Editor,
Property taxpayers should have received their 2017 tax bills. If not, contact your county or local treasurer. Remember, state law states you must pay your taxes and pay them on time even if you did not receive a tax bill.

The Oneida County Treasurer’s Office can be reached at 715-369-6137; the 2017 county tax information, including the tax bill, is online at www.co.oneida.wi.gov. Click on ‘Tax and Permit Search,’ located in the center of the screen to access the information. Municipal treasurers will update the county website with payments they have received.

The Vilas County Treasurer’s Office can be reached at 715-479-3609. To obtain an original copy of the tax bill visit the Vilas County Treasurer website at www.vilascountywi.gov. 2017 tax payments are updated nightly.

The first installment listed on the tax bill must be paid on or before Jan. 31 to your local town/city treasurer. Make the check and the envelope out to your municipality. We receive payments made to the municipality, but mailed to the county, which we cannot apply. Payments will be sent to the municipality before Jan. 31. If you miss the payment deadline, or pay less than the amount due, your taxes will be delinquent and you will be charged interest and possibly penalty each month on the total unpaid tax amount. More importantly, you lose the option of making your second half payment in July.

We have received inquiries on prepaying 2018 taxes. The earliest you can prepay that property tax bill is Aug. 1, 2018. It would be paid to the municipal treasurer and it cannot be any higher than the previous (2017) tax bill.

Now is also the time to verify you are certified for the Lottery and Gaming Credit. Please check your tax bill. The amount of the Lottery and Gaming Credit appears in the middle of your tax bill, right above the net property tax calculation. If you have not received the lottery credit and meet the requirements, contact your local treasurer for a claim form or go to the county website and look for Treasurer’s Department. The form must be signed and returned to your local treasurer before you can be certified and receive the credit. You are only allowed one credit. Eligible property must have been owned by you and was your primary residence on Jan. 1, 2017. This form must be in the hands of the local treasurer by Jan. 31 to receive the credit off the current tax bill.
Kris Ostermann, Oneida County treasurer
Jerri Radtke, Vilas County treasurer