Chapter 139

139.08(3) (3) Police powers. The department shall enforce and the duly authorized employees of the department shall have all necessary police powers to prevent violations of s. 134.65 and this subchapter.

139.08(4) (4) Inspection for enforcement. Duly authorized employees of the department of justice and the department of revenue and any sheriff, police officer, marshal, or constable, within their respective jurisdictions, may at all reasonable hours enter any licensed premises, and examine the books, papers, and records of any brewer, brewpub, manufacturer, bottler, rectifier, wholesaler, or retailer, for the purpose of inspecting the same and determining whether the tax and fee imposed by ss. 139.01 to 139.25 have been fully paid, and may inspect and examine, according to law, any premises where fermented malt beverages or intoxicating liquors are manufactured, sold, exposed for sale, possessed, or stored, for the purpose of inspecting the same and determining whether the tax imposed by ss. 139.01 to 139.25 has been fully paid, and whether ss. 139.01 to 139.25 are being complied with. Any refusal to permit such examination of such premises is sufficient grounds under s. 125.12 for revocation or suspension of any license or permit granted for the sale of any fermented malt beverages or intoxicating liquors and is punishable under s. 139.25 (10).

139.08(5) (5) Retention of certain records. Notwithstanding any retention schedule established for the department’s records under s. 16.61, the department shall retain for 3 years after receipt by the department all reports submitted to the division under ss. 125.22 (2) and 125.23 (5) and all records received by the division relating to these reports.

139.08 History History: 1975 c. 39, 199; 1977 c. 289; 1981 c. 79 s. 18; 1981 c. 391; 1985 a. 120; 1985 a. 135 s. 83 (5); 1987 a. 399; 1989 a. 31; 2007 a. 20; 2023 a. 73.

139.09 139.09 Registration. Every brewer, brewpub, bottler, manufacturer, rectifier, wholesaler, or retailer liable for payment of the occupational tax imposed in ss. 139.01 to 139.25 shall hold a valid certificate under s. 73.03 (50). The secretary shall assign the person a registration number.

139.09 History History: 1995 a. 27; 1997 a. 27; 2007 a. 20.

139.092 139.092 Audits; additional assessments; refunds. Sections 71.74 (1), (2), (10), (11), (13) and (14), 71.75 (2), (4) to (7) and (10), 71.77 and 71.80 (12) as they apply to the taxes under ch. 71 apply to the taxes under this subchapter, except that the period during which notice of an additional assessment shall be given begins on the due date of the report under this subchapter.

139.092 History History: 1985 a. 120; 1987 a. 399; 1991 a. 39; 1993 a. 205; 1995 a. 408.

139.094 139.094 Appeals. Sections 71.88 (1) (a) and (2) (a), 71.89 and 71.90 as they apply to the taxes under ch. 71 apply to the taxes under this subchapter.

139.094 History History: 1985 a. 120; 1991 a. 39.

139.096 139.096 Failure to file. If any taxpayer required to file any return fails to do so within the time prescribed, the taxpayer shall, on the written demand of the department, file the return within 20 days after the department sends the demand and at the same time pay the tax due on its basis. If the taxpayer fails within that time to file the return, the department shall prepare the return from the department’s own knowledge and from the information that the department obtains and on that basis shall assess a tax that the taxpayer shall pay within 10 days after the department sends to the taxpayer a written notice of the amount and a demand for its payment. In any action or proceeding in respect to the assessment, the taxpayer has the burden of establishing the incorrectness or invalidity of any return or assessment made by the department because of the failure of the taxpayer to file a return.

139.096 History History: 1985 a. 120; 1997 a. 27; 2017 a. 324.

139.10 139.10 Refunds by secretary of administration.

139.10(1) (1) On the certificate of the secretary, the secretary of administration shall refund to any purchaser or any banking institution in Wisconsin the tax paid on intoxicating liquor or on whole cases or full kegs of fermented malt beverages which are spoiled or unfit to drink and the tax paid on fermented malt beverages sold to the U.S. armed forces or the secretary may make allowance of the amount of the tax.

139.10(2) (2) When the tax has been paid on intoxicating liquor supplied to hospitals for hospital or medicinal purposes, or on alcohol supplied to institutions of learning or museums for nonbeverage purposes, the purchaser shall, upon application to the secretary, be entitled to a refund of the tax.

139.10(3) (3) The secretary shall prescribe the method of proof and the forms of application for refund or allowance.

139.10 History History: 1985 a. 120; 1995 a. 225; 2003 a. 33.

139.10 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ss. Tax 7.01 and 8.04, Wis. adm. code.

139.11 139.11 Records and reports.

139.11(1) (1) Preservation of records. Every person who manufactures, rectifies, distributes, imports, transports, stores, warehouses, or sells intoxicating liquor or fermented malt beverages shall keep complete and accurate records of all such liquor or malt beverages purchased, sold, manufactured, rectified, brewed, fermented, distilled, produced, stored, warehoused, imported, or transported within this state. Such records shall be of a kind and in the form prescribed by the secretary and shall be safely preserved to ensure accessibility for inspection by the secretary or by the division as provided in s. 125.025 (3). A person required to keep records under this subsection may keep such records in electronic form only. Any common carrier or fulfillment house required to submit reports under s. 125.22 or 125.23 shall maintain, for 3 years, all records related to the reports or otherwise required to be kept under this subsection.

139.11(2) (2) Report. Each brewer, brewpub, bottler, manufacturer, rectifier, and wholesaler shall on or before the 15th day of each calendar month or the dates prescribed by the secretary file a verified report of all fermented malt beverages or intoxicating liquor manufactured, received, sold, delivered, or shipped by him or her during the preceding calendar month, except that the department may allow wholesale, winery, and out-of-state shipper permittees whose tax liability is less than $500 per quarter to file on a quarterly basis. Quarterly reports shall be filed on or before the 15th of the next month following the close of the calendar quarter.

139.11(2m) (2m) Timely filing. The provisions on timely filing under s. 71.80 (18) apply to the tax under this subchapter.

139.11(3) (3) Secretary’s powers. When the secretary finds that the records kept by any brewer, brewpub, bottler, manufacturer, rectifier, wholesaler, or retailer are in such condition that an unusual amount of time is required to determine therefrom the amount of tax due, the secretary may give notice of such fact to such person and may require the records to be kept in such form as the secretary prescribes. If such requirements are not complied with within 30 days after the date of the notice, the brewer, brewpub, bottler, manufacturer, rectifier, wholesaler, or retailer shall pay the expenses reasonably attributable to the determination of tax at the rate of $30 per day for each auditor. The secretary shall render a bill therefor by registered mail to the person charged with payment at the conclusion of the audit, which bill shall constitute notice of assessment and demand of payment thereof. The brewer, brewpub, bottler, manufacturer, rectifier, wholesaler, or retailer shall, within 10 days after the mailing of the bill, pay its amount, and such payment shall be credited to the appropriation made in s. 20.566 (1) (a).

139.11(4) (4) Confidentiality and publications.

139.11(4)(a) (a) Sections 71.78 (1), (1g), (1m), and (4) to (9) and 71.83 (2) (a) 3. and 3m., relating to confidentiality of income and franchise tax returns, apply to any information obtained from any person on a fermented malt beverage tax return, report, schedule, exhibit, or other document or from an audit report relating to any of those documents, except that the department of revenue shall publish the following:

139.11(4)(a)1. 1. Brewery production and sales statistics.

139.11(4)(a)2. 2. A current list, available on paper and on the department’s Internet site, providing detailed information regarding every person issued a wholesalers permit under s. 125.28, brewers permit under s. 125.29, brewpub permit under s. 125.295, or out-of-state shippers permit under s. 125.30. The information provided under this subdivision shall include the name and address of the permit holder and the date on which the division issued the permit.

139.11(4)(b) (b) Sections 71.78 (1) and (4) to (9) and 71.83 (2) (a) 3., relating to confidentiality of income and franchise tax returns, do not apply to any information obtained from any person on an intoxicating liquor tax return, report, schedule, exhibit, or other document or from an audit report relating to any of those documents. With the information provided to the department by any person, the department of revenue shall publish at least once each month:

139.11(4)(b)1. 1. Statistics on the total number of liters of the types and brands of intoxicating liquor sold in this state.

139.11(4)(b)2. 2. A current and regularly updated list, made available on paper and on the department’s Internet website, of permit holders that minimally includes detailed information on the name, address, contact person, and date of permit issuance for every common carrier permit issued under s. 125.22, fulfillment house permit issued under s. 125.23, manufacturer’s and rectifier’s permit issued under s. 125.52, winery permit issued under s. 125.53, direct wine shipper’s permit issued under s. 125.535, wholesaler’s permit issued under s. 125.54, and out-of-state shipper’s permit issued under s. 125.58.

139.11(4)(b)3. 3. A report summarizing the identity, quantity, and price of all products sold under each winery permit issued under s. 125.53 and each direct wine shipper’s permit issued under s. 125.535.

139.11(4)(b)4. 4. A report summarizing the sales quantity and product data available for all products sold under each wholesaler’s permit issued under s. 125.54.

139.11 History History: 1981 c. 20; 1985 a. 120, 302; 1987 a. 312 ss. 10, 17; 1991 a. 39; 1993 a. 482; 1997 a. 27; 2007 a. 20, 85; 2011 a. 68; 2015 a. 216, 372; 2017 a. 17; 2017 a. 365 s. 112; 2023 a. 73.

139.11 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ss. Tax 7.01, 8.02, 8.21, and 8.81, Wis. adm. code.

139.115 139.115 Collection. Sections 71.91 (1) (a) and (c) and (2) to (7) and 71.92 as they apply to the taxes under ch. 71 apply to the taxes under this subchapter.

139.115 History History: 1991 a. 39.

139.18 139.18 Presumptions from possession.

139.18(1) (1) The possession of any fermented malt beverages on any licensed premises, other than upon the premises of a brewer, brewpub, or bottler, shall be deemed prima facie evidence that such products are kept with intent to sell and that such products are subject to the tax herein imposed.

139.18(2) (2) The possession of intoxicating liquor on which a tax has not been paid except upon the premises of a manufacturer, rectifier or wholesaler, or any licensed public warehouse shall be deemed prima facie evidence that such liquor is possessed with the intent to sell it contrary to law.

139.18 History History: 1985 a. 120; 2007 a. 20.

139.20 139.20 Compulsory testimony.

139.20(1) (1) Any person may be compelled to testify in regard to any violation of this chapter of which the person may have knowledge, even though such testimony may tend to incriminate the person, upon being granted immunity from prosecution in connection therewith, and upon the giving of such testimony, such person shall not be prosecuted for or because of the violation relative to which the person has testified.

139.20(2) (2) The immunity provided under sub. (1) is subject to the restrictions under s. 972.085.

139.20 History History: 1989 a. 122, 359.

139.22 139.22 Confiscation. If a duly authorized employee of the department of revenue or the department of justice or any sheriff, police officer, marshal, or constable, within his or her respective jurisdiction, discovers any fermented malt beverages upon any premises other than the premises of a brewer, brewpub, or bottler, or any intoxicating liquor upon any premises other than the premises of a manufacturer, rectifier, winery, or wholesaler, and upon which the tax has not been paid or which was possessed, kept, stored, manufactured, sold, distributed, or transported in violation of ss. 139.01 to 139.25, the employee or any such officer may immediately seize the fermented malt beverages or intoxicating liquors. Any such fermented malt beverages or intoxicating liquors so seized shall be transferred by the department of revenue to the division and disposed of under s. 125.14 (2) (e).

139.22 History History: 1975 c. 39, 199; 1977 c. 29; 1981 c. 79 s. 18; 2007 a. 20; 2023 a. 73.

139.25 139.25 Penalties.

139.25(1) (1) Interest and penalties. Unpaid taxes bear interest at the rate of 12 percent per year from the due date of the return until paid or deposited with the department, and all refunded taxes bear interest at the rate of 3 percent per year from the due date of the return to the date on which the refund is certified on the refund rolls.

139.25(1m) (1m) Order of application. All nondelinquent payments of additional amounts owed shall be applied in the following order: penalties, interest, tax principal.

139.25(2) (2) Delinquent returns. Delinquent beverage tax returns are subject to a $10 late filing fee. Delinquent beverage taxes bear interest at the rate of 1.5 percent per month until paid. The taxes imposed by this subchapter shall become delinquent if not paid:

139.25(2)(a) (a) In the case of a timely filed return, no return or a late return, on or before the due date of the return; or

139.25(2)(b) (b) In the case of a deficiency determination of taxes, within 2 months after the date of demand.

139.25(3) (3) Incorrect return. If an incorrect return is filed and upon a showing by the department under s. 73.16 (4), the entire tax finally determined is subject to a penalty of 25 percent of the tax exclusive of interest or other penalty. A person filing an incorrect return has the burden of proving that the error or errors were due to good cause and not due to neglect.

139.25(4) (4) Failure to file return. In case of failure to file any return required under s. 139.05, 139.06 or 139.11 by the due date, and upon a showing by the department under s. 73.16 (4), there shall be added to the amount required to be shown as tax on that return 5 percent of the amount of that tax if the failure is for not more than one month, and an additional 5 percent of the tax for each additional month or fraction thereof during which that failure continues, not exceeding 25 percent of the tax in the aggregate. For purposes of this subsection, the amount of tax required to be shown on the return shall be reduced by the amount of any part of the tax which is paid on or before the due date prescribed for payment of the tax and by the amount of any credit against the tax which may be claimed upon the return.

139.25(5) (5) False or fraudulent return. If a person fails to file a return when due or files a false or fraudulent return with intent in either case to defeat or evade the tax imposed by this subchapter, a penalty of 50 percent of the tax shall be added to the tax required to be paid, exclusive of interest and other penalties.

139.25(6) (6) Furnish data or return. Any person who fails to furnish any return required to be made or who fails to furnish any data required by the department may be fined not more than $500 or imprisoned for not more than 30 days or both.

139.25(7) (7) Report or return verification. Any person, including an officer of a corporation, who is required to make, render, sign or verify any report or return required by this subchapter and who makes a false or fraudulent report or return or who fails to furnish a report or return when due with the intent, in either case, to defeat or evade the tax imposed by this subchapter may be fined not more than $500 or imprisoned for not more than 30 days or both.

139.25(8) (8) Assisting false or fraudulent return. No person may aid, abet or assist another in making any false or fraudulent return or false statement in any return required by this subchapter, with intent to defraud the state or evade payment of the tax, or any part thereof, imposed by this subchapter. Anyone who violates this subsection may be fined not more than $500 or imprisoned for not more than 30 days or both.

139.25(9) (9) Failure to keep records. Failure to comply with s. 139.11 (1) shall carry a penalty of revocation by the division of the license or permit.

139.25(10) (10) Miscellaneous. Any person who violates any provision of ss. 139.01 to 139.22 for which specific penalty is not provided shall be fined not more than $500 nor less than $50, or imprisoned not more than 90 days nor less than 10 days or both, and any license or permit issued to that person shall be subject to revocation. The license or permit of any licensee or permittee convicted of evading payment of the tax on intoxicating liquor, or any attempt to evade payment of such tax, shall be deemed forfeited immediately upon conviction.

139.25(11) (11) Second offenses. Any person convicted of a 2nd offense under the provisions of ss. 139.01 to 139.22 shall, in addition to the penalties provided in this section, forfeit all rights conferred upon him or her by any license issued to him or her by any city, village or town, without notice.

139.25 History History: 1977 c. 418 s. 924 (18) (e); 1985 a. 120; 1987 a. 399; 2011 a. 68; 2013 a. 20; 2023 a. 73.

139.26 139.26 Prosecutions by attorney general. Upon request by the secretary of revenue, the attorney general may represent this state or assist a district attorney in prosecuting any case arising under this subchapter.

139.26 History History: 1985 a. 302.

subch. II of ch. 139 SUBCHAPTER II

CIGARETTE TAXES

Subch. II of ch. 139 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ch. Tax 9, Wis. adm. code.

139.30 139.30 Cigarette tax; definitions. In ss. 139.30 to 139.44, unless the context otherwise requires:

139.30(1d) (1d) “Bonded direct marketer” means any person who acquires unstamped cigarettes from the manufacturer thereof, affixes stamps to the packages or other containers, stores them and sells them by direct marketing to consumers for their own personal use and who may also acquire stamped cigarettes from manufacturers or distributors for such sales.

139.30(1m) (1m) “Cigarette” means any roll of tobacco wrapped in paper or any substance other than tobacco.

139.30(1s) (1s) “Consumer” means any individual who receives cigarettes for his or her personal use or consumption or any individual who has title to or possession of cigarettes for any purpose other than for sale or resale.

139.30(2) (2) “Department” means the department of revenue.

139.30(2n) (2n) “Direct marketer” means a bonded direct marketer or a nonbonded direct marketer.

139.30(2p) (2p) “Direct marketing” means publishing or making accessible an offer for the sale of cigarettes to consumers in this state, or selling cigarettes to consumers in this state, using any means by which the consumer is not physically present at the time of sale on a premise that sells cigarettes.

139.30(3) (3) “Distributor” means any person who acquires unstamped cigarettes from the manufacturer thereof, affixes stamps to the packages or other containers, stores them and sells them to other permittees or to retailers for resale or who acquires stamped cigarettes from another permittee for such sales.

139.30(4) (4) “Enrolled member” means a person whose name appears on the tribal role of an Indian tribe or whose status as an enrolled member of a tribe is recognized by the tribal council of that tribe.

139.30(4m) (4m) “File” means mail or deliver a document that the department prescribes to the department or, if the department prescribes another method of submitting or another destination, use that other method or submit to that other destination.

139.30(4n) (4n) “Government issued identification” includes a valid driver’s license, state identification card, passport, or military identification.

139.30(5) (5) “Indian tribe” means a federally recognized American Indian tribe or band in this state.

139.30(6) (6) “Jobber” means any person who acquires stamped cigarettes from manufacturers or distributors, stores them and sells them to retailers for resale.

139.30(7) (7) “Manufacturer” means any person who manufactures cigarettes for the purpose of sale, including the authorized agent of a person who manufactures cigarettes for the purpose of sale. “Manufacturer” includes a person who owns an automated roll-your-own machine that is used to make cigarettes, but does not include an individual who owns a roll-your-own machine and uses the machine in his or her home solely to make cigarettes for his or her personal use or for the use of other individuals who live in his or her home.

139.30(8) (8) “Multiple retailer” means any person who acquires stamped cigarettes from manufacturers or permittees, stores them and sells them to consumers through 10 or more retail outlets which he or she owns and operates within or without this state.

139.30(8d) (8d) “Nonbonded direct marketer” means any person who acquires stamped cigarettes from the manufacturers or distributors, stores them, and sells them by direct marketing to consumers for their own personal use.

139.30(8m) (8m) “Pay” means mail or deliver funds to the department or, if the department prescribes another method of submitting or another destination, use that other method or submit to that other destination.

139.30(8p) (8p) “Person” includes any individual, sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability company, corporation, or association. A single-owner entity that is disregarded as a separate entity under ch. 71 is disregarded as a separate entity for purposes of this subchapter.

139.30(9) (9) “Reservation” means all land within the boundaries of the Bad River, Forest County Potawatomi, Lac Courte Oreilles, Lac du Flambeau, Menominee, Mole Lake, Oneida, Red Cliff, St. Croix and Stockbridge-Munsee reservations and the Winnebago Indian communities.

139.30(10) (10) “Retailer” has the meaning given in s. 134.66 (1) (g).

139.30(11) (11) “Secretary” means the secretary of revenue.

139.30(12) (12) “Sell” or “sale” includes the transfer, gift, barter, trade or exchange or any shift, device, scheme or transaction whereby cigarettes may be obtained and the solicitation of orders for, or the sale for, future delivery of cigarettes.