Tax 2.08
Tax 2.08
Returns of persons other than corporations. Tax 2.08(1)(1)
Forms. The department shall provide official forms for filing income tax returns and credit claims. Except as provided in s.
Tax 2.09 or otherwise approved by the department, tax returns and credit claims may only be filed using these official forms.
Tax 2.08(2)
(2) Information returns. Information returns required of persons other than corporations are specified in s.
Tax 2.04.
Tax 2.08(3)(a)
(a) All forms and information required to be filed or furnished by persons other than corporations shall be filed or furnished by providing the information requested on the appropriate forms, signing the returns or forms as appropriate and submitting them by one of the following means:
Tax 2.08(3)(a)1.
1. Mailing them to the address specified by the department on the form or in the instructions.
Tax 2.08(3)(a)2.
2. Delivering them to the department or to the destination that the department or the department of administration prescribes.
Tax 2.08(3)(a)3.
3. Filing them by the use of electronic means as prescribed by the department.
Tax 2.08 Note
Note: The destination for delivering forms that the department or the department of administration prescribes and the type of electronic means the department prescribes for filing forms shall be stated on the forms or in the instructions, on the department's Internet web site at
www.revenue.wi.gov or in the department's quarterly newsletter titled “Wisconsin Tax Bulletin" or other written material.
Tax 2.08(3)(b)
(b) Except as provided in pars.
(c) and
(d), the department may require a tax return preparer or tax preparation firm that prepared 50 or more Wisconsin individual income tax returns for the prior taxable year, to file individual income tax returns prepared by that tax return preparer or tax preparation firm electronically. The department shall notify tax return preparers and tax preparation firms by October 1 of any year of the requirement to file electronically. The requirement to file returns electronically shall be effective beginning January 1 of the year following notification.
Tax 2.08(3)(c)
(c) Paragraph
(b) does not apply to a return on which the taxpayer has indicated that the taxpayer did not want the return filed by electronic means.
Tax 2.08(3)(ce)
(ce) Except as provided in par.
(d), the department may require a composite individual income tax return filed by a pass-through entity on behalf of its nonresident partners, members, shareholders, or beneficiaries be filed electronically. The department shall provide notification at least 90 days prior to the due date of the first composite income tax return required to be filed electronically of the requirement to file electronically.
Tax 2.08(3)(ci)
(ci) Except as provided in par.
(d), the department may require the nonresident income or franchise tax withholding return filed by a pass-through entity to be filed electronically. The department shall provide notification at least 90 days prior to the due date of the first income or franchise tax withholding return required to be filed electronically of the requirement to file electronically.
Tax 2.08(3)(cm)
(cm) Except as provided in par.
(d), the department may require the income tax return or request for a closing certificate of a trust or estate be filed electronically. The department shall provide notification at least 90 days prior to the due date of the first income tax return or closing certificate required to be filed electronically of the requirement to file electronically.
Tax 2.08(3)(cs)
(cs) Except as provided in par.
(d), the department may require the income tax return of a partnership be filed electronically. The department shall provide notification at least 90 days prior to the due date of the first income tax return required to be filed electronically of the requirement to file electronically.
Tax 2.08(3)(d)
(d) The secretary of revenue may waive the requirement to file electronically when the secretary determines that the requirement causes an undue hardship, if the person otherwise required to file electronically does all of the following:
Tax 2.08(3)(d)1.
1. Requests the waiver in writing using Form EFT-102, Electronic Filing or Electronic Payment Waiver Request.
Tax 2.08(3)(d)2.
2. Clearly indicates why the requirement causes an undue hardship.
Tax 2.08(3)(e)
(e) In determining whether the electronic means requirement causes an undue hardship, the secretary of revenue may consider the following factors:
Tax 2.08(3)(e)1.
1. Unusual circumstances that may prevent the person from filing electronically.
Tax 2.08 Note
Example: The person does not have access to a computer that is connected to the Internet.
Tax 2.08(3)(e)2.
2. Any other factor that the secretary determines is pertinent.
Tax 2.08 Note
Note: Forms not required to be filed electronically may be delivered in person to the Department of Revenue at 2135 Rimrock Road, Madison, Wisconsin or mailed to the address specified on the form or in the instructions.
Tax 2.08 History
History: 1-2-56; am.
Register, February, 1958, No. 26, eff. 3-1-58; am.
Register, February, 1960, No. 50, eff. 3-1-60; am.
Register, September, 1964, No. 105, eff. 10-1-64; r. and recr.,
Register, March, 1966, No. 123, eff. 4-1-66; am.
Register, February, 1975, No. 230, eff. 3-1-75; am. (1),
Register, November, 1977, No. 263, eff. 12-1-77; am. (3),
Register, February, 1978, No. 266, eff. 3-1-78; am. (1) (a) and (b), (2) and (3), renum. (1) (c) and (d) to be (1) (k) and (l) and am., cr. (1) (c) to (j),
Register, July, 1987, No. 379, eff. 8-1-87; r. and recr. (1), am. (3) (intro.), r. (3) (a) to (c),
Register, June, 1990, No. 414, eff. 7-1-90; r. and recr.
Register, May, 1995, No. 473, eff. 6-1-95;
CR 01-143: am. (1) (a) 2., 3. and (b) 3., renum. (1) (a) 4. to 15., 17. to 20., 21., and 22. to 28., (b) 5., 6. and (3) to be (1) (a) 5., 6., 9. to 18., 19. to 22., 24., and 26. to 32., (b) 7., 8. and (3) (a) (intro.) and am. (1) (a) 6., 15. and 18., (b) 7., and (3) (a) (intro.), cr. (1) (a) 4., 7., 8., 23., 25., (b) 5. and 6., (3) (a) 1. to 3. and (b) to (e), r. (1) (a) 16.
Register July 2002 No. 559, eff. 8-1-02;
CR 10-095: r. and recr. (1), am. (3) (b) (intro.), 2., (3) (d) (intro.), 1., (e) 1., cr. (3) (b) 3., (ce), (cm), (cs)
Register November 2010 No. 659, eff. 12-1-10;
CR 19-141: renum. (3) (b) (intro.) to (3) (b) and am., r. (3) (b) 1. to 3., cr. (3) (ci)
Register September 2020 No. 777, eff. 10-1-20; correction in (3) (ci) made under s.
35.17, Stats.,
Register September 2020 No. 777.
Tax 2.085
Tax 2.085
Claim for refund on behalf of a deceased taxpayer. Tax 2.085(1)(1)
If a claimant is filing a deceased taxpayer's income tax return and is due a refund, the claimant shall file Form 804, “Claim for Decedent's Wisconsin Income Tax Refund," with the income tax return. If the claimant did not file Form 804 with the income tax return, a refund check is issued in the deceased taxpayer's name. If the claimant is unable to cash the refund check, the claimant shall file Form 804.
Tax 2.085(2)
(2) If a refund is claimed on a joint Wisconsin income tax return of the surviving spouse and the decedent, the surviving spouse shall write “filing as surviving spouse" in the signature area of the return. If someone other than the surviving spouse is the personal representative, the personal representative shall also sign the joint return.
Tax 2.085(3)
(3) Forms required to be filed under sub.
(1) shall be mailed to Wisconsin Department of Revenue, P.O. Box 8903, Madison, WI 53708-8903.
Tax 2.085 History
History: Cr.
Register, October, 1976, No. 250, eff. 11-1-76; am. (1),
Register, November, 1978, No. 275, eff. 12-1-78; am. (2),
Register, September, 1983, No. 333, eff. 10-1-83; renum. (2) to be (3), cr. (2),
Register, February, 1990, No. 410, eff. 3-1-90;
CR 13-012: am. (1) to (3)
Register August 2013 No. 692, eff. 9-1-13;
CR 22-044: r. and recr. (1), am. (3)
Register June 2023 No. 810, eff. 7-1-23.
Tax 2.09
Tax 2.09
Reproduction of franchise or income tax forms. Tax 2.09(1)(1)
General. Subject to the provisions of this section, the official Wisconsin franchise or income tax forms required to be filed with the department may be reproduced and the reproductions may be filed in lieu of the corresponding official forms. Any reproduction which varies from the official version in any particular way, except as authorized in this section, shall be submitted to the department for approval before it is used. The department may reject any reproduction which is in whole or in part illegible or which is of a format that has not been approved by the department.
Tax 2.09(2)
(2) Specifications. The following specifications shall apply:
Tax 2.09(2)(a)
(a) Printing of reproductions shall be by conventional printing processes, photocopying, computer graphics or similar reproduction processes and shall duplicate the font sizes, graphics and format of the official form. Reproductions may be printed on one side or both sides of the paper.
Tax 2.09(2)(b)
(b) Reproductions of optical character reader-scannable, or OCR-scannable, documents shall bear an OCR-scannable line as prescribed for the specific document type. Photocopies of OCR-scannable forms may not be filed.
Tax 2.09(2)(c)
(c) The reproductions shall be on paper of substantially the same weight and texture, and of quality at least as good as that used in the official forms.
Tax 2.09(2)(d)
(d) In the reproduction of tax forms, official forms printed on colored paper may be reproduced on white paper, and black ink may be substituted for colored ink.
Tax 2.09(2)(e)
(e) The size of the reproduction, both as to dimensions of the paper and image reproduced on it, shall be the same as that of the official form, except that full-page official forms which are other than 8
½ inches by 11 inches in size may be reproduced on 8
½ inch by 11 inch paper.
Tax 2.09(2)(f)
(f) Except for returns executed by fiduciaries as provided in sub.
(3) or returns filed electronically, all signatures required on returns which are filed with the department shall be original, affixed subsequent to the reproduction process.
Tax 2.09(3)
(3) Fiduciaries. A fiduciary or the fiduciary's agent may use a facsimile signature in filing a tax return on form 2, subject to the following conditions:
Tax 2.09(3)(a)
(a) Each group of returns forwarded to the department shall be accompanied by a letter signed by the person authorized to sign the returns declaring, under penalties of perjury, that the facsimile signature appearing on the returns is the signature adopted by the person to sign the returns filed and that the signature was affixed to the returns by the person or at the person's direction. The letter shall also list each return by name and identifying number.
Tax 2.09(3)(b)
(b) A signed copy of the letter shall be retained by the person filing the returns and shall be available for inspection by the department.
Tax 2.09(3)(c)
(c) If returns are reproduced by photocopying or similar reproductive methods, the facsimile signature shall be affixed subsequent to the reproduction process.
Tax 2.09 Note
Note: Written requests for approval of substitute forms should be mailed to Wisconsin Department of Revenue, Processing Forms Approval, P.O. Box 8903, Madison, WI 53708-8903.
Tax 2.09 History
History: 1-2-56; am.
Register, February, 1958, No. 26, eff. 3-1-58; am.
Register, February, 1960, No. 50, eff. 3-1-60; am. (2),
Register, March, 1966, No. 123, eff. 4-1-66; am. (5) and cr. (6),
Register, August, 1974, No. 224, eff. 9-1-74; am. (intro.), (2), (6) (intro.) and (a),
Register, November, 1977, No. 263, eff. 12-1-77; am. (3),
Register, September, 1983, No. 333, eff. 10-1-83; correction in (5) made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 4., Stats.,
Register, July, 1987, No. 379; r. and recr.
Register, May, 1996, No. 485, eff. 6-1-96;
CR 10-095: am. (1)
Register November 2010 No. 659, eff. 12-1-10.
Tax 2.10
Tax 2.10
Copies of federal returns, statements, schedules, documents, etc. to be filed with Wisconsin returns. Tax 2.10(1)(1)
Individuals and fiduciaries. At the time of filing Wisconsin income tax returns by individuals and fiduciaries, a complete copy of the federal income tax return for the same taxable year, including all schedules, statements, documents and computations which affect the computation of Wisconsin income, credits or penalties, shall be included and filed with the Wisconsin return. If the federal form is filed electronically, a copy of the electronic material as contained in replicas of the official forms or on forms designated by the electronic filer shall be included and filed with the Wisconsin return.
Tax 2.10(2)
(2) Partnerships and limited liability companies treated as partnerships. Tax 2.10(2)(a)
(a) Except as provided in par.
(b), at the time of filing Wisconsin income tax returns by partnerships and limited liability companies treated as partnerships under s.
71.20 (1), Stats., a complete copy of the federal income tax return for the same taxable year, including all schedules, statements, documents and computations which affect the computation of Wisconsin income, deductions and credits, shall be included and filed with the Wisconsin return. If the federal form is filed electronically, a copy of the electronic material as contained in replicas of the official forms or on forms designated by the electronic filer shall be included and filed with the Wisconsin return.
Tax 2.10(2)(b)
(b) Copies of the federal schedules K-1 are not required to be filed for those partners or members for whom a Wisconsin schedule 3K-1 is being filed for the same taxable year. A Wisconsin schedule 3K-1 shall be filed in lieu of federal schedule K-1 for a partner or member if any of the following applies:
Tax 2.10(2)(b)1.
1. The computation of the Wisconsin income or deductions differs from the federal amount.
Tax 2.10(2)(b)2.
2. The partner or member is a nonresident of Wisconsin or part-year resident of Wisconsin and the partnership or limited liability company has activities within and without Wisconsin.
Tax 2.10(2)(b)3.
3. The partnership or limited liability company calculates any Wisconsin income tax credits.
Tax 2.10 History
History: Register, December, 1965, No. 120, eff. 1-1-66; am.
Register, June, 1990, No. 414, eff. 7-1-90; r. and recr.
Register, May, 1995, No. 473, eff. 6-1-95:
CR 21-085; am. (1)
Register August 2022 No. 800, eff. 9-1-22.
Tax 2.105
Tax 2.105
Notice by taxpayer of federal audit adjustments and amended returns. Tax 2.105(1)(1)
Purpose. This section clarifies the time periods for a taxpayer to report federal audit adjustments and federal and other state amended returns for Wisconsin franchise or income tax and economic development surcharge purposes, and the result if a taxpayer fails to report the adjustments or amended returns.
Tax 2.105(2)
(2) Definition. In this section, “taxpayer" includes individuals, estates, trusts, partnerships, limited liability companies and corporations. For combined groups, “taxpayer" includes the designated agent of a combined group under s.
71.255 (1) (a), Stats., if any member of the combined group was the subject of a federal audit adjustment or amended return.
Tax 2.105(3)(a)
(a) Under ss.
71.76 and
77.96 (4), Stats., a taxpayer meeting the conditions described in sub.
(4) shall report to the department changes or corrections made to a tax return by the internal revenue service, or file with the department amended Wisconsin franchise or income tax returns or amended economic development surcharge returns reporting any information contained in amended returns filed with the internal revenue service, or with another state if there has been allowed a credit against Wisconsin taxes for taxes paid to that state. If such changes, corrections, or amended returns relate to income, credits claimed or carried forward, net business losses or net business losses carried forward, capital losses or capital losses carried forward, or any other item that is required to be included in a combined report under s.
71.255 (1) (b), Stats., the designated agent of the combined group shall report such changes or corrections or file amended combined returns.
Tax 2.105 Note
Note: See s.
Tax 2.65 for additional rules relating to the designated agent of a combined group.
Tax 2.105(3)(b)
(b) Except as provided in sub.
(5), the department may give notice to the taxpayer of assessment or refund within 90 days of the date the department receives the taxpayer's report of federal adjustments or amended return described in par.
(a). The 90-day limitation does not apply to instances where the taxpayer files an incorrect franchise or income tax return or economic development surcharge return with intent to defeat or evade the franchise or income tax or economic development surcharge assessment.
Tax 2.105(4)(a)
(a) Federal adjustments. If the federal net income tax payable, a credit claimed or carried forward, a net operating loss carried forward or a capital loss carried forward on a taxpayer's federal tax return is adjusted by the internal revenue service in a way which affects the amount of Wisconsin net franchise or income tax or economic development surcharge payable, the amount of a Wisconsin credit or a Wisconsin net operating loss, net business loss or capital loss carried forward, the taxpayer shall report the adjustments to the department within 90 days after they become final. If such adjustments relate to income, credits claimed or carried forward, net business losses or net business losses carried forward, capital losses or capital losses carried forward, or any other item that is required to be included in a combined report under s.
71.255 (1) (b), Stats., the designated agent of the combined group shall report such adjustments. The following shall also apply with respect to federal adjustments:
Tax 2.105(4)(a)1.
1. `Finality of federal adjustments.' For the purpose of determining when the federal adjustments become final, the following shall be deemed a final determination:
Tax 2.105(4)(a)1.b.
b. An agreement entered into with the internal revenue service waiving restrictions on the assessment and collection of a deficiency and accepting an overassessment. Federal form 870, “Waiver of Restrictions on Assessment and Collection of Deficiency in Tax and Acceptance of Overassessment," or 870-AD, “Offer to Waive Restrictions on Assessment and Collection of Tax Deficiency and to Accept Overassessment," are the forms prescribed for this purpose.
Tax 2.105(4)(a)1.c.
c. Expiration of the 90-day time period, or the 150-day period in the case of a notice addressed to a person outside the United States, within which a petition for redetermination may be filed with the United States tax court with respect to a statutory notice of deficiency issued by the internal revenue service, if a petition is not filed with that court within that time.
Tax 2.105(4)(a)1.d.
d. A closing agreement entered into with the internal revenue service under section
7121 of the Internal Revenue Code.
Tax 2.105(4)(a)1.e.
e. A decision by the United States tax court or a judgment, decree or other order by a court of competent jurisdiction which has become final, or the date the court approves a voluntary agreement stipulating disposition of the case. A court of competent jurisdiction includes a United States district court, a court of appeals, a court of claims or the United States supreme court.
Tax 2.105(4)(a)1.f.
f. For combined groups, the “finality of federal adjustments" is determined on the basis of that particular combined group member the adjustments of which ultimately affect the amount of Wisconsin net franchise or income tax or economic development surcharge payable, the amount of a Wisconsin credit, credit carryforward, net business loss, net business loss carryforward, capital loss or capital loss carried forward of the combined group to which that member belongs.
Tax 2.105 Note
Note: Decisions of the U.S. tax court and other courts ordinarily become final as follows:
Tax 2.105 Note
a. If no appeal is made of a U.S. tax court decision, it becomes final upon expiration of a period of 90 days after the decision is entered. Decisions in unappealable cases involving deficiencies of $50,000 or less heard by the U.S. tax court under section
7463 of the Internal Revenue Code become final 90 days after they are entered.
Tax 2.105 Note
b. Appealed decisions of the U.S. tax court become final as set forth in section
7481 of the Internal Revenue Code.
Tax 2.105 Note
c. A decision of a U.S. district court normally becomes final if not appealed to the U.S. court of appeals within 60 days of the judgment, decree or order.
Tax 2.105 Note
d. A decision of the U.S. court of claims or the U.S. court of appeals normally becomes final unless an appeal or a petition for certiorari is filed with the U.S. supreme court within 90 days of the judgment or decree.
Tax 2.105 Note
e. A decision of the U.S. supreme court is normally final upon the expiration of a period of 25 days from the date the decision is rendered, if a motion for reconsideration or rehearing is not filed within that time.
Tax 2.105(4)(a)2.
2. `Information to report to department.' The taxpayer shall submit to the department a copy of the final federal audit report issued by the internal revenue service together with any other documents or schedules necessary to inform the department of the adjustments as finally determined. The report shall be included with an amended Wisconsin return if a Wisconsin refund is being claimed and may be, but is not required to be, included with an amended return if additional Wisconsin tax or economic development surcharge is due or if there is no change in tax or economic development surcharge.
Tax 2.105(4)(a)3.
3. `Agreement with adjustments.' A taxpayer shall be deemed to concede the accuracy of the federal adjustments for Wisconsin franchise or income tax or economic development surcharge purposes unless a statement is included with the report to the department stating why the taxpayer believes the adjustments are incorrect.
Tax 2.105(4)(b)
(b) Amended returns. If a taxpayer files an amended federal tax return and the changes on the amended federal tax return affect the amount of Wisconsin net franchise or income tax or economic development surcharge payable, the amount of a Wisconsin credit or a Wisconsin net operating loss, net business loss or capital loss carried forward, the taxpayer shall file with the department an amended Wisconsin return reflecting the same changes. A taxpayer filing an amended return with another state shall file an amended Wisconsin return if a credit has been allowed against Wisconsin taxes for taxes paid to that state and if the changes affect the amount of Wisconsin net franchise or income tax or economic development surcharge payable, the amount of a Wisconsin credit or a Wisconsin net operating loss, net business loss or capital loss carried forward. If the changes described in this paragraph relate to income, credits claimed or carried forward, net business losses or net business losses carried forward, capital losses or capital losses carried forward, or any other item that is required to be included in a combined report under s.
71.255 (1) (b), Stats., the designated agent of the combined group shall file an amended combined return. Changes to a net operating or business loss carryforward may not be made unless the change to the incurred loss was computed on a return that was filed within 4 years of the unextended due date for filing the original return for the taxable year in which the loss was incurred. Changes to a net operating or business loss carry-back may not be made unless the change to the loss is claimed within 4 years of the unextended due date for filing the original return for the taxable year to which the loss is carried back. The amended Wisconsin return shall be filed within 90 days after the date the amended return is filed with the internal revenue service or other state.
Tax 2.105(4)(c)
(c) Where and how to submit report or amended return. An amended Wisconsin return or a taxpayer's report of federal adjustments submitted with an amended Wisconsin return shall be filed in accordance with the provisions of s.
Tax 2.12 (5) and
(6). A taxpayer's report of federal adjustments submitted to the department without an amended return shall be identified as reflecting federal adjustments made by the internal revenue service and shall be mailed to Wisconsin Department of Revenue, Audit Bureau, P.O. Box 8906, Madison, WI 53708-8906. The report submitted without an amended return may not be made a part of or attached to any Wisconsin tax return.
Tax 2.105(5)
(5) Assessments and refunds by department. If a taxpayer reports federal adjustments or files an amended Wisconsin return with the department within 90 days after the adjustments become final or after an amended return is filed with the internal revenue service or another state, the department may make an assessment or issue a refund relating to the report or amended return as follows:
Tax 2.105(5)(a)
(a) Assessments. Under s.
71.77 (2), Stats., the department may make an assessment within 4 years from the date the original Wisconsin franchise or income tax return was filed. However, under s.
71.77 (7) (a), Stats., if the taxpayer reported less than 75% of the correct net income and the additional tax for the year exceeds $200 for a joint return, or $100 for a return other than a joint return, an assessment may be made within 6 years after the return was filed. If an assessment relates to a federal adjustment that affects a combined report, the department may issue such assessment to either the corporation whose income was adjusted for federal purposes or to the designated agent of the combined group, or both.
Tax 2.105 Note
Note: See s.
Tax 2.67 (4) for rules relating to the statute of limitations as applied to combined returns.
Tax 2.105(5)(b)
(b) Refunds. Under s.
71.75 (2), Stats., the department may issue a refund if an amended return is filed within 4 years of the unextended date the original Wisconsin franchise or income tax return was due.
