Veterans and Surviving Spouses Property Tax Credit
Who qualifies
- Income
- No income limit for this credit.
- VA disability
- At least 100% service-connected disability
- Ownership
- Claimant must own and use the property as their principal dwelling.
- Residency
- Veteran must have been a Wisconsin resident at the time of entry into active service OR have resided in Wisconsin for any five consecutive years after entering active duty, and must currently be a Wisconsin resident for purposes of receiving veterans benefits. Surviving-spouse residency is measured through the deceased veteran.
How much it saves
Worked example — a $300,000 home at Wisconsin's median effective rate (~1.44%):
Your county's rate differs — use the calculator for a figure tuned to where you live.
How to apply
- Application required: Yes
- Deadline: Claimed on the Wisconsin income tax return for the tax year (Schedule VP), generally due April 15; WDVA eligibility verification must be attached the first year claimed.
- Renewal: annual — The credit is claimed each year on the Wisconsin income tax return. Eligibility verification is obtained once from the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs (via a County or Tribal Veterans Service Officer) and attached to the first year's return; it need not be resubmitted unless eligibility changes.
Combining with other exemptions
Wisconsin's other statewide property-tax relief (the School Levy Tax Credit, the Lottery and Gaming Credit, and the income-based Homestead Credit) are separate mechanisms; the income-based Homestead Credit is a rebate outside the assessed-value exemption model and is omitted here.
Amount cross-checked against a second official artifact: dva.wi.gov/services/housing-and-financial-services/property-tax-credit/.
Informational only — not legal or tax advice. Exemption rules and amounts are summarized from official statutes and state tax-agency sources as of each program's verified date and can change by legislative session. Dollar figures are estimates derived from Census ACS county tax data, not actual bills. Confirm your eligibility and current amounts with your county assessor before relying on anything here.