Taxes in Madison, Wisconsin
Complete tax guide for Madison, WI. State income tax up to 7.65%, 1.78% property tax, 5.5% sales tax. Calculate your total tax burden.
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Taxes in Madison, WI: income, FICA, property, and sales tax
For wage-income planning, this page estimates federal income tax, Wisconsin state income tax, and FICA. It also shows property-tax and sales-tax estimates because local household tax burden depends on address-level property assessments, sales-tax districts, exemptions, and item categories.
State Income Tax
7.65%
Wisconsin
Property Tax
1.78%
Effective rate
Sales Tax
5.5%
Combined rate
Tax Burden
Very High
Madison, WI Tax Overview
State capital; University of Wisconsin; very high quality of life
Population
269,840
Median Income
$71,818
Cost of Living
106.5 (100 = avg)
State Income Tax
7.65%
Median Home Price
$345,000
Madison Tax Calculator
Pre-filled with Madison median: $71,818
Total Tax Burden in Madison
$17,958
Take-Home: $53,860 · Effective Rate: 25.01%
Federal Tax
$6,970
9.71% eff.
WI State
$5,494
7.65% eff.
FICA
$5,494
7.65% eff.
Take-Home
$53,860
74.99% kept
Tax Breakdown
| Item | Annual | Monthly |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Income | $71,818.00 | $5,984.83 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$6,969.96 | -$580.83 |
| Wisconsin State Tax | -$5,494.08 | -$457.84 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$4,452.72 | -$371.06 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$1,041.36 | -$86.78 |
| Take-Home Pay | $53,859.89 | $4,488.32 |
Property Tax in Madison
Median Home
$345,000
Annual Tax
$6,141
Monthly Tax
$512
Effective Rate
1.78%
Sales Tax in Madison
Combined Rate
5.5%
State Portion
~3.0%
Local Portion
~2.5%
The combined sales tax rate in Madison is 5.5%, which is below the national average of 7.12%. On a $100 purchase, you would pay $5.50 in sales tax.
Sales and use tax can vary by exact address, district, item category, exemptions, and effective date. Treat this city rate as a planning estimate and verify large purchases with the official state sales-tax lookup or local tax authority.
Tax Burden Comparison
| Tax Type | Madison | Wisconsin Avg | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Income Tax | 7.65% | 7.65% | 4.6% |
| Property Tax | 1.78% | ~1.78% | 1.1% |
| Sales Tax | 5.5% | ~5.5% | 7.12% |
| Overall Burden | Very High | — | Moderate |
About Taxes in Madison
Madison has a population of approximately 269,840 residents with a median household income of $71,818. The cost of living index is 106.5 (6.5% higher than the national average of 100).
Local context: State capital; University of Wisconsin; very high quality of life
Tax burden classification: Very High. Effective combined tax rate of 34.3% includes federal, state, FICA, property, and sales taxes for a typical Madison household.
Official Tax Resources for Wisconsin
For authoritative Wisconsin tax forms, filing deadlines, and the latest legislative updates, consult these official government resources:
- Wisconsin Department of Revenue — official state revenue agency
- Wisconsin Individual Income Tax Forms — current tax year forms and instructions
- IRS Federal Tax Forms and Instructions — federal income tax filing
Tax Saving Tips for Madison Residents
- Wisconsin's income tax rate of 7.65% is above average. Maximize pre-tax retirement contributions (401k up to $24,500, IRA up to $7,500) to reduce both federal and state taxable income.
- Property tax in Madison (1.78%) is above the national average. Check if you qualify for homestead exemptions or assessment appeals to reduce your property tax bill.
- Use a Health Savings Account (HSA) if eligible. Contributions are tax-deductible ($4,400 individual, $8,750 family), growth is tax-free, and withdrawals for medical expenses are tax-free.
Find Your Local Tax Authority in Madison
The 1.78% property tax rate shown above is a city-profile effective estimate. Your actual Madison property tax bill is set by your county assessor and may include additional levies from your school district, municipal utility district (MUD), or special assessment district. Use these official lookup tools to confirm exact rates for your specific address:
Look up the county your Madison address belongs to and find your assessor's office:
- • NACo County Explorer — search by address
- • USA.gov — Wisconsin local govt directory
School districts add their own millage rate to property tax:
- • NCES District Locator — federal database
- • NCES School Locator (EDGE)
Municipal Utility Districts and special assessment districts are common in fast-growing Wisconsin suburbs:
- • Census — Census of Governments
- • Check your tax bill for line items beyond county + school district
Disagree with your assessment? You can appeal:
- • Property Tax Appeal Guide
- • Most counties allow 30-60 days post-assessment to file appeal
Why this matters: Two homes valued the same in Madison can pay different property tax depending on which school district + MUD they fall within. Always verify with your specific address — the address-level rate may be 10-30% higher than the city average shown here.
Other Cities in Wisconsin
Milwaukee
ModerateGreen Bay
HighKenosha
HighRacine
ModerateAppleton
HighWaukesha
HighEau Claire
HighOshkosh
ModerateSources & Methodology
Tax rate data on this page is compiled from official government sources and updated for the 2026 tax year. Calculations follow the IRS-published 2026 federal tax brackets, FICA rates (6.2% Social Security up to $184,500 wage base, 1.45% Medicare), and Wisconsin state tax provisions. Property tax estimates use Madison's median home value of $345,000and the local effective property tax rate of 1.78%.
- • Federal tax brackets and standard deductions: IRS.gov
- • State income tax rates and brackets: Wisconsin Department of Revenue
- • Median household income, home value, and demographics: U.S. Census Bureau ACS
- • Cost of living comparisons: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics CES
- • National average benchmarks: Tax Foundation state-level tax burden studies
Disclaimer: Estimates are for informational purposes only. Actual tax liability depends on filing status, deductions, credits, and individual circumstances. Consult a licensed tax professional or your state revenue agency for binding tax guidance.
Reviewed by LevyIO Tax Research Team · Published 2026-01-15 · Last updated 2026-05-27
Calculate Your Full Wisconsin Tax Burden
See detailed state tax brackets, FICA breakdown, and compare to neighboring states.
Reviewed data sources
Reviewed May 27, 2026. Calculations use current public tax guidance and published source data.
1. Enter the tax scenario
Use the filing status, income type, state, payroll, deduction, credit, or transaction details that match the real case.
2. Review assumptions
Check the visible formula context, source notes, related calculators, and federal or state limits before relying on the estimate.
3. Verify before filing
Confirm final tax positions with IRS guidance, state revenue agencies, payroll records, brokerage forms, or a qualified tax professional.
Planning estimate, not tax advice
LevyIO calculators are educational planning tools. Actual federal, state, payroll, property, sales, and local tax results can change with filing status, credits, deductions, residency, employer withholding, address-level rates, and current forms. Verify final filing positions with IRS or state guidance, payroll records, tax software, or a qualified tax professional.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the tax rates in Madison, WI?
Madison, Wisconsin has a state income tax rate up to 7.65%. The property tax rate is 1.78% and the combined sales tax rate is 5.5%. State capital; University of Wisconsin; very high quality of life
How much is property tax in Madison?
The effective property tax rate in Madison is 1.78%. On the median home price of $345,000, this equals approximately $6,141 per year or $512 per month. This is above the national average of 1.1%.
What is the sales tax rate in Madison?
The combined sales tax rate in Madison is 5.5%, which includes both state and local components. This is below the national average combined rate of approximately 7.12%.
How does Madison's tax burden compare to other cities?
Madison has a very high overall tax burden. The effective total tax rate for a median-income household is approximately 34.3%. The combination of 7.65% state income tax, 1.78% property tax, and 5.5% sales tax determines the total burden. Cost of living index is 106.5 (100 = national average).
Are there any local taxes in Madison?
Madison does not impose a separate local or city income tax. Residents pay the state income tax of 7.65%, federal income tax, and FICA (Social Security and Medicare). State capital; University of Wisconsin; very high quality of life