Chapter 77

77.65(4)(a) (a) Limit the number of state sales and use tax rates.

77.65(4)(b) (b) Limit the application of any maximums on the amount of state sales and use tax that is due on a transaction.

77.65(4)(c) (c) Limit thresholds on the application of sales and use tax.

77.65(4)(d) (d) Establish uniform standards for the sourcing of transactions to the appropriate taxing jurisdictions, for administering exempt sales, and for sales and use tax returns and remittances.

77.65(4)(e) (e) Develop and adopt uniform definitions related to sales and use tax.

77.65(4)(f) (f) Provide, with all states that are signatories to the agreement, a central electronic registration system that allows a seller to register to collect and remit sales and use taxes for all states that are signatories to the agreement.

77.65(4)(fm) (fm) Provide that a seller who registers with the central electronic registration system under par. (f) may cancel the registration at any time, as provided under uniform procedures adopted by the governing board of the states that are signatories to the agreement, but is required to remit any Wisconsin taxes collected pursuant to the agreement to the department.

77.65(4)(g) (g) Provide that the state shall not use a seller’s registration with the central electronic registration system under par. (f), and the subsequent collection and remittance of sales and use taxes in the states that are signatories to the agreement, to determine whether the seller has sufficient connection with the state for the purpose of imposing any tax.

77.65(4)(h) (h) Restrict variances between the state tax bases and local tax bases.

77.65(4)(i) (i) Administer all sales and use taxes imposed by local jurisdictions within the state so that sellers who collect and remit such taxes are not required to register with, or submit returns or taxes to, local jurisdictions and are not subject to audits by local jurisdictions.

77.65(4)(j) (j) Restrict the frequency of changes in any local sales and use tax rates and provide notice of any such changes.

77.65(4)(k) (k) Establish effective dates for the application of local jurisdictional boundary changes to local sales and use tax rates and provide notice of any such changes.

77.65(4)(L) (L) Provide monetary allowances to sellers and certified service providers as outlined in the agreement.

77.65(4)(m) (m) Certify compliance with the agreement before entering into the agreement and maintain compliance with the agreement.

77.65(4)(n) (n) Adopt a uniform policy, with the states that are signatories to the agreement, for certified service providers that protects a consumer’s privacy and maintains tax information confidentiality.

77.65(4)(o) (o) Appoint, with the states that are signatories to the agreement, an advisory council to consult with in administering the agreement. The advisory council shall consist of private sector representatives and representatives from states that are not signatories to the agreement.

77.65(5) (5) Cooperating states. The agreement entered into under this section is an accord among cooperating states to further their governmental functions and provides a mechanism among the cooperating states to establish and maintain a cooperative, simplified system for the application and administration of sales and use taxes that are imposed by each state that is a signatory to the agreement.

77.65(6) (6) Limited binding and beneficial effect.

77.65(6)(a) (a) The agreement entered into under this section binds, and inures to the benefit of, only the states that are signatories to the agreement. Any benefit that a person may receive from the agreement is established by this state’s law and not by the terms of the agreement.

77.65(6)(b) (b) No person shall have any cause of action or defense under the agreement or because of the department entering into the agreement. No person may challenge any action or inaction by any department, agency, other instrumentality of this state, or any political subdivision of this state on the ground that the action or inaction is inconsistent with the agreement.

77.65(6)(c) (c) No law of this state, or the application of such law, may be declared invalid on the ground that the law, or the application of such law, is inconsistent with the agreement.

77.65(7) (7) Relationship to state law. No provision of the agreement in whole or in part invalidates or amends any law of this state and the state becoming a signatory to the agreement shall not amend or modify any law of this state.

77.65 History History: 2001 a. 16; 2009 a. 2; 2015 a. 216.

77.66 77.66 Certification for collection of sales and use tax. The secretary of revenue shall determine and periodically certify to the secretary of administration the names of persons, and affiliates, as defined in s. 16.70 (1b), of persons, who make sales of tangible personal property, or items, property, or goods under s. 77.52 (1) (b), (c), or (d), and taxable services that are subject to the taxes imposed under this subchapter but who are not registered to collect and remit such taxes to the department or, if registered, do not collect and remit such taxes.

77.66 History History: 2003 a. 33; 2009 a. 2.

77.67 77.67 Amnesty for new registrants.

77.67(1) (1) A seller is not liable for uncollected and unpaid taxes, including penalties and interest, imposed under this subchapter and subch. V on sales made to purchasers in this state before the seller registers under par. (a), if all of the following apply:

77.67(1)(a) (a) The seller registers with the department, in a manner that the department prescribes, to collect and remit the taxes imposed under this subchapter and subch. V on sales to purchasers in this state in accordance with the agreement, as defined in s. 77.65 (2) (a).

77.67(1)(b) (b) The seller registers under par. (a) no later than 365 days after the effective date of this state’s participation in the agreement under s. 77.65 (2) (a), as determined by the department.

77.67(1)(c) (c) The seller was not registered to collect and remit the taxes imposed under this subchapter and subch. V during the 365 consecutive days immediately before the effective date of this state’s participation in the agreement under s. 77.65 (2) (a), as determined by the department.

77.67(1)(d) (d) The seller has not received a notice of the commencement of an audit from the department or, if the seller has received a notice of the commencement of an audit from the department, the audit has been fully resolved, including any related administrative and judicial processes, at the time that the seller registers under par. (a).

77.67(1)(e) (e) The seller has not committed or been involved in a fraud or an intentional misrepresentation of a material fact.

77.67(1)(f) (f) The seller collects and remits the taxes imposed under this subchapter and subch. V on sales to purchasers in this state for at least 3 consecutive years after the date on which the seller’s collection obligation begins.

77.67(2) (2) Subsection (1) does not apply to taxes imposed under this subchapter and subch. V that are due from the seller for purchases made by the seller.

77.67 History History: 2009 a. 2.

77.68 77.68 Qualified child sales and use tax rebate for 2018.

77.68(1) (1) Definitions. In this section:

77.68(1)(a) (a) “Claimant” means an individual who is eligible under sub. (3) to claim a rebate under this section.

77.68(1)(b) (b) “Department” means the department of revenue.

77.68(1)(c) (c) “Full-year resident” means an individual who was a resident of this state for the entire year of 2017.

77.68(1)(d) (d) “Nonresident” means an individual who was not a resident of this state for any part of 2017.

77.68(1)(e) (e) “Part-year resident” means an individual who was a resident of this state for some part of 2017.

77.68(1)(f) (f) “Qualified child” means an individual to whom all of the following apply:

77.68(1)(f)1. 1. The individual is under 18 years of age for the entire year of 2017.

77.68(1)(f)2. 2. The individual is the claimant’s dependent, as defined under section 152 of the Internal Revenue Code.

77.68(1)(f)3. 3. The individual is a United States citizen.

77.68(1)(f)4. 4. The individual was a resident of this state on December 31, 2017.

77.68(2) (2) Claims.

77.68(2)(a) (a) Subject to the limitations and conditions under sub. (4), a claimant may claim, as an approximation of the nonbusiness Wisconsin sales or use tax paid in 2017 for raising children, a rebate equal to $100 for each qualified child of the claimant. An eligible claimant may claim the rebate by submitting an online application, as prescribed by the department. The department may request that the claimant verify the eligibility of the claimant or child by submitting to the department vital records information or any other information requested by the department. For purposes of this paragraph, the department of health services shall supply, without charge, vital records information to the department of revenue.

77.68(2)(b) (b) For each approved claim described under par. (a), the department shall certify the allowable amount of the claim to the department of administration for payment to the claimant by check, share draft, or other draft drawn from the appropriation account under s. 20.835 (2) (cc) by September 1, 2018.

77.68(3) (3) Eligibility.

77.68(3)(a) (a) An individual who is a full-year resident, nonresident, or part-year resident and who has a qualified child is eligible to receive a rebate under sub. (2) if the individual files a claim for the rebate with the department not later than June 30, 2018. The claim shall be filed by submitting an online application prescribed by the department. The department shall require a nonresident, or a part-year resident who was not a resident on December 31, 2017, to verify his or her nonbusiness Wisconsin sales or use taxes paid in 2017, and the verified amount must be at least $100 for each qualified child of the claimant to be eligible to receive a rebate under sub. (2).

77.68(3)(b) (b) A qualified child may be claimed for the rebate under sub. (2) by only one claimant.

77.68(4) (4) Limitations and conditions.

77.68(4)(a) (a) Section 71.80 (3) and (3m), as it applies to income tax refunds, applies to a sales and use tax rebate under this section.

77.68(4)(b) (b) The department may enforce the rebate under this section and may take any action, conduct any proceeding, and proceed as it is authorized with respect to taxes under ch. 71. The income tax provisions in ch. 71 relating to assessments, refunds, appeals, collection, interest, and penalties apply to the rebate under this section.

77.68(4)(c) (c) After a rebate has been issued under sub. (2) but before the check, share draft, or other draft has been cashed, the spouse of a married claimant may request a separate check, share draft, or other draft for 50 percent of the joint rebate.

77.68(4)(d) (d) If the department is unable to locate an eligible claimant who claimed a rebate under sub. (2) by December 31, 2018, or, notwithstanding s. 20.912 (1), (2), and (3), if an eligible claimant who is issued a check, share draft, or other draft does not cash the check, share draft, or other draft by December 31, 2018, the right to the rebate lapses.

77.68(4)(e) (e) If a claimant becomes deceased after he or she filed his or her claim for a rebate under sub. (2), the amount of the rebate for which the claimant is eligible shall be paid to the claimant’s estate.

77.68(5) (5) Sunset. Except as provided in sub. (4) (b), this section does not apply after December 31, 2018.

77.68 History History: 2017 a. 367; 2021 a. 238 s. 44.

subch. V of ch. 77 SUBCHAPTER V

COUNTY, MUNICIPALITY, AND
SPECIAL DISTRICT SALES
AND USE TAXES

77.70 77.70 Adoption by county ordinance.

77.70(1) (1) Except as provided in sub. (2), any county may impose county sales and use taxes under this subchapter by the adoption of an ordinance, stating its purpose and referring to this subchapter. The rate of the tax imposed under this subsection is 0.5 percent of the sales price or purchase price. Except as provided in s. 66.0621 (3m), the county sales and use taxes imposed under this subsection may be imposed only for the purpose of directly reducing the property tax levy and only in their entirety as provided in this subchapter. That ordinance shall be effective on January 1, April 1, July 1, or October 1. A certified copy of that ordinance shall be delivered to the secretary of revenue at least 120 days prior to its effective date. The repeal of any such ordinance shall be effective on December 31. A certified copy of a repeal ordinance shall be delivered to the secretary of revenue at least 120 days before the effective date of the repeal. Except as provided under s. 77.60 (9), the department of revenue may not issue any assessment or act on any claim for a refund or any claim for an adjustment under s. 77.585 after the end of the calendar year that is 4 years after the year in which the county has enacted a repeal ordinance under this subsection.

77.70(2) (2) 

77.70(2)(a) (a) In addition to the taxes imposed under sub. (1), a county in which a 1st class city is located may adopt an ordinance, by a two-thirds majority vote of all members elect of the county board, to impose sales and use taxes under this subchapter at the rate of 0.4 percent of the sales price or purchase price. An ordinance adopted under this subsection shall be effective on January 1, April 1, July 1, or October 1 and the taxes shall be imposed only in their entirety as provided in this subchapter. A certified copy of the ordinance shall be delivered to the secretary of revenue at least 120 days prior to its effective date. No county may impose a tax under this subsection unless the county makes an election to join the Wisconsin Retirement System for all new employees, pursuant to s. 40.21 (7) (a), and the county contributes the amount calculated under s. 59.875 (4) to its retirement system’s unfunded actuarial accrued liability from the taxes imposed under this subsection in 2025 and in each year thereafter until the first year in which the retirement system is determined by the retirement system’s actuary to be fully funded. After the retirement system is first fully funded, or December 31, 2050, whichever is earlier, the actuary shall determine all future required contributions from the county on the basis of standard actuarial practices, and the county shall repeal the ordinance imposing the tax. A certified copy of that ordinance shall be delivered to the secretary of revenue at least 120 days prior to its effective date. The repeal of any such ordinance shall be effective on December 31. A certified copy of a repeal ordinance shall be delivered to the secretary of revenue at least 120 days before the effective date of the repeal. Except as provided under s. 77.60 (9), the department of revenue may not issue any assessment or act on any claim for a refund or any claim for an adjustment under s. 77.585 after the end of the calendar year that is 4 years after the year in which the county has enacted a repeal ordinance under this subsection.

77.70(2)(b) (b) Annually, after making the required payment to its retirement system’s unfunded actuarial accrued liability under par. (a), the county shall use the remaining revenues received under this subsection for any of the following:

77.70(2)(b)1m. 1m. Payments for its pension bond obligations.

77.70(2)(b)2m. 2m. Additional payments for its retirement system’s unfunded actuarial accrued liability.

77.70(2)(b)3m. 3m. Payments for its employer contribution to a retirement system established under chapter 201, laws of 1937.

77.70(2)(c) (c) Annually, beginning in 2026, the county shall submit a report to the joint committee on finance, in the manner provided under s. 13.172 (2), containing detailed information on the county’s expenditures in the previous year from the revenues collected under this subsection.

77.70 History History: 1985 a. 41, 120; 1987 a. 27; 1991 a. 39; 2009 a. 2, 28; 2015 a. 197 s. 50; 2017 a. 17, 58; 2023 a. 12, 40.

77.70 Annotation This section [now sub. (1)] does not require a dollar-for-dollar offset to the property tax levy. Instead, it authorizes a county to impose a sales and use tax for the specific purpose of directly reducing the property tax levy, while leaving the means to accomplish that purpose up to the county. Because the county’s ordinance in this case did in fact directly reduce the property tax levy by funding projects that would otherwise have been paid for through additional debt obligations, the ordinance was permissible. Brown County v. Brown County Taxpayers Ass’n, 2022 WI 13, 400 Wis. 2d 781, 971 N.W.2d 491, 20-0940.

77.70 Annotation A county may not impose a tax under this section [now sub. (1)] upon admissions to amusements except as part of a general sales and use tax at the statutorily prescribed rate of one-half of one percent. 58 Atty. Gen. 212.

77.70 Annotation A county board may not control municipal use of county sales tax revenue. 60 Atty. Gen. 387.

77.70 Annotation Funds received from a county sales and use tax under this section [now sub. (1)] may be budgeted by the county board to reduce the amount of the county-wide property tax levy or to defray the cost of any item that can be funded by a county-wide property tax. OAG 1-98.

77.701 77.701 Adoption by municipal ordinance.

77.701(1) (1) A 1st class city may adopt an ordinance, by a two-thirds majority vote of all members elect of the common council, to impose a sales and use tax under this subchapter at the rate of 2.0 percent of the sales price or purchase price. An ordinance adopted under this section shall be effective on January 1, April 1, July 1, or October 1, and the taxes shall be imposed only in their entirety as provided in this subchapter. A certified copy of the ordinance shall be delivered to the secretary of revenue at least 120 days prior to its effective date. No 1st class city may impose a tax under this section unless the city makes an election to join the Wisconsin Retirement System for all new employees, pursuant to s. 40.21 (7) (a), and the city contributes the amount calculated under s. 62.625 to its retirement system’s unfunded actuarial accrued liability in 2025 and in each year thereafter until the first year in which the retirement system is determined by the retirement system’s actuary to be fully funded. In addition, if the 1st class city has enacted an ordinance regarding the city’s retirement system that requires an actuary to periodically reset the actuarial contribution rate, the 1st class city may not impose a tax under this section unless the city repeals the ordinance and subsequently follows standard actuarial practices to determine contribution rates. After the retirement system is first fully funded, or until 30 years have elapsed since the effective date of the tax, whichever is earlier, the actuary shall determine all future required contributions from the city on the basis of standard actuarial practices, and the city shall repeal the ordinance imposing the tax. A certified copy of that ordinance shall be delivered to the secretary of revenue at least 120 days prior to its effective date. The repeal of any such ordinance shall be effective on December 31. A certified copy of a repeal ordinance shall be delivered to the secretary of revenue at least 120 days before the effective date of the repeal. Except as provided under s. 77.60 (9), the department of revenue may not issue any assessment or act on any claim for a refund or any claim for an adjustment under s. 77.585 after the end of the calendar year that is 4 years after the year in which the city has enacted a repeal ordinance under this section.

77.701(2) (2) 

77.701(2)(a) (a) Annually, the city shall use no more than 90 percent of the amount of revenue generated under this section in the first full calendar year in which the tax is imposed to offset the actual costs of the required payment under sub. (1) and to offset the increase in participating city agency employer contribution costs from 2022 to the current year for the retirement system established under chapter 396, laws of 1937. For purposes of this paragraph, “city agency” means any board, commission, division, department, office, or agency of the city government, including its sewerage district created under s. 200.23, school board, auditorium board, fire and police departments, annuity and pension board, board of vocational and adult education, Wisconsin Center District, housing authority, Veolia Milwaukee with respect to employees who are participants in the retirement system of Milwaukee on June 22, 2023, and public school teachers’ annuity and retirement fund, by which an employee of the city or city agency is paid.

77.701(2)(b) (b) The city shall use an amount equal to the revenue derived from 10 percent of the amount of revenue generated under this section in the first full calendar year in which the tax is imposed to maintain a level of law enforcement and fire protective and emergency medical service that is equivalent to that provided in the 1st class city on April 1, 2023.

77.701(2)(c) (c) In any year in which the amount of the taxes collected under this section exceeds the amount of the taxes collected in the first full calendar year and the amounts necessary to make the payments under pars. (a) and (b), the city shall use the excess revenue to implement the requirements under s. 62.90 (5) (b) and the ongoing costs of the increased number of law enforcement officers and daily staffing level of the members of the paid fire department.

77.701(3) (3) Annually, beginning in 2026, the city shall submit a report to the joint committee on finance, in the manner provided under s. 13.172 (2), containing detailed information on the city’s expenditures in the previous year from the revenues collected under this section, including expenditures and staffing levels related to law enforcement, fire protection, and other public safety measures.

77.701 History History: 2023 a. 12.

77.706 77.706 Adoption by resolution; football stadium district. A local professional football stadium district created under subch. IV of ch. 229, by resolution under s. 229.824 (15), may impose a sales tax and a use tax under this subchapter at a rate of 0.5 percent of the sales price or purchase price. Those taxes may be imposed only in their entirety. The imposition of the taxes under this section shall be effective on the first January 1, April 1, July 1, or October 1 that begins at least 120 days after the certification of the approval of the resolution by the electors in the district’s jurisdiction under s. 229.824 (15).

77.706 History History: 1999 a. 167; 2005 a. 25; 2009 a. 2; 2023 a. 19.

77.707 77.707 Sunset. Retailers and the department of revenue may not collect a tax under s. 77.706 for any local professional football stadium district created under subch. IV of ch. 229 after the last day of the calendar quarter that is at least 120 days from the date on which the local professional football stadium district board makes all of the certifications to the department of revenue under s. 229.825 (3), except that the department of revenue may collect from retailers taxes that accrued before the day after the last day of that calendar quarter and fees, interest and penalties that relate to those taxes.

77.707 History History: 1995 a. 56; 1999 a. 167; 2009 a. 2; 2019 a. 28; 2023 a. 40.