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Yes.
Milwaukee County has the highest county sales tax in Wisconsin at 0.9%.
Every other county with a sales tax charges 0.5% on top of the statewide 5% rate.
Two counties – Waukesha and Winnebago – do not have a sales tax, according to a chart from the state Department of Revenue.
The city of Milwaukee is currently the only city with its own sales tax of 2%. Both the 0.9% county rate and 2% city rate went into effect Jan. 1, 2024.
Separately, Milwaukee has tourism-related taxes that support the Wisconsin Center District, including a 0.5% rate for restaurant meals.
The 0.9% county and 2% city sales taxes stem from a bipartisan 2023 law that sought to help Milwaukee avoid a financial crisis.
Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, the Democratic nominee for governor, signed the county-level legislation that put the 0.9% tax into effect.
This Fact Brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
Sources
- Wisconsin Department of Revenue: Tax Rate FAQs
- Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee convention hotel plan advances, could boost tourism
- Wisconsin Department of Revenue: Local Exposition Taxes
- Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Gov. Tony Evers signs bill to keep Milwaukee financially stable, boosting funding to local governments
- Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Legislature passes bill aimed at averting Milwaukee financial crisis, lifting aid to local governments
- Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley signs 0.4% sales tax increase
Does Milwaukee County have the highest sales tax in Wisconsin? is a post from Wisconsin Watch, a non-profit investigative news site covering Wisconsin since 2009. Please consider making a contribution to support our journalism.
