View of skyline from Capital City Trail along John Nolen Drive
Finance
David Schmiedicke, Finance Director

Transient Room Tax

Application Process

Per Madison General Ordinance 4.21 , "every person furnishing rooms or lodging within the City of Madison shall file with the Treasury an application for permit for each place of business."  

To file your application:

  1. Review the informational letter
  2. Complete the Transient Room Tax Application

  3. Submit the application by mail to:

    City of Madison Treasury
    City-County Building
    210 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Rm. 101
    Madison, WI  53703

File and Pay Your Quarterly Return

Transient Room Tax must be reported and paid to the City of Madison on a quarterly basis. Returns will be mailed to all permitted entities prior to the due date for each quarter. These due dates are: January 31, April 30, July 31, and October 31.

  • Online

    Pay online by checking account, savings account, credit card, or debit card. You can schedule payments for a future date, view your filing and payment history, and manage bills for multiple properties. There is a service fee of 3.75% of the tax paid for using a credit or debit card, or a minimum fee of $2.50. There is no fee for using a checking or savings account.

    Instructions – File and Pay Transient Room Tax Online

    File and Pay Transient Room Tax Online

  • Mail

    Make checks payable to City of Madison Treasury and mail your completed return with your payment to:

    City of Madison Treasury
    210 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Room 101
    Madison, WI 53703

  • In Person

    Submit your return and make your payment in person by cash, check, or money order at our office in the City-County Building.

    City of Madison Treasury
    210 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Room 101
    Madison, WI 53703
    Get Directions

  • Drop Box

    Completed returns and check payments can be placed in the drop box located in front of the City-County Building at 210 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd., Madison, WI 53703.

    Get Directions

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