Taxes in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin
Complete tax guide for Wauwatosa, WI. State income tax up to 6.27%, 1.74% property tax, 5.96% sales tax. Calculate your total tax burden.
Answer first
Taxes in Wauwatosa, 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
6.27%
Wisconsin
Property Tax
1.74%
Effective rate
Sales Tax
5.96%
Combined rate
Tax Burden
High
Wauwatosa, WI Tax Overview
Population
48,143
Median Income
$56,600
Cost of Living
85.7 (100 = avg)
State Income Tax
6.27%
Median Home Price
$225,000
Wauwatosa Tax Calculator
Pre-filled with Wauwatosa median: $56,600
Total Tax Burden in Wauwatosa
$12,491
Take-Home: $44,109 · Effective Rate: 22.07%
Federal Tax
$4,612
8.15% eff.
WI State
$3,549
6.27% eff.
FICA
$4,330
7.65% eff.
Take-Home
$44,109
77.93% kept
Tax Breakdown
| Item | Annual | Monthly |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Income | $56,600.00 | $4,716.67 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$4,612.00 | -$384.33 |
| Wisconsin State Tax | -$3,548.82 | -$295.73 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$3,509.20 | -$292.43 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$820.70 | -$68.39 |
| Take-Home Pay | $44,109.28 | $3,675.77 |
Property Tax in Wauwatosa
Median Home
$225,000
Annual Tax
$3,915
Monthly Tax
$326
Effective Rate
1.74%
Sales Tax in Wauwatosa
Combined Rate
5.96%
State Portion
~3.5%
Local Portion
~2.5%
The combined sales tax rate in Wauwatosa is 5.96%, which is below the national average of 7.12%. On a $100 purchase, you would pay $5.96 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 | Wauwatosa | Wisconsin Avg | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Income Tax | 6.27% | 6.27% | 4.6% |
| Property Tax | 1.74% | ~1.74% | 1.1% |
| Sales Tax | 5.96% | ~5.96% | 7.12% |
| Overall Burden | High | — | Moderate |
About Taxes in Wauwatosa
Wauwatosa has a population of approximately 48,143 residents with a median household income of $56,600. The cost of living index is 85.7 (14.3% lower than the national average of 100).
Tax burden classification: High. Effective combined tax rate of 30.2% includes federal, state, FICA, property, and sales taxes for a typical Wauwatosa 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 Wauwatosa Residents
- Wisconsin's income tax rate of 6.27% 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 Wauwatosa (1.74%) 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 Wauwatosa
The 1.74% property tax rate shown above is a city-profile effective estimate. Your actual Wauwatosa 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 Wauwatosa 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 Wauwatosa 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
ModerateMadison
Very HighGreen 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 Wauwatosa's median home value of $225,000and the local effective property tax rate of 1.74%.
- • 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 Wauwatosa, WI?
Wauwatosa, Wisconsin has a state income tax rate up to 6.27%. The property tax rate is 1.74% and the combined sales tax rate is 5.96%.
How much is property tax in Wauwatosa?
The effective property tax rate in Wauwatosa is 1.74%. On the median home price of $225,000, this equals approximately $3,915 per year or $326 per month. This is above the national average of 1.1%.
What is the sales tax rate in Wauwatosa?
The combined sales tax rate in Wauwatosa is 5.96%, which includes both state and local components. This is below the national average combined rate of approximately 7.12%.
How does Wauwatosa's tax burden compare to other cities?
Wauwatosa has a high overall tax burden. The effective total tax rate for a median-income household is approximately 30.2%. The combination of 6.27% state income tax, 1.74% property tax, and 5.96% sales tax determines the total burden. Cost of living index is 85.7 (100 = national average).
Are there any local taxes in Wauwatosa?
Wauwatosa does not impose a separate local or city income tax. Residents pay the state income tax of 6.27%, federal income tax, and FICA (Social Security and Medicare).