County tax group explains Act 207 changes that shorten tax‑deed timelines

Staff explained that Wisconsin Act 207 (March 2024) overhauled the tax‑deed process and prompted creation of a County Tax Group (CTG) — a cross‑department team (treasurer, county clerk, corporation counsel, land information, planning & development, and finance) that coordinates decisions on whether to take tax‑deed properties and how to handle them. The new law shortens the timeline for moving a single‑family tax deed from court judgment to auction to 180 days and requires detailed accounting of expenses because surplus funds must be returned to prior owners in many cases.