(1) The limitation for bringing actions under s. 75.27 or any other limitation in favor of a tax deed or a tax certificate, except in case of actual possession founded on a tax deed or as otherwise provided in this section, does not apply in the following cases: (a) If the taxes for the nonpayment of which the land was included in a tax certificate and the tax deed executed were paid prior to the inclusion of the land in the tax certificate. (b) If the land was redeemed as provided by law. (c) If the land was exempt from taxation. (d) If a single tax deed only has been issued and the original owner has, before the issuance of the tax deed, paid all taxes levied against the land for the 3 years after the year for which the land was returned delinquent and sold. (2) (a) The tax deed grantee or the assigns of the tax deed grantee may, at any time after the tax deed is issued and recorded, serve a notice on the owner of record of the original title stating that the grantee or assigns hold a tax deed on the land of the original owner and giving a description of the land so deeded and a reference to the document number of the tax deed and, if a volume and page number is assigned, the volume and page where the tax deed is recorded. The notice shall be served in the same manner as a summons in a court of record or by registered mail, addressed to the owner of record. Proof of service of the notice shall be filed in the office of the clerk of the county in which the lands are situated. (b) If the post-office address of the owner of record of the original title is unknown, the tax deed grantee, or the assigns of the tax deed grantee, may file in the office of the county clerk of the county in which the lands are situated an affidavit that he, she or they are unable, with due diligence, to make personal service of the notice or to ascertain the post-office address of the former owner. Upon filing the affidavit, the tax deed grantee, or the assigns of the tax deed grantee, may publish the notice as a class 3 notice, under ch. 985, in the county where the land described in the tax deed is located. Proof of publication of the notice shall be filed in the office of the county clerk. (3) (a) If the notice described in sub. (2) is served and filed, or if the notice is published and proof of publication is filed, 30 days or more before the expiration of 3 years from the date of recording the tax deed, the limitation provided by s. 75.27 applies. If the notice is not so served and filed, or if the notice is not published and proof of publication is not filed, the limitation under s. 75.27 is extended until the expiration of 30 days after the day on which the notice is served and filed or published and proof filed. (b) In any action brought by the original owner to set aside a tax deed after the service or publication and filing of the notice described in sub. (2), the original owner, in case the original owner prevails, shall as a condition of relief pay to the tax deed claimant the sum of $5 for each description and the costs of serving or publishing the notice, in addition to all other costs and charges now provided for by law. The provisions of law regulating costs and charges for the service of a summons in a court of record apply to and govern the amount that may be charged for the service or publication of the notice.
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