Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) for Property Tax Installment Payment Plan
All property tax levy accounts that qualify for the installment payment plan under Wisconsin State Statutes and City of Milwaukee Ordinances are eligible for electronic funds transfer (EFT) for payment of the property taxes due on the installment payment plan.
To qualify for the installment plan, total real estate property taxes must be or exceed $100. For personal property taxes, the total City amount due must be or exceed $100. If you elect to pay under the installment plan, the first installment must be paid on or before January 31st. All subsequent installment payments must be paid on or before the last day of the month due. The first time an installment is missed or underpaid, the account can be reinstated by paying the missed or underpaid amount due plus 1% interest, along with the following month's installment payment in full. However, if a second installment payment is missed or underpaid, the entire balance becomes delinquent and interest will be charged at the rate of 1% per month from February 1st through the month paid, plus a penalty of ½% per month.
The City Treasurer will debit the checking or savings accounts of taxpayers enrolled in the EFT installment payment program for the monthly installments due each month. The installment tax payments due each month will be debited to taxpayers' checking or savings accounts on the due date. The transfer of funds to the City Treasurer will not occur if there are insufficient funds in a taxpayer's checking or savings account. Once enrolled in the EFT installment payment plan, a taxpayer's authorization will remain in effect and shall apply to subsequent tax levy years until the City Treasurer receives a written notification from the taxpayer terminating the authorization. Written cancellation of an authorization must be received by the 15th of the month in which you want to terminate your participation in the EFT installment payment plan.
Taxpayers enrolled in the EFT installment payment plan will receive monthly installment tax bills, via the U.S. Mail that delineate the payment amounts and dates due on which the taxpayers' checking or savings accounts will be debited for the payments due. Remember that the transfer of funds to the City Treasurer will not occur if there are insufficient funds in a taxpayer's checking or savings account. Taxpayers enrolled in the EFT installment payment plan are responsible for assuring sufficient funds are in their checking or savings accounts on the dates their accounts will be debited for the taxes due. Failure to pay the property taxes when due will result in the accrual of interest and penalty charges as noted above.
To enroll in the EFT installment payment program, please complete and sign the authorization Electronic Funds Transfer Form (in PDF format) and return it prior to the 15th of the month to assure the current month's installment tax payment due can be debited to your checking or savings account on the due date. Please return the form in an envelope along with a voided check, if the debit will be made to a checking account, or a voided deposit slip, if the debit will be made to a savings account.
You will receive a letter from this office to confirm your enrollment in the EFT installment payment program.
Pursuant to the Milwaukee Code of Ordinances, Section 81-19.5, any tax payment transaction that is returned by the bank for any reason will be assessed a $35 fee, which will be added to your tax account balance.
Questions on the EFT installment payment program should be directed to the Customer Services Division at 414-286-2240.
Note: In order to print an Electronic Funds Transfer Form, you must download and install Adobe Acrobat Reader.