Wisconsin Car Tax & Wheel Tax by County (2026)
In Wisconsin, car sales tax runs 5% to 7.9% by county, and the local wheel tax stacks (county + city) up to $80 in some places. Emissions testing applies in seven SE counties. Find your county below.
Verified July 2026 from WisDOT and the WI DOR. Wheel taxes stack by county + municipality and are charged on top of the $85 state fee.
| County | Sales tax | Emissions? |
|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee | 5.9% | Yes |
| Dane | 5.5% | No |
| Waukesha | 5% | Yes |
| Brown | 5.5% | No |
| Racine | 5.5% | Yes |
| Outagamie | 5.5% | No |
| Winnebago | 5% | No |
| Kenosha | 5.5% | Yes |
| Rock | 5.5% | No |
| Marathon | 5.5% | No |
| La Crosse | 5.5% | No |
| Sheboygan | 5.5% | Yes |
| Walworth | 5.5% | No |
| Fond du Lac | 5.5% | No |
| Eau Claire | 5.5% | No |
Frequently asked questions
How much is car sales tax in Wisconsin?
State sales tax is 5%, plus a 0.5% county tax in most counties (but not Waukesha or Winnebago). Milwaukee is higher — 5.9% countywide and 7.9% in the City of Milwaukee. It's charged where the vehicle is customarily kept, not where you buy it.
What is the wheel tax in Wisconsin?
A local vehicle registration fee charged at renewal by counties and/or municipalities, on top of the $85 state fee. County and city wheel taxes stack — for example, a City of Milwaukee driver pays $71 ($30 county + $41 city), and Madison and Eau Claire drivers pay $80.
Which Wisconsin counties require an emissions test?
Seven southeastern counties: Kenosha, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Racine, Sheboygan, Washington, and Waukesha. It's a biennial test. No other county requires one.
How much is a Wisconsin car title?
The title fee rose to $214.50 on October 1, 2025 (up from $164.50). The base annual registration fee is $85, with EV and plug-in hybrid surcharges added on top.