Frequently Asked Questions

The City of Middleton’s 2026 budget (for the 2025 tax year) includes a small 2.2% increase to the mill rate. This increase helps the City keep up with the rising cost of providing everyday services that residents rely on. Prices have gone up for things like fuel, electricity, technology, equipment, and professional services. Major departments—such as Police, Fire/EMS, Public Works, Parks & Recreation, and Administrative Services—are all seeing normal inflation-related increases that make it more expensive to maintain the same level of service. While the City does receive money from the state and from user fees, those sources don’t fully cover the cost of running a growing community.

Property taxes for the City of Middleton represent about 30% of the total tax bill. The City also collects property taxes for the school district, county, and technical college. Approximately 50% of the tax bill is for the school district. There is information on the property tax bill and an insert showing the amount of tax and the percent change for each taxing jurisdiction.

If you would like the property tax records to reflect a change of name, you will need to record documentation with the Dane County Register of Deeds.

Receipts of property tax payments are available online within three business days after the City receives your payment. Visit Access Dane accessdane.danecounty.gov to print copies of your tax bills and receipts. Tax receipts will no longer be sent by mail.

You are if the property is your primary residence and if you or the previous owner have owned and lived in the home since January 1st of the current tax year. If the lottery credit is not on your tax bill, please request a Lottery Credit Claim Form from the Wisconsin Department of Revenue website before you pay your taxes.

The 1st Dollar Credit is a credit on your property tax bill for any real estate parcel on which at least one improvement by the land owner is located. The credit should be automatically applied to all qualifying properties. This value is calculated every year by the Department of Revenue after considering the projected number of claims and school property tax rates (for K-8, Union High, and K-12 school districts).

Your tax bill is mailed in mid-December of each year. At least the 1st installment must be paid by January 31st. The 1st installment includes 1/2 of your property taxes, and 100% of any special charges. The 2nd installment is due by July 31st of each year to the Dane County Treasurer's office.

If your mortgage escrow check is larger than the amount of your tax bill you will be issued a refund check. Refunds are generally issued within 30 days of payment

If your mortgage escrow check is made payable to both you and the City of Middleton, you must endorse it. All parties on the check must sign it before it can be deposited.

The tax rate is the same for all Middleton Cross Plains Area School District properties. It is based on the tax levies required by the state, county, city, school district, and Madison Area Technical College. The total taxes are divided by the city's total assessed value to determine the tax rate.