The Janesville City Council approved the wheel tax for all Janesville residents in December of 2011. This wheel tax became effective April 1, 2012 and is administered by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT).

At its meeting on September 27, 2021, the Janesville City Council voted to increase the City's local vehicle registration fee, commonly referred to as "wheel tax," from $20 to $40. The fee is a charge collected by WisDOT on behalf of municipalities when an owner registers a vehicle. This fee applies to all autocycles, automobiles, and trucks under 8,000 pounds registered in a municipality.

The City’s new wheel tax rate will be effective January 1, 2022, the new fee amount of $40 will be due for vehicle registrations that expire on or after December 31, 2021. Vehicles with a registration expiration of December 30 or prior will not pay the new fee amount until their plates expire in the year following.

If you pay electronically you should contact the State directly at (608) 266-1466 for instructions. 

More information about the wheel tax may be found by visiting the Wisconsin DOT page.