Can I use Wisconsin e-file?

  1. Am I eligible to use Wisconsin e-file?
  2. What Wisconsin individual income tax returns does Wisconsin e-file support?
  3. Can I file a Form 2 Wisconsin Fiduciary Return for Estates and Trusts) or a Schedule CC (Request for a Closing Certificate)?
  4. What do I need before I begin to use Wisconsin e-file?
  5. Can I file my tax return jointly with my deceased spouse?
  1. Am I eligible to use Wisconsin e-file?
    Almost any full-year Wisconsin resident may be able to use Wisconsin e-file to file their 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2012 Wisconsin income tax returns. You can use Wisconsin e-file UNLESS you meet any one of the following:

    • You are filing:
      • Schedule 2440W - Disability Income Exclusion
      • Schedule BC - Biodiesel Fuel Production Credit
      • Schedule CG - Income Tax Deferral of Long-Term Capital Gain
      • Schedule CM - Community Rehabilitation Program Credit
      • Schedule CR – Other Credits
      • Schedule DC – Development Zone Credit
      • Schedule DI – Dairy Investment Credit
      • Schedule DM – Dairy Manufacturing Facility Investment Credits
      • Schedule EB – Ethanol and Biodiesel Fuel Pump Credit
      • Schedule EC – Enterprise Zone Jobs Credit
      • Schedule ED – Economic Development Tax Credit
      • Schedule EDS - Economic Development Surcharge
      • Schedule EM - Electronic Medical Records Credit
      • Schedule FL - Beginning Farmer and Farm Asset Owner Credit
      • Schedule FP – Film Production Credits
      • Schedule FW – Food Processing Plant and Food Warehouse Investment Credit
      • Schedule HR – Historic Rehabilitation Credit
      • Schedule IE – Internet Equipment Credit
      • Schedule JT – Wisconsin Jobs Tax Credit
      • Schedule MI – Manufacturing Investment Credit
      • Schedule MP – Meat Processing Facility Investment Credit
      • Schedule MS – Manufacturer's Sales Tax Credit
      • Schedule MT – Alternative Minimum Tax
      • Schedule PE – Postsecondary Education Credit
      • Schedule RB– Relocated Business Credit or Deduction
      • Schedule RT – Related Entity Expenses
      • Schedule T – Transitional Adjustments
      • Schedule TC – Technology Zone Credit
      • Schedule VC – Venture Capital Credits
      • Schedule VE - Veteran Employment Credit
      • Schedule WB – Woody Biomass Harvesting and Processing Credit
      • Schedule WC – Water Consumption Credit
    • You are claiming credit for health insurance risk-sharing
    • You are filing Schedule H with:
      • More than:
        • 4 rent certificates
        • 4 separate rental amounts/months/days on the rent certificates lines 11a/11b
        • 6 tax bills
      • Tax bills for adjoining property where owner name and type are different than on the home tax bill
    • You have more than 9 of any one of these forms: W-2, W-2G, 1099R, 1099-MISC
    • You have Wisconsin state income tax withholding listed on a Schedule K-1 from a pass-through entity
    • You are filing Schedule FC-A with:
      • More than 10 farms
    • You have a taxable year ending other than December 31st
    • You have more than 19 exemptions
    • You do not have a social security number or taxpayer identification number
  2. What Wisconsin individual income tax returns does Wisconsin e-file support?
    • 2012, 2011, and 2010 tax years, you may file: Forms WI-Z, 1A, 1, 1NPR, 1X or Schedule H (with or without a Form 1A or 1)
    • 2009 tax year, you may file: Forms WI-Z, 1A, 1, 1X or Schedule H (with or without a Form 1A or 1)
    • 2008 tax year, you may file: Forms WI-Z, 1A, 1 or Schedule H (with a Form 1A or 1)
  3. Can I file a Form 2 (Wisconsin Fiduciary Return for Estates and Trusts) or a Schedule CC (Request for a Closing Certificate)?

    Yes, this was new for the 2011 tax year. You can electronically file a Form 2 or a Schedule CC using the Wisconsin e-file application.

  4. What do I need before I begin to use Wisconsin e-file?

    You will need the following:

    • Your completed federal income tax return (especially if you are filing a Form 1 or Form 1NPR); and
    • All of your W-2, W-2G, and 1099 forms;
    • Your previously filed tax return, if you are filing a Form 1X (amended return) or amended 1NPR;
    • Your checking or savings account number and your bank routing number if you choose to direct deposit your refund or to pay your amount owed by direct debit/withdrawal;
    • Your credit card information for payment of an amount owed. Accepted credit cards include American Express, Discover, MasterCard and VISA; plus

    When you have successfully submitted your income tax return, before you close the application, you should either:

    • Save a copy in a portable document format (PDF) or other storage device (CD, flash drive, etc.) by clicking "File" and "Save As", and/or
    • Print a copy for your records

    If you do not save or print a copy of your tax return after you have filed, there will be a processing fee charged to obtain a copy at a later time.

  5. Can I file my tax return jointly with my deceased spouse?

    Yes, you can file a joint return if your spouse:

    • died during the tax year and you did not remarry in that tax year, or
    • died in the current year before filing a tax return for the prior year

    You should fill in your spouse's name and social security number in the appropriate boxes on the return. Also, if:

    • it's the husband who is deceased, fill in '06' in the Special Conditions box and fill in the date of death
    • it's the wife who is deceased, fill in '07' in the Special Conditions box and fill in the date of death

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE
Electronic Filing Unit
Mail Stop 5-77
P.O. Box 8949
Madison, WI 53708-8949
Phone: (608) 264-6886
Fax: (608) 267-1030
Email Additional Questions

Last updated December 13, 2012