Portage County promotes lottery credit awareness for homeowners

By Patrick Lynn

PORTAGE COUNTY — Portage County Treasurer Pamela Przybelski is reminding local homeowners to check their 2024 property tax bills to confirm whether they received the Wisconsin Lottery and Gaming Credit.

The announcement is part of Lottery Credit Awareness Week, a statewide initiative supported by the Wisconsin County Treasurers’ Association and the Department of Revenue. The credit appears as a reduction on real estate tax bills for eligible homeowners who use their property as a primary residence.

To qualify, a homeowner must have been a Wisconsin resident and occupied the property as their primary residence on Jan. 1, 2024. If the home was purchased after that date, the prior owner must have used it as their primary residence on Jan. 1 to remain eligible. Rental and business properties do not qualify.

Przybelski said the average lottery credit in Portage County last year was about $190, with the exact amount varying based on the home’s school district.

Eligible homeowners who did not receive the credit can file a 2024 Late Claim Form with the Department of Revenue by Oct. 1. Those who have changed their primary residence as of Jan. 1, 2025, should complete a Lottery and Gaming Credit Application to ensure the credit applies to their 2025 tax bill. If a property is no longer a primary residence, owners are encouraged to file a removal form.

For help or more information, contact the Portage County Treasurer’s Office at 715-346-1348 or treasurerdepartment@co.portage.wi.gov. Homeowners can also review eligibility and complete forms online at https://ww2.revenue.wi.gov/VaultPublic/lc/interview.html.