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Wisconsin Department of Revenue

Electronic Filing

Advanced Information

  1. How do I electronically file my income tax return?
  2. How do I get help?
  3. How do I know the Department of Revenue received my electronically filed return?
  4. If I do not receive an acknowledgment within three days of transmitting my return, how do I find out what happened to my return?
  5. If I realize that I made a mistake after I transmit my electronic return, what do I do?
  6. I did not receive a Form 1099-G or misplaced it, but I did receive a refund. What is the Payer's name, address and ID number?
  7. If my spouse died in 2009, can I file electronically?
  1. How do I electronically file my income tax return?

    Wisconsin promotes several types of e-filing for individual income taxes. They are professionally prepared electronic returns, online filing, and Wisconsin e-file.

    • Professionally prepared electronic returns involve a tax professional. The tax professional collects your income tax information, prepares your tax return, and transmits the return to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Wisconsin Department of Revenue. See Electronic Filing Through a Tax Professional for more information.

    • If you have access to a computer with a modem or an Internet connection, online filing can be done in one of two ways.

      • You can purchase off-the-shelf tax preparation software that includes an option for electronic filing.
      • You can go to the web site of a software company that transmits tax returns. The software prepares your tax return for you and performs the mathematical calculations as you supply the answers to simple interview questions. When you have completed the interview process, you will be prompted to submit your return. If you choose to do so, you will be asked for payment at that time. Some off-the-shelf software now includes the price of transmitting tax returns electronically. Note: Not all software supports Wisconsin e-filing. See the information concerning web-based filing and off-the-shelf or downloaded software.


    • To file electronically using Wisconsin e-file

  2. How do I get help?

    To get help with your software program, review the instructions, access the help menu, or call the software developer. For help preparing your taxes, call the Wisconsin Department of Revenue taxpayer assistance number (608) 266-2772 or e-mail us at income@revenue.wi.gov. For specific help with electronic filing, call (608) 264-6886 or e-mail us at efiling@revenue.wi.gov. For more information, review the options on the Wisconsin Department of Revenue web site.

  3. How do I know the Department of Revenue received my electronically filed return?

    Within 24 hours of transmission, you or your tax preparer will receive an IRS acknowledgment of receipt of your return. You or your tax preparer will receive the state acknowledgment within 72 hours of the original transmission. The state and federal revenue agencies issue acknowledgments in the form of electronic messages. Acknowledgments are transmitted to the software company and they are made available either to you, if filing online, or to your tax preparer. Wisconsin e-filers will receive a confirmation number at the end of their filing process.

  4. If I do not receive an acknowledgment within three days of transmitting my return, how do I find out what happened to my return?

    First, make sure your software supports Wisconsin filing. If your software package or the online web site you've chosen does support Wisconsin filing, call the software company or inquire online. If you are working with a tax preparer, call your preparer. You may also call the Electronic Filing Office at the Wisconsin Department of Revenue. The E-Filing Help Line is (608) 264-6886.

  5. If I realize that I made a mistake after I transmit my electronic return, what do I do?

    The only way to correct an electronic return once it has been transmitted is to file a Wisconsin Amended Tax Return, Form 1X. Amended returns can be filed electronically through Wisconsin e-file. Otherwise, the Form 1X is available on our Individual Income Tax Forms page.

  6. I did not receive a Form 1099-G or misplaced it, but I did receive a refund. What is the Payer's name, address and ID number?

    The payer's name is the Wisconsin Department of Revenue. The federal identification number is 39-6006491. The mailing address is Wisconsin Department of Revenue, Mail Stop 5-77, PO Box 8949, Madison, WI 53708-8949.

  7. If my spouse died in 2009, can I file electronically?

    Yes, you can. If you are filing as surviving spouse, you have to use the in care of line. If you are not filing as surviving spouse, you need to fill in Form 1310. If you are having problems filing as surviving spouse, check with your software developer.

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE
Customer Service Bureau
P.O. Box 8949
Madison, WI 53708-8949
Income Phone: (608) 264-6886
Fax: (608) 264-6884
E-Mail Additional Questions

Last updated January 25, 2010