Chapter 71

71.26(3)(ag)2.a. a. Broadband expansion.

71.26(3)(ag)2.b. b. Privately owned movie theater grants.

71.26(3)(ag)2.c. c. A nonprofit grant program.

71.26(3)(ag)2.d. d. A tourism grants program.

71.26(3)(ag)2.e. e. A cultural organization grant program.

71.26(3)(ag)2.f. f. Music and performance venue grants.

71.26(3)(ag)2.g. g. Lodging industry grants.

71.26(3)(ag)2.h. h. Low-income home energy assistance.

71.26(3)(ag)2.i. i. A rental assistance program.

71.26(3)(ag)2.j. j. Supplemental child care grants.

71.26(3)(ag)2.k. k. A food insecurity initiative.

71.26(3)(ag)2.L. L. A farm support program.

71.26(3)(ag)2.m. m. Grants to small businesses.

71.26(3)(ag)2.n. n. Ethanol industry assistance.

71.26(3)(ag)2.o. o. Wisconsin Eye.

71.26(3)(ag)3. 3. Income received in the form of a grant issued by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation during and related to the COVID-19 pandemic under the ethnic minority emergency grant program. Amounts otherwise deductible under this chapter that are paid directly or indirectly with the grant money are deductible.

71.26(3)(ag)4. 4. Income received in the form of a grant from the restaurant revitalization fund under section 5003 of the federal American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, P.L. 117-2. Amounts otherwise deductible under this chapter that are paid directly or indirectly with the grant money are deductible. Amounts excluded under this subdivision by a tax-option corporation or partnership shall be treated as tax-exempt income for purposes of sections 705 and 1366 of the Internal Revenue Code.

71.26(3)(ar) (ar) Section 78 (relating to treating taxes as dividends) is excluded.

71.26(3)(b) (b) Section 103 (relating to an exemption for interest) is excluded and replaced, for corporations subject to taxation under s. 71.23 (1), by the rule that any interest income not included in federal taxable income, except interest under sub. (1m), is added to federal taxable income and any interest income which is by federal law exempt from taxation by this state is excluded, and replaced, for corporations subject to taxation under s. 71.23 (2), by the rule that any interest income not included in federal taxable income is added to federal taxable income.

71.26(3)(c) (c) Section 108 (b) (relating to reduction of tax attributes) is modified so that the net operating loss under sub. (4), not the federal net operating loss, and Wisconsin credits, not federal credits, are applied, and the reduction rate for a credit carry-over is 7.9 percent, not 33 1/3 percent.

71.26(3)(cf) (cf) For taxable years beginning after December 31, 2016, section 118 (a) (relating to nonshareholder contributions to capital) is modified so that the amount of income and franchise tax credits under s. 71.28 (3q) (b), (3w) (b) and (bm) 1., 2., and 4., (3wm) (b) and (bm), and (3y) (b) that is not included in federal taxable income is added to federal taxable income.

71.26(3)(d) (d) Section 133 (relating to an exclusion for interest) is excluded.

71.26(3)(e) (e) Section 162 (relating to trade or business expenses) is modified as follows:

71.26(3)(e)1. 1. So that payments for wages, salaries, commissions and bonuses of employees and officers may be deducted only if the name, address and amount paid to each resident of this state to whom compensation of $600 or more has been paid during the taxable year is reported or if the department of revenue is satisfied that failure to report has resulted in no revenue loss to this state.

71.26(3)(e)2. 2. So that payments for rent may be deducted only if the amount paid, together with the names and addresses of the parties to whom rent has been paid, is reported as provided under s. 71.70 (2).

71.26(3)(e)3. 3. So that payments for wages, salaries, bonuses, interest or other expenses paid to an entertainer or entertainment corporation may be deducted only if the corporation complies with ss. 71.63 (3) (b), 71.64 (4) and (5) and 71.80 (15) (e).

71.26(3)(e)4. 4. So that moving expenses, as defined in s. 71.01 (8j), paid or incurred during the taxable year to move the taxpayer’s Wisconsin business operation, in whole or in part, to a location outside the state or to move the taxpayer’s business operations outside the United States may not be deducted as provided under the Internal Revenue Code.

71.26(3)(f) (f) Section 164 (a) is modified so that foreign taxes are not deductible unless the income on which the tax is based is taxable under this chapter and so that gross receipts taxes assessed in lieu of property taxes, the license fee under s. 76.28 and the taxes under ss. 70.375 and 76.81 are deductible.

71.26(3)(g) (g) Section 164 (a) (3) is modified so that state taxes and taxes of the District of Columbia that are value-added taxes, single business taxes or taxes on or measured by all or a portion of net income, gross income, gross receipts or capital stock are not deductible.

71.26(3)(h) (h) Section 164 (a) (4) as it relates to a deduction for the windfall profits tax is excluded.

71.26(3)(hd) (hd) Section 164 (a) as it relates to a deduction for the environmental tax that is imposed under section 59A is excluded.

71.26(3)(hm) (hm) Section 171 is modified so that the rules for federally taxable bonds also apply to bonds that are taxable under par. (b) and the rules for federally tax-exempt bonds apply to bonds that are exempt from tax under this chapter.

71.26(3)(i) (i) Section 172 is excluded and replaced by the treatment of business loss carry-forwards under sub. (4).

71.26(3)(j) (j) Sections 243, 244, 245, 245A, 246 and 246A are excluded and replaced by the rule that corporations may deduct from income dividends received from a corporation with respect to its common stock if the corporation receiving the dividends owns, directly or indirectly, during the entire taxable year at least 70 percent of the total combined voting stock of the payor corporation. In this paragraph, “dividends received” means gross dividends minus taxes on those dividends paid to a foreign nation and claimed as a deduction under this chapter. The same dividends may not be deducted more than once.

71.26 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also s. Tax 3.03, Wis. adm. code.

71.26(3)(k) (k) Section 247 (relating to dividends on preferred stock of public utilities) is excluded.

71.26(3)(L) (L) Section 265 is excluded and replaced by the rule that any amount otherwise deductible under this chapter that is directly or indirectly related to income wholly exempt from taxes imposed by this chapter or to losses from the sale or other disposition of assets the gain from which would be exempt under this paragraph if the assets were sold or otherwise disposed of at a gain is not deductible. In this paragraph, “wholly exempt income”, for corporations subject to franchise or income taxes, includes amounts received from affiliated or subsidiary corporations for interest, dividends or capital gains that, because of the degree of common ownership, control or management between the payor and payee, are not subject to taxes under this chapter. In this paragraph, “wholly exempt income”, for corporations subject to income taxation under this chapter, also includes interest on obligations of the United States. In this paragraph, “wholly exempt income” does not include income excludable, not recognized, exempt or deductible under specific provisions of this chapter. If any expense or amount otherwise deductible is indirectly related both to wholly exempt income or loss and to other income or loss, a reasonable proportion of the expense or amount shall be allocated to each type of income or loss, in light of all the facts and circumstances. This paragraph does not apply to the exclusion under par. (ag) 2., 3., or 4.

71.26(3)(m) (m) Section 267 (relating to transactions between related taxpayers) is modified so that gains may be reduced only if the corresponding loss was incurred while the corporation was subject to tax under this chapter.

71.26(3)(ms) (ms) Section 291 (a) (3) is modified so that it does not apply to deductions that are allocable to income that is taxable under this chapter.

71.26(3)(n) (n) Sections 381, 382 and 383 (relating to carry-overs in certain corporate acquisitions) are modified so that they apply to losses under sub. (4) and credits under s. 71.28 (1dm), (1dx), (3), (4), (4m), and (5) instead of to federal credits and federal net operating losses.

71.26(3)(o) (o) Section 468A (relating to nuclear decommissioning trust and reserve funds) is modified so that the deduction under section 468A (a) is allowed only if the fund is subject to tax under this chapter.

71.26(3)(p) (p) Sections 501 to 511 and 513 to 528 (relating to exempt organizations) are excluded, except as they pertain to the definitions of unrelated business taxable income in section 512, and replaced by the treatment of exemptions under sub. (1).

71.26(3)(q) (q) For taxable years beginning before January 1, 2014, sections 613 and 613A (relating to percentage depletion) are excluded.

71.26(3)(s) (s) Sections 951 to 964 (relating to controlled foreign corporations) are excluded, and, for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2006, sections 951 to 965 (relating to controlled foreign corporations) are excluded.

71.26(3)(t) (t) Sections 991 to 994, 995 as amended by section 802 of P.L. 98-369, and section 999 as amended by section 802 of P.L. 98-369 (relating to domestic international sales corporations) are excluded.

71.26(3)(tm) (tm) Section 1016 (a) is modified so that the rules for federally taxable bonds also apply to bonds that are taxable under par. (b) and the rules for federally tax-exempt bonds apply to bonds that are exempt from tax under this chapter.

71.26(3)(u) (u) Section 1017 (relating to adjustments to basis because of discharge of indebtedness) is modified to reflect the modification under par. (c).

71.26(3)(v) (v) Section 1033 is modified so that it does not apply to involuntary conversions of property in this state that produces nonbusiness income and that is replaced with similar property outside this state and to involuntary conversions of property in this state that produces business income and that is replaced with property outside this state if at the time of replacement the taxpayer is not subject to tax under this chapter.

71.26(3)(vm) (vm)

71.26(3)(vm)1. 1. For taxable years beginning after December 31, 2019, section 1400Z-2 (relating to capital gains invested in opportunity zones) is modified so that an increase in basis is twice the amount determined under section 1400Z-2 (b) (2) (B) (iii) for an investment held in a Wisconsin qualified opportunity fund for at least 5 years or under section 1400Z-2 (b) (2) (B) (iv) for an investment held in a Wisconsin qualified opportunity fund for at least 7 years. In this subdivision, “Wisconsin qualified opportunity fund” has the meaning given in s. 71.05 (25m) (a) 2.

71.26(3)(vm)2. 2. In the form and manner prescribed by the department, a fund shall annually certify to each investor and the department that it qualifies as a Wisconsin qualified opportunity fund for the fund’s taxable year. A fund shall make the annual certifications under this subdivision no later than the due date, including extensions, of the fund’s corresponding income or franchise tax return under this chapter.

71.26(3)(x) (x) Sections 1501 to 1505, 1551, 1552, 1563 and 1564 (relating to consolidated returns) are excluded, except that U.S. Treasury Regulation 1.1502-13, relating to deferred gain or loss from an intercompany transaction, applies to transactions between combined group members under s. 71.255 (4) (g).

71.26(3)(y) (y) For taxable years beginning before January 1, 2014, a corporation shall compute amortization and depreciation under the federal Internal Revenue Code as amended to December 31, 2000, except that property first placed in service by the taxpayer on or after January 1, 1983, but before January 1, 1987, that, under s. 71.04 (15) (b) and (br), 1985 stats., is required to be depreciated under the Internal Revenue Code as amended to December 31, 1980, and property first placed in service in taxable year 1981 or thereafter but before January 1, 1987, that, under s. 71.04 (15) (bm), 1985 stats., is required to be depreciated under the Internal Revenue Code as amended to December 31, 1980, shall continue to be depreciated under the Internal Revenue Code as amended to December 31, 1980.

71.26(3)(ym) (ym)

71.26(3)(ym)1. 1. Except as provided in subd. 2., starting with the first taxable year beginning after December 31, 2013, and for each of the next 4 taxable years, a corporation shall subtract 20 percent of the amount determined by subtracting the combined federal adjusted basis of all depreciated or amortized assets as of the last day of the taxable year beginning in 2013 that are also being depreciated or amortized for Wisconsin from the combined Wisconsin adjusted basis of those assets on the same day.

71.26(3)(ym)2. 2. If any taxable year for which the modification under subd. 1. is required is a fractional year under s. 71.24 (6) (c), the difference between the modification allowed for the fractional year and the modification allowed for the 12-month taxable year shall be a modification for the first taxable year beginning after December 31, 2018.

71.26(4) (4) Net business loss carry-forward.

71.26(4)(a) (a) Except as provided in par. (b) and s. 71.80 (25), a corporation, except a tax-option corporation or an insurer to which s. 71.45 (4) applies, may offset against its Wisconsin net business income any Wisconsin net business loss incurred in any of the 20 immediately preceding taxable years, if the corporation was subject to taxation under this chapter in the taxable year in which the loss was incurred, to the extent not offset by other items of Wisconsin income in the loss year and by Wisconsin net business income of any year between the loss year and the taxable year for which an offset is claimed. For purposes of this subsection, Wisconsin net business income or loss shall consist of all the income attributable to the operation of a trade or business in this state, less the business expenses allowed as deductions in computing net income. The Wisconsin net business income or loss of corporations engaged in business within and without the state shall be determined under s. 71.25 (6) and (10) to (12). Nonapportionable losses having a Wisconsin situs under s. 71.25 (5) (b) shall be included in Wisconsin net business loss; and nonapportionable income having a Wisconsin situs under s. 71.25 (5) (b), whether taxable or exempt, shall be included in other items of Wisconsin income and Wisconsin net business income for purposes of this subsection.

71.26(4)(b) (b) A corporation that is part of a combined group under s. 71.255 may offset against its Wisconsin net business income any unused pre-2009 net business loss carry-forward under s. 71.255 (6) (bm) for the 20 taxable years that begin after December 31, 2011.

71.26 History History: 1987 a. 312; 1987 a. 411 ss. 22, 124 to 129; 1989 a. 31, 336; 1991 a. 37, 39, 221, 269; 1993 a. 16, 112, 246, 263, 399, 437, 491; 1995 a. 27, 56, 351, 371, 380, 428; 1997 a. 27, 37, 184, 237; 1999 a. 9, 65; 1999 a. 150 s. 672; 1999 a. 167, 194; 2001 a. 16, 38, 106, 109; 2003 a. 33, 85, 99, 135, 255, 326; 2005 a. 25, 74, 335, 361, 362, 479, 483; 2007 a. 20, 96, 97, 151, 226; 2009 a. 2, 28, 161, 165, 180, 183, 205, 265, 269, 295, 332, 344; 2011 a. 3, 5, 7, 10, 32, 212, 232; 2011 a. 260 s. 80; 2013 a. 20, 145; 2013 a. 165 ss. 46, 115; 2015 a. 55, 60, 84, 196, 216; 2017 a. 58, 59, 197, 231, 364; 2017 a. 365 s. 111; 2019 a. 7, 9, 54, 136, 185; 2021 a. 1, 127, 156; 2023 a. 19, 36, 138, 146; s. 35.17 correction in (2) (b) 11. e., 15. c.

71.26 Annotation Under s. 71.06 (1) [now sub. (4)], the loss carry-over privilege was limited to an “identical taxpayer”; merging corporations are not entitled to the privilege. DOR v. United States Shoe Corp., 158 Wis. 2d 123, 462 N.W.2d 233 (Ct. App. 1990).

71.26 Annotation Revisions to sub. (1) (a) by 1995 Wis. Act 27 were constitutional. Group Health Cooperative of Eau Claire v. DOR, 229 Wis. 2d 846, 601 N.W.2d 1 (Ct. App. 1999), 98-1264.

71.265 71.265 Previously exempt corporations; basis and depreciation. The Wisconsin adjusted basis of the property of any corporation that has, in any taxable year before it ceases to be exempt from tax under this chapter, taken depreciation or amortization of depreciable property for federal income tax purposes shall be the adjusted basis of that property as computed for federal income tax purposes as of the beginning of the taxable year in which the corporation ceases to be exempt. The corporation may continue, after it ceases to be exempt, to depreciate that property under the method used previously for federal income tax purposes.

71.265 History History: 1987 a. 399; 1987 a. 411 s. 33; Stats. 1987 s. 71.265.

71.27 71.27 Rates of taxation.

71.27(1) (1) The taxes to be assessed, levied and collected upon Wisconsin net incomes of corporations shall be computed at the rate of 7.9 percent.

71.27(2) (2) The corporation franchise tax imposed under s. 71.23 (2) and measured by Wisconsin net income shall be computed at the rate of 7.9 percent.

71.27 History History: 1987 a. 312; 2009 a. 28, 276.

71.275 71.275 Rate changes. If a rate under s. 71.27 changes during a taxable year, the taxpayer shall compute the tax for that taxable year by the methods applicable to the federal income tax under section 15 of the internal revenue code.

71.275 History History: 1989 a. 31.

71.28 71.28 Credits.

71.28(1) (1) Community development finance credit.

71.28(1)(a) (a) Any corporation which contributes an amount to the community development finance authority under s. 233.03, 1985 stats., or to the housing and economic development authority under s. 234.03 (32) and, in the same year, purchases common stock or partnership interests of the community development finance company issued under s. 233.05 (2), 1985 stats., or s. 234.95 (2) in an amount no greater than the contribution to the authority may credit against taxes otherwise due an amount equal to 75 percent of the purchase price of the stock or partnership interests. The credit received under this paragraph may not exceed 75 percent of the contribution to the community development finance authority.

71.28(1)(b) (b) Any corporation receiving a credit under this subsection may carry forward to the next succeeding 15 taxable years the amount of the credit not offset against taxes for the year of purchase to the extent not offset by those taxes otherwise due in all intervening years between the year for which the credit was computed and the year for which the carry-forward is claimed.

71.28(1)(c) (c) A claimant who has filed a timely claim under this subsection may file an amended claim with the department of revenue within 4 years of the last day prescribed by law for filing the original claim.

71.28(1)(d) (d) No credit may be claimed under this subsection for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2013. Credits under this subsection for taxable years that begin before January 1, 2014, may be carried forward to taxable years that begin after December 31, 2013.

71.28(1dm) (1dm) Development zone capital investment credit.

71.28(1dm)(a) (a) In this subsection:

71.28(1dm)(a)1. 1. “Certified” means entitled under s. 238.395 (3) (a) 4. or s. 560.795 (3) (a) 4., 2009 stats., to claim tax benefits or certified under s. 238.395 (5) or 238.398 (3) or s. 560.795 (5), 2009 stats., or s. 560.798 (3), 2009 stats.

71.28(1dm)(a)2. 2. “Claimant” means a person who files a claim under this subsection.

71.28(1dm)(a)3. 3. “Development zone” means a development opportunity zone under s. 238.395 (1) (e) and (f) or 238.398 or s. 560.795 (1) (e) and (f), 2009 stats., or s. 560.798, 2009 stats.

71.28(1dm)(a)4. 4. “Previously owned property” means real property that the claimant or a related person owned during the 2 years prior to the department of commerce or the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation designating the place where the property is located as a development zone and for which the claimant may not deduct a loss from the sale of the property to, or an exchange of the property with, the related person under section 267 of the Internal Revenue Code, except that section 267 (b) of the Internal Revenue Code is modified so that if the claimant owns any part of the property, rather than 50 percent ownership, the claimant is subject to section 267 (a) (1) of the Internal Revenue Code for purposes of this subsection.

71.28(1dm)(b) (b) Subject to the limitations provided in this subsection and in s. 73.03 (35), for any taxable year for which the claimant is certified, a claimant may claim as a credit against the taxes imposed under s. 71.23 an amount that is equal to 3 percent of the following:

71.28(1dm)(b)1. 1. The purchase price of depreciable, tangible personal property.

71.28(1dm)(b)2. 2. The amount expended to acquire, construct, rehabilitate, remodel, or repair real property in a development zone.

71.28(1dm)(c) (c) A claimant may claim the credit under par. (b) 1., if the tangible personal property is purchased after the claimant is certified and the personal property is used for at least 50 percent of its use in the claimant’s business at a location in a development zone or, if the property is mobile, the property’s base of operations for at least 50 percent of its use is at a location in a development zone.

71.28(1dm)(d) (d) A claimant may claim the credit under par. (b) 2. for an amount expended to construct, rehabilitate, remodel, or repair real property, if the claimant began the physical work of construction, rehabilitation, remodeling, or repair, or any demolition or destruction in preparation for the physical work, after the place where the property is located was designated a development zone, or if the completed project is placed in service after the claimant is certified. In this paragraph, “physical work” does not include preliminary activities such as planning, designing, securing financing, researching, developing specifications, or stabilizing the property to prevent deterioration.

71.28(1dm)(e) (e) A claimant may claim the credit under par. (b) 2. for an amount expended to acquire real property, if the property is not previously owned property and if the claimant acquires the property after the place where the property is located was designated a development zone, or if the completed project is placed in service after the claimant is certified.

71.28(1dm)(f) (f) No credit may be allowed under this subsection unless the claimant includes with the claimant’s return: