Changes to Postmark Application Process

In August 2025, the United States Postal Service (USPS) moved the postmark process from local application to regional sorting centers.

How this affects you:

• USPS postmark change has raised concerns about the timeliness of property tax payments 
• We recommend mailing payments earlier than usual

Postmark date and property tax payment timeliness:

• Payments received by the proper official:
  • Within the five working day grace period – are considered timely, regardless of postmark (secs. 74.11, and 74.12, Wis. Stats.)
  • After the grace period – must be properly addressed and postmarked before midnight of the due date to be considered timely (sec. 74.69(1), Wis. Stats.)

• Late payments – may be considered timely if the delay was due to a USPS delay or administrative error (sec. 74.69(2), Wis. Stats.)

County determination of postal service delay

Under state law:

• A taxpayer may file a written request with the county treasurer requesting the county board determine their payment as timely (sec. 74.69(3)(b), Wis. Stats.)
• County board makes the determination to consider the late payment as timely if the sole reason the payment was not timely is due to a USPS delay or administrative error (sec. 74.69(3)(c), Wis. Stats.)