Editor:
Property taxpayers should have received their 2018 tax bills. If you did not receive your tax bill, you should contact your county or your local treasurer.

Oneida County treasurer’s office can be reached at 715-369-6137. Remember, state law states you must pay your taxes and pay them on time even if you did not receive a tax bill. You can also find the 2018 Oneida County tax information, including the tax bill, on the Oneida County website. Go to www.co.oneida.wi.us. Click on “tax, parcel, permit, and deed search,” located on the left side of the screen to access the information. Municipal treasurers will update county website with payments they have received.

Vilas County treasurer’s office can be reached at 715-479-3609. Vilas County tax information is available on the county website at www.vilascountywi.gov. Go to the Treasurer Department to view tax information and reprint a copy of your tax bill. Tax payments are updated nightly.

You must pay at least the first installment listed on the tax bill 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 if you pay less than the amount due, your taxes will be delinquent. You will be charged interest and possibly penalty each month on the total unpaid tax amount if you miss this payment. More importantly, however, you lose the option of making your second half payment in July.

Now is also the time to be sure 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 who will see that you receive a claim form or go to wi.gov to obtain a copy of the lottery and gaming credit application. You must sign and return the form to your local treasurer before you can be certified for and receive the credit. You are only allowed one credit. It must be property that was owned by you and was your primary residence on Jan. 1, 2018, to be eligible for the credit. 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