Wisconsin
Checked against official sources on 2026-10-29. Each statement is tied to the statute or agency page listed under Sources.
Not legal or financial advice. Rules change. Confirm with the county before you bid.
- Sale type
- Tax deed
Statute text
vest in the county an absolute estate in fee simple in such land subject, however, to recorded restrictions and redemption as provided in this chapter
- Interest / penalty
- N/ACounty sells land it took by tax deed; at the first attempt, bids below appraised value are rejected
Statute text
vest in the county an absolute estate in fee simple in such land subject, however, to recorded restrictions and redemption as provided in this chapter
Statute text
Any county may accept the bid most advantageous to it but, at the first attempt to sell the property, every bid less than the appraised value of the property shall be rejected.
- Redemption
- Until the county's tax deed is recorded (county may take the deed 2 years after the tax certificate)
Statute text
Any person, prior to the recording of a tax deed based on a tax certificate issued on land for nonpayment of taxes, may redeem the land described in the tax certificate.
- Bid method
- County may accept the bid most advantageous to it
Statute text
Any county may accept the bid most advantageous to it but, at the first attempt to sell the property, every bid less than the appraised value of the property shall be rejected.
- Statute
- Wis. Stat. §§ 74.57, 75.35, 75.69
Statute text
no tax delinquent real estate acquired by a county may be sold unless the sale and appraised value of such real estate has first been advertised by publishing on the county's website
- Auction platform
- County sale, advertised on the county's website with the appraised value
Statute text
no tax delinquent real estate acquired by a county may be sold unless the sale and appraised value of such real estate has first been advertised by publishing on the county's website
- Auction timing
- Set by each county; the sale must be advertised within 180 days after the county acquires the property (240 days before 2026)
Statute text
no later than 240 days after the county acquires the property or, beginning in 2026, no later than 180 days after the county acquires the property.
Counties 72
- Tax lien
- Tax deed
- Hybrid
- Redeemable deed
Summary
Wisconsin counties sell land they took by tax deed, which they may take two years after the tax certificate. Statute: WS §74.57.
Statute text
Two years after the issuance of the tax certificate, unless s. 74.59 (2) or 75.03 applies, the county is entitled, as to any property included in the tax certificate which has not been redeemed, to do any of the following:
Statute text
Issuance of a tax certificate commences the redemption period on all real property included in the tax certificate
Wisconsin issues tax certificates only to the county; if the property is not redeemed within two years, the county may take a tax deed and later sell the land. There is no post-sale redemption. WS §74.57.
Statute text
Two years after the issuance of the tax certificate, unless s. 74.59 (2) or 75.03 applies, the county is entitled, as to any property included in the tax certificate which has not been redeemed, to do any of the following:
Statute text
Any person, prior to the recording of a tax deed based on a tax certificate issued on land for nonpayment of taxes, may redeem the land described in the tax certificate.
Statute text
Issuance of a tax certificate commences the redemption period on all real property included in the tax certificate
Wisconsin is a deed state with no statutory interest rate. The county may accept the bid most advantageous to it, but rejects bids below appraised value at the first attempt. WS §74.57.
Statute text
vest in the county an absolute estate in fee simple in such land subject, however, to recorded restrictions and redemption as provided in this chapter
Statute text
Any county may accept the bid most advantageous to it but, at the first attempt to sell the property, every bid less than the appraised value of the property shall be rejected.
Statute text
Issuance of a tax certificate commences the redemption period on all real property included in the tax certificate
Los condados de Wisconsin venden terrenos que tomaron por escritura fiscal, la cual pueden tomar dos años después del certificado fiscal. Estatuto: WS §74.57.
Statute text
Two years after the issuance of the tax certificate, unless s. 74.59 (2) or 75.03 applies, the county is entitled, as to any property included in the tax certificate which has not been redeemed, to do any of the following:
Statute text
Issuance of a tax certificate commences the redemption period on all real property included in the tax certificate
Wisconsin emite certificados fiscales solo al condado; si la propiedad no se redime en dos años, el condado puede tomar una escritura fiscal y luego vender el terreno (WS §74.57).
Statute text
Two years after the issuance of the tax certificate, unless s. 74.59 (2) or 75.03 applies, the county is entitled, as to any property included in the tax certificate which has not been redeemed, to do any of the following:
No se aplica tasa de interés ya que es un estado de escritura. El condado puede aceptar la oferta más ventajosa, pero rechaza las ofertas por debajo del valor tasado en el primer intento (WS §74.57).
Statute text
vest in the county an absolute estate in fee simple in such land subject, however, to recorded restrictions and redemption as provided in this chapter
Statute text
Any county may accept the bid most advantageous to it but, at the first attempt to sell the property, every bid less than the appraised value of the property shall be rejected.
Key points
- Each county sells its tax-deeded land on terms set by its county board
Statute text
any county shall have the power to sell and convey its tax-deeded lands in such manner and upon such terms as the county board may by ordinance or resolution determine.
- The county's tax deed vests fee simple title, subject to recorded restrictions
Statute text
vest in the county an absolute estate in fee simple in such land subject, however, to recorded restrictions and redemption as provided in this chapter
For beginners
Harder for beginners: Counties sell only land they took by tax deed, each on its own terms, after a 2-year redemption period.
Statute text
any county shall have the power to sell and convey its tax-deeded lands in such manner and upon such terms as the county board may by ordinance or resolution determine.
Más difícil para principiantes: Los condados venden solo terrenos que tomaron por escritura fiscal, cada uno en sus propios términos, tras un período de redención de 2 años.
Statute text
any county shall have the power to sell and convey its tax-deeded lands in such manner and upon such terms as the county board may by ordinance or resolution determine.
Risks
- The county may take a tax deed only two years after the tax certificate
Statute text
Two years after the issuance of the tax certificate, unless s. 74.59 (2) or 75.03 applies, the county is entitled, as to any property included in the tax certificate which has not been redeemed, to do any of the following:
- Each county sells under its own ordinance or resolution
Statute text
any county shall have the power to sell and convey its tax-deeded lands in such manner and upon such terms as the county board may by ordinance or resolution determine.
- Former owners of single-family, owner-occupied homes have a right to repurchase before the county sells
Statute text
The county board shall, for single-family, owner-occupied properties, and may, at its option, for all other properties, by ordinance provide that prior to the sale of tax-deeded lands, the former owner who lost his or her title through delinquent tax collection enforcement procedure
- El condado puede tomar una escritura fiscal solo dos años después del certificado fiscal
Statute text
Two years after the issuance of the tax certificate, unless s. 74.59 (2) or 75.03 applies, the county is entitled, as to any property included in the tax certificate which has not been redeemed, to do any of the following:
- Cada condado vende según su propia ordenanza o resolución
Statute text
any county shall have the power to sell and convey its tax-deeded lands in such manner and upon such terms as the county board may by ordinance or resolution determine.
- Los antiguos propietarios de viviendas unifamiliares ocupadas por el dueño tienen derecho a recomprar antes de que el condado venda
Statute text
The county board shall, for single-family, owner-occupied properties, and may, at its option, for all other properties, by ordinance provide that prior to the sale of tax-deeded lands, the former owner who lost his or her title through delinquent tax collection enforcement procedure
Extra due diligence
- Confirm the county's tax deed is recorded; owners may redeem until then
Statute text
Any person, prior to the recording of a tax deed based on a tax certificate issued on land for nonpayment of taxes, may redeem the land described in the tax certificate.
- Check the county's website for its sale notice and appraised value
Statute text
no tax delinquent real estate acquired by a county may be sold unless the sale and appraised value of such real estate has first been advertised by publishing on the county's website
- Confirme que la escritura fiscal del condado está registrada; los propietarios pueden redimir hasta entonces
Statute text
Any person, prior to the recording of a tax deed based on a tax certificate issued on land for nonpayment of taxes, may redeem the land described in the tax certificate.
- Revise el sitio web del condado para su aviso de venta y el valor tasado
Statute text
no tax delinquent real estate acquired by a county may be sold unless the sale and appraised value of such real estate has first been advertised by publishing on the county's website
How to sign up for the auction
Platform: County (sale terms set by the county board)
Statute text
any county shall have the power to sell and convey its tax-deeded lands in such manner and upon such terms as the county board may by ordinance or resolution determine.
- Find your target county's sale notice on its website
Statute text
no tax delinquent real estate acquired by a county may be sold unless the sale and appraised value of such real estate has first been advertised by publishing on the county's website
- Check the appraised value; at the first attempt, lower bids are rejected
Statute text
Any county may accept the bid most advantageous to it but, at the first attempt to sell the property, every bid less than the appraised value of the property shall be rejected.
- Follow the county's sale terms, set by its county board
Statute text
any county shall have the power to sell and convey its tax-deeded lands in such manner and upon such terms as the county board may by ordinance or resolution determine.
Deposit: Set by each county's sale terms; confirm with the county.
Statute text
any county shall have the power to sell and convey its tax-deeded lands in such manner and upon such terms as the county board may by ordinance or resolution determine.
Platform: Condado (términos de venta fijados por la junta del condado)
Statute text
any county shall have the power to sell and convey its tax-deeded lands in such manner and upon such terms as the county board may by ordinance or resolution determine.
- Encuentre el aviso de venta de su condado objetivo en su sitio web
Statute text
no tax delinquent real estate acquired by a county may be sold unless the sale and appraised value of such real estate has first been advertised by publishing on the county's website
- Revise el valor tasado; en el primer intento, las ofertas menores se rechazan
Statute text
Any county may accept the bid most advantageous to it but, at the first attempt to sell the property, every bid less than the appraised value of the property shall be rejected.
- Siga los términos de venta del condado, fijados por su junta
Statute text
any county shall have the power to sell and convey its tax-deeded lands in such manner and upon such terms as the county board may by ordinance or resolution determine.
Depósito: Fijado por los términos de venta de cada condado; confirme con el condado.
Statute text
any county shall have the power to sell and convey its tax-deeded lands in such manner and upon such terms as the county board may by ordinance or resolution determine.
Over the counter (OTC)
Yes: previously advertised land may later be sold for any amount
Statute text
Any county is authorized to sell for any amount any land previously advertised for sale after advertising the sale of such land by publication of a class 1 notice
Ask the county about previously advertised land it has not sold.
Statute text
Any county is authorized to sell for any amount any land previously advertised for sale after advertising the sale of such land by publication of a class 1 notice
Pregunte al condado por terrenos anunciados previamente que no ha vendido.
Statute text
Any county is authorized to sell for any amount any land previously advertised for sale after advertising the sale of such land by publication of a class 1 notice
Platforms
- County board or the committee it delegates
Statute text
The county board may delegate its power to manage and sell tax-deeded lands to a committee
Surplus proceeds
When a county sells tax-deeded land, remaining net proceeds go to the former owner (Wis. Stat. § 75.36(3)(c)).
Statute text
Distribute any remaining net proceeds to the former owner, as provided under sub. (2m).
La lista de condados y las fuentes están en inglés.
Sources
- Wis. Stat. § 75.14(1) — checked 2026-10-29
- Wis. Stat. § 75.69(1) — checked 2026-10-29
- Wis. Stat. § 75.01(1)(b) — checked 2026-10-29
- Wis. Stat. § 74.57(2)(b) — checked 2026-10-29
- Wis. Stat. § 74.57 — checked 2026-10-29
- Wis. Stat. § 75.35(2)(am) — checked 2026-10-29
- Wis. Stat. § 75.35(3) — checked 2026-10-29
- Wis. Stat. § 75.35(2)(d) — checked 2026-10-29
- Wis. Stat. § 75.36(3)(c) — checked 2026-10-29
Checked against official sources on 2026-10-29. Each statement is tied to the statute or agency page listed under Sources.
County records come from the directory's research files (dated where shown). Always confirm dates, deposits and rules with the county office before you bid. Report an error.
Not legal or financial advice. Rules change. Confirm with the county before you bid.