(The Center Square) – Taxpayers across Wisconsin are paying more, but not because of tax policies at the state level.

The Wisconsin Policy Forum’s latest research shows local tax levy increases drove the tax burden in the state to its highest level in nearly 20 years.

"Gross property tax levies across Wisconsin collectively grew by 5.8% on December 2025 tax bills, the largest increase since 2007," the Policy Forum wrote. "This gross figure includes all levies imposed by all local governments and school districts in Wisconsin, before any state tax credits are applied to lower net bills for homeowners. This increase primarily is due to school district tax levies."

The local tax increases pushed property tax bills across the state up.

"Racine County had the largest increase in gross tax levies for all local governments, [10.9%]," the Policy Forum noted. "That was followed by Washington County [at] 6.8%, Kenosha County [at] 6.3%, Walworth County [at] 6%, Ozaukee County [at] 5.1%, Milwaukee County [at] 5%, and Waukesha County [at] 3.3%."

Madison saw one of the largest local tax increases according to the Policy Forum.

"Gross levies for all taxing authorities in the city of Madison increased 11.9%, the most since 1985," the numbers showed.

The Policy Forum did acknowledge that Gov. Tony Evers' 400-year veto led to some of the tax spikes.

"Voters in a large number of districts passing referenda to increase their tax levies, an increase to district revenue limits this year as a result of a partial veto by Gov. Tony Evers in the 2023-25 state budget, and a freeze in state general school aids by lawmakers and Evers in the 2025-27 state budget," the Forum added.

Tax bills also jumped because property values across the state jumped.

"Equalized property values as of Jan. 1, 2026, increased by 7.6% statewide over the prior year. While a robust rate of growth, this still represented the smallest increase since 2021. But it was sufficient to push Wisconsin past a major milestone, as total statewide equalized property values surpassed $1 trillion for the first time in January," the report stated.

The report also noted that while local taxes drove tax bills up, state taxes actually fell in 2025, down by 2.3%.