Real Estate Transfer Fee Common Questions - R

​​​​ Railroads

  1. Does a railroad company need to file railroad conveyances with the Office of Commissioner of Railroads, even if it filed with the Register of Deeds?

  2. The Register of Deeds returned the quit claim deed​​ and transfer return indicating that per state law (sec. 190.11, Wis. Stats.), railroad conveyances must be filed with the Office of the Commissioner of Railroads (OCI). Payment of transfer fees are payable to OCI as stated in the statute. Is this true?

Receipts

  1. Can two RETR receipts be used with one deed?

  2. Under what circumstances can the Register of Deeds reject an RETR receipt?

  3. A receipt has one grantor listed, while the deed has two. Is this receipt acceptable?

  4. Are middle initials required on the receipt?

  5. A receipt has 13 parcels showing and the deed has 19. How do I know if the return is correct?

Refunds

  1. A transfer fee was paid; however, the conveyance is exempt from fee. How do I apply for a refund?

  2. If a transfer fee is paid in the wrong county, how do I get a refund so the fee can be paid in the correct county?

Relocation Industry

  1. In the relocation industry, companies usually take a deed as the grantee and a deed with no grantee listed. The grantor is paid and moves away. The relocation company puts the property on the market and at a later date sells it to another party and only records the deed to the new grantees. How may transfer fees are due?

Railroads

Receipts

Refunds

Relocation Industry

Questions?

Contact us at RETR@wisconsin.gov.