Real Estate Transfer Returns

Section 77.22(1) of the Wisconsin Statutes provides that “...submission of a completed real estate transfer return and collection by the register of the fee shall be prerequisites to acceptance of the conveyance for recording.” All information on the transfer return is useful to the local assessor, other municipal and county officials and staff of the Department of Revenue who have a statutory responsibility in the administration of Wisconsin tax laws.

• Review of Transfer Return by Register of Deeds Office
• DOR Information and Forms

eRETR Help

• Electronic Real Estate Transfer Return Overview
• Electronic version of the Wisconsin Real Estate Transfer Return (eRETR)
• Instructions for the eRETR
• eRETR Training/Help

A deed and an Electronic Wisconsin Real Estate Transfer Return (eRETR) must be completed to convey title to real estate.

Blank deed forms and deed instructions are not available for download from DOR's website. You can obtain blank deeds from a office supply or a title company: http://www.wi.ctic.com/resources_downloadabledocs.html

If you need additional information in regards to your inquiry you will have to consult with a title company or an attorney. You can also contact the Register of Deeds at (608) 266-4141.

Exempt Document From Fee & Return

To exempt a deed from transfer return and transfer fee include the following language on the deed below the legal description: "The purpose of this deed is to ___________________________ only and is therefore not a conveyance as defined by s. 77.21(1), Stats. and is exempt from transfer return and fee imposed under s. 77.22(1), Stats."

eRETR Correction Before Recording By ROD

An eRETR with errors that has not been recorded by the ROD should be discarded. Restore your saved .DOR file for this eRETR from your computer on our website at the section "Restore a previously saved eRETR file"

If you did not save your file then you will need to re-enter all of your information in to a new eRETR. Either method will result in being issued a new eRETR receipt number. The incorrect receipt can be disposed of. You can make multiple changes/corrections to an eRETR with multiple receipts – all we want is the correct receipt. In addition we do not need to be informed of the incorrect receipt(s).

Parcel Format Help

• Parcel Formatting Rules

The parcel number has to match exactly the format prescribed by the county. Sometimes what is printed on the tax bill may not match exactly the format given by county for the eRETR because of the way the bills are printed. Examples of modifying it to work: adding or deleting special characters, adding/deleting leading "zeros".

Reading the format rule description at the top of each county is also very helpful with understanding the parcel format rules. Some municipalities with in a county may also have a format that is slightly different the rest of the county.

Once you have made a change on the screen the eRETR server does not recognize until you hit "Update" on the eRETR navigation tool bar.

Symbols/Alt-Key Codes Help

• Complete Lists of These Types of Codes

The Microsoft symbols (from Microsoft Word) that you can insert in to a document will NOT carryover properly in the eRETR legal description. Symbols should be typed using "Alt-Key Codes". Symbols can be created by holding the Alt Key while typing 34 or 39 on the number key pad and a ' or a " will appear (sometimes it takes a moment.) To type the 'degree' symbol for legal descriptions press and hold the Alt Key while typing 0176 on the number keypad and a ° will appear.