Delinquent Tax Foreclosure

• Dodge County follows the In rem tax foreclosure process as outlined in Wisconsin State Statutes 75.521 Foreclosure of tax liens by action in rem. 
• A tax certificate (lien) is issued against a parcel on September 1 each year if current year taxes are delinquent. 
• State Statutes also require a "Notice of Issuance of Tax Certificate" to be mailed to a property owner at the address on record.
• The final stages of the In rem process will begin no sooner than three years after the tax certificate issuance date, with properties being taken, valued and sold the following spring via the county's sealed bid process - NOT AN AUCTION!

2026 In rem Schedule

At any time after proceedings for publication and sale have begun, Dodge County may, at its option, grant former owners the right to repurchase land, or may refuse to grant the privilege of repurchase, per Dodge County Ordinance 3.03 Preference to Owners to Purchase Tax Deeded Land, adopted under § 75.35(3), Wis. Stats.

Email the Treasurer's Office to get added to our tax foreclosure "interested parties" list and receive the legal notice when parcels are available.

When bidding:

• Available parcels are purchased "as-is". No open houses or walk-throughs. Submit the Bid Form WITH 10% of the bid amount (cash, money order or certified check ONLY).
• The Taxation Committee opens sealed bids at their meeting
• UNSUCCESSFUL bidders are notified the day after the Taxation Committee meets, by phone and the 10% of the bid money returned
• SUCCESSFUL bidders are notified the next day by phone and email and must pay, within 10 business days of notification date by Dodge County or forfeit their deposit.
  • After full payment is made, liens/judgments are extinguished, delinquent taxes are written off and a Quit Claim Deed is issued within 90 days.
  • Do not contact Treasurer or Corporation Counsel until after the 90 days has elapsed.