Changes to Postmark Application Process – per the Department of Revenue (DOR)
In August 2025, the USPS moved the postmark process from local application to regional sorting centers.
Postmark date and property tax payments are timely if:
- Payments are received by the proper official
- Within 5 working day grace period – 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.)