What defines real estate taxes?

Definition of real property. "Real property", "real estate" and "land" include not only the land itself but all buildings and improvements thereon, and all fixtures and rights and privileges appertaining thereto.

Tax bills are mailed to the owner(s) on record for Real Estate property in the City of Oak Creek. If you are not the owner of the property described on the bill you receive, please forward it to the owner or return it to the City Treasurer’s Office. For any properties sold or titles recorded after October, we will make every attempt to forward current tax bills to new owners. If you are the current owner of property in the City of Oak Creek and did not receive a tax bill, it is your responsibility to find out the amount of property tax due and when the tax bill needs to be paid. To find out how much you owe – you may check our land records web site, or contact City Hall.

Check(s)

• Should be made payable to City of Oak Creek.
• Personal Checks must include Name & Address. Include a phone number; if we need to resolve a problem with your check and are unable to reach you by phone, your check will be returned to you, your payment will be invalid and you may become delinquent.
• Checks are processed and deposited as quickly as possible.
• The City reserves the right to reject any and all checks or certified funds for any irregularities, including but not limited to being improperly dated, completed or endorsed and; if returned to the payer unprocessed, the City is not responsible for taxes not immediately processed or that become delinquent or for interest and penalties on delinquent taxes.
• The City does not accept third-party checks except from mortgage companies or banks specifically in payment of property tax.
• Do not staple and do not combine with any other payments.
• Checks returned from the bank for any reason are subject to a $25.00 recovery fee and payment is void. Full replacement payment, plus a separate recovery fee, must be paid with certified funds or cash, and must be received by the original due date to avoid additional charges.

Escrow Accounts

Some mortgage companies send escrow checks to a third-party tax service before sending them to the City. Payments are dated as the day we receive them. To see when your escrow payment was received, please check our web site or call your bank to verify timely payments. Escrow checks made payable to taxpayers must be endorsed by those taxpayers. 

Receipts

Receipts may be printed at the land records web portal. Select the Accept and Sign In box under Guest Sign In to get to the search page. In the Property # box, enter the 10 digit parcel # (no spaces or dashes), and click Search. This will populate the Search Results area. Choose the corresponding tax year line which will take you to your parcel page. Choose the Taxes tab to see up-to-date payment information. Click on the Print Tax Summary button in the middle of the screen.

Making a Payment

By Mail

• On or before January 31st only: Please use the included return envelope (to West Allis P.O. Box) enclosed with your tax coupon.
• On or after February 1st to: Treasurer, City of Oak Creek, 8040 S 6th Street, Oak Creek, WI 53154.

Payments by mail are considered timely if:

• It is mailed in a properly addressed envelope,
• Postmarked before midnight of the prescribed due date for making the payment, with postage prepaid, and
• Is received by the proper official, regardless of when received.

Important: December 31st is not a due date and; therefore, to ensure a receipt dated in December, payments by mail must be received in our office on or before December 29. Payments postmarked by December 31st and received within 5 business days after December 31st will be receipted as January; however, the reference note will reflect a December postmark.

Tri City Banks

- Through January 31st only. Hours subject to change. Please visit the Tri City Bank website for up-to-date information.

A receipt and immediate refund for overpayment (with proper ID), is given at the bank. Checks and cash are accepted. Bring your tax coupon to one of the following locations:

• Free standing branches: 6400 S. 27th St., and 2555 W. Ryan Rd.
  • Monday through Friday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Saturday 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
  • Closed December 25th,  January 1st and 15th.
• In Pick ‘n Save stores: 8770 S. Howell Ave. and 6462 S. 27th St.
  • Mon. thru Fri. 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Saturday 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
  • Closed December 25th,  January 1st and 15th.
• The payment information is recorded on your tax coupon and a copy will be returned to you as your receipt. Payments are viewable online within three business days.

Online

Credit/Debit card & E-check

City Hall

• Normal Business Hours: Monday through Friday 7:30 am - 4:00 pm
• City Hall will be closed on December 25th, 26th, and January 1st and 2nd.
• No cash payments in December and January.
• Expect delays. Please consider using one of our other convenient payment options.
• When City Hall is closed, you may use one of the other available payment options.

Drive-up 24 hour depository 

The drop box is located at the Civic Center on the southwest corner of the building. Checks or certified funds only. Payments placed in the depository by midnight of the prescribed due date for making the payment is considered timely. Payments placed in the depository on or before midnight December 31st will be recorded as a December payment.

Wis. Stats. 74.09 Property tax bill and related information:

(6) Effect of Failure to Receive. Failure to receive a property tax bill does not affect the validity of the general property taxes, special taxes, special charges and special assessments levied or the collection of delinquent general property taxes, special taxes, special charges and special assessments.