Attention Taxpayers
Re: Important Update on USPS Postmark Changes and Affects to the Timeliness of your Property Tax Payments.
Effective December 24, 2025, the United States Postal Service (USPS) is moving the postmark process from local application to regional sorting centers.
The USPS postmark change has raised concerns about the timeliness of property tax payments and the DOR encourages property taxpayers to mail payments earlier than usual.
Property Tax Payments are Due January 31, 2026. If the payment is received in February the following procedures are used to determine whether or not the payment was made timely:
- Within the five working day grace period – are considered timely, regardless of postmark (secs. 74.11, and 74.12, Wis. Stats.)
- After the grace period – must be properly addressed and postmarked before midnight on the due date (January 31) to be considered timely (sec. 74.69(1), Wis. Stats.)
- Late payments – may be considered timely if the delay was due to a USPS delay or administrative error (sec. 74.69(2), Wis. Stats.)
Under state law:
- A taxpayer may file a written request with the county treasurer requesting the county board determine their payment as timely (sec. 74.69(3)(b), Wis. Stats.)
- County board makes the determination to consider the late payment as timely if the sole reason the payment was not timely is due to a USPS delay or administrative error (sec. 74.69(3)(c), Wis. Stats.)
Suggestions to ensure your payment is timely:
- Mail tax payments early
- Place payment in one of our two Drop Boxes located at City Administration Offices (311 Seymour Ct.) or Matheson Memorial Library (101 N Wisconsin)
Pay Online via ACH or Debit/Credit Card https://ascent.co.walworth.wi.us/LandRecords