City of Milwaukee and Milwaukee County certify new sales taxes

MADISON — The Wisconsin Department of Revenue (DOR) announces it received certified ordinances from both the city of Milwaukee and Milwaukee County, regarding their approval of new sales and use taxes as authorized by 2023 Wisconsin Act 12.

The Milwaukee Common Council voted on July 11, 2023, to approve the new city tax, and subsequently sent its certification to DOR.   The Milwaukee County Board voted on July 27, 2023, to approve the additional county tax, and subsequently sent its certification to DOR.

Both certifications were received before the statutory deadline in order to begin the tax on January 1, 2024.

Wisconsin Act 12, bipartisan legislation passed earlier this year, addressed the need for increased revenue and funding for local government services. Part of that legislation allowed for a new tax and a tax increase in the city of Milwaukee and Milwaukee County, respectively.

It authorized the city of Milwaukee to enact a two percent sales and use tax by ordinance if approved by two-thirds majority vote of all members elect of the Milwaukee Common Council. Furthermore, it authorized Milwaukee County to enact an additional 0.4 percent sales and use tax by ordinance if approved by a two-thirds majority vote of all members elect of the Milwaukee County Board.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.