Wisconsin Tax Sale Laws — Investor Guide

The government transfers the deed directly to the winning bidder at auction.

Redemption Period

No redemption period

Max Interest Rate

N/A

IRS Lien Survives

Yes — verify before bidding

Foreclosure Required

Quiet Title Required

Yes

Counties Covered

72 counties

Quiet Title Required in Wisconsin

Before a title insurer will issue a policy on a tax deed property in Wisconsin, you'll need to complete a quiet title action.

$1,500–$5,000

Legal Fees

6–18 mo

Timeline

How Tax Sales Work in Wisconsin

Wisconsin is a tax deed state. After 2 years of delinquency, the county may take a tax deed. The county then auctions the property. The winning bidder receives a county deed. There is no post-sale redemption right. Quiet title is recommended. IRS liens survive if the IRS was not properly notified.

Quick Due Diligence Checklist for Wisconsin

Verify property is still on the auction list within 48 hours of sale (redemptions happen until the last minute)

Check for federal IRS liens — they survive the tax sale in Wisconsin

Search for HOA liens and municipal code violations — these may survive in some counties

Budget for foreclosure costs — required in Wisconsin to convert a lien to deed

Budget for quiet title action — required in Wisconsin before title insurance will issue

Drive the property or use street view to confirm structure exists and is accessible

Verify assessed value vs. back taxes owed — if taxes exceed assessed value, it may be a junk property

Source: Wis. Stat. §75.01 et seq. · Verified: January 2025 · Always verify current laws directly with the Wisconsin state statutes and your county treasurer. This is not legal or investment advice.

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