1. ​Can I use WisTax to file my individual income tax return?


2. Can I use WisTax to file my homestead credit claim?


3. What years are available to file using WisTax?


4. How do I upload my attachments?


5. Why did the department retire WI e-file?


6. I do not qualify to use WisTax. Are there other free electronic filing options available to me?


7. Can I save a draft of my return? If yes, how do I access it after I save?


8. I filed with IRS Direct File and am beginning my Wisconsin return in WisTax, but I see an error message that my federal return has not been accepted yet. Do I have to wait until my federal return is accepted before I file my Wisconsin return?


9. If I do not yet have a My Tax Account profile, should I sign up for one before I begin filing with IRS Direct File?


10. Can I amend my return in WisTax?


11. How do I know if my return was submitted successfully?


12. I need general My Tax Account assistance (forgot my password/username, need help with mail settings, etc.)

1. Can I use WisTax to file my individual income tax return?

   WisTax is available for taxpayers who:

   1. Use IRS Direct File to file their federal return and meet the following requirements:
      • File a full-year resident return (Form 1)
      • Earn all of their income in Wisconsin (or a reciprocal state, provided the out-of-state income is reportable only to Wisconsin)
      • Are not claiming any of the following:
        • Credits on Schedule CR
        • Farmland Preservation Credits
        • Repayment Credit
        • Homestead credit (note: this may still be filed as a separate claim – see homestead credit information below)

   OR

   2. Have already completed their federal Form 1040 or 1040-SR, saved a copy in electronic format, and meet the following requirements:
      • Have a recent Wisconsin tax filing history
      • File a full-year resident return (Form 1)
      • Have a valid Wisconsin driver license or Wisconsin ID card
      • Not claiming any of the following credits on Form 1:
        • Credits on Schedule CR
        • Credit for tax paid to other states
        • Farmland preservation credit
        • Repayment Credit
        • Homestead credit (note: this may still be filed as a separate claim – see homestead credit information below)
      • If filing additional schedules with Form 1, only the following schedules are allowed:
        • Schedule 1
        • Schedule 2
        • Schedule 3
        • Schedule I
        • Schedule AD
        • Schedule SB
        • Schedule CS
        • Schedule PS
        • Schedule WD
      • Not reporting income from a tax-option (S) corporation, partnership, limited liability company, trust, or estate
      
      
2. Can I use WisTax to file my homestead credit claim?

   WisTax is available for homestead credit claimants who meet the following requirements:

   • Have a recent Wisconsin tax or homestead credit filing history
   • Have a valid Wisconsin driver license or Wisconsin ID card
   • Not living in a nursing home
   • No more than four rent certificates and six property tax bills
   • No divorce during the claim year
   • If filing a Wisconsin individual income tax return, must file that first, and must be filing Form 1
   • Only used home for personal or farm use during the claim year (no business use)
   • No Wisconsin Works or county relief payments during claim year (Schedule 3)
   • No disqualified losses during claim year (Schedule 4)
   • No income to report on lines 11a – 11j of Schedule H
     
     

   Review the Claiming Homestead Credit common questions page or Schedule H instructions for additional homestead credit information and qualifications.

3. What years are available to file using WisTax?

   Income tax (Form 1) is available for 2023 and 2024.

   Homestead credit (Schedule H) is available for 2022, 2023 and 2024.

4. How do I upload my attachments?

   WisTax allows no more than six attachments per wage statement type.

   Prepare your documents by scanning or taking a picture of each document. Documents must be in one of the following file formats: .BMP, .JPG, .PDF, .PNG or .TIF, they cannot exceed 30 MB, and they cannot be password protected.

   Scan your documents using a copy or fax machine: Create an electronic version of a requested document by scanning the document into your computer using the scanner and software of your choice.

   Take a picture with a mobile device: Most cell phones allow for taking and saving a picture. Below are instructions for scanning documents using a mobile device.

   If you cannot attach all required documents when you file, send them to us via W-RA file transfer within 48 hours of filing your tax return or homestead claim.

   Apple Devices

    

   Android Devices

    

5. Why did the department retire WI e-file?

   WI e-file became increasingly difficult for customers to use and for the department to support in recent years. It was an Adobe-based product that functioned best in Internet Explorer (IE). As IE is no longer a supported browser, the workaround to open our forms in Adobe was cumbersome, and customers reported difficulty with obtaining a free version of Adobe that would support our forms.

6. I do not qualify to use WisTax. Are there other free electronic filing options available to me?

   IRS Free File may be an option for you. For more information about Wisconsin's participation in this program and a list of software vendors with a Free File product supporting Wisconsin returns, visit DOR's page about IRS Free File.

7. Can I save a draft of my return? If yes, how do I access it after I save?

   Yes. Use the "Save Draft" button at the bottom of the screen to save your draft. It will be saved for 60 days. The method to access your draft varies depending on which version of our WisTax forms you are using (registered or unregistered). Registered means you have a My Tax Account (MTA) username and password; unregistered means you do not have an MTA username and password. All returns filed as part of the IRS Direct File program use our registered forms.

   If filing with the registered WisTax Form 1, including with IRS Direct File, access your draft by logging into My Tax Account and selecting the "Resume filing" link in the individual income tax panel on your homepage, then select "Continue Editing" at the top of the screen. If you do not see a "Resume filing" link:

   • Select the "View Periods" link in the individual income tax panel, then the "File Return" link next to the appropriate period
   • Select "Continue Editing" at the top of the screen
     
     

   If filing with unregistered WisTax forms, you will receive an email with a new confirmation code every time you save your draft.

   To continue your draft in unregistered WisTax:

   • Select the appropriate link from the WisTax page (Form 1 or Schedule H)
   • Select the "Find Saved Request" button from the bottom of the screen
   • Enter your email address and confirmation code and submit
   • Select the "Continue Editing" link at the top of the screen
     
     
8. I filed with IRS Direct File and am beginning my Wisconsin return in WisTax, but I see an error message that my federal return has not been accepted yet. Do I have to wait until my federal return is accepted before I file my Wisconsin return?

   We recommend you wait until your federal return is accepted before you begin your Wisconsin return. If you choose to file your Wisconsin return before the federal is accepted, and your federal return gets rejected for a reason that affects your Wisconsin return, you will need to amend your Wisconsin return. You cannot amend via WisTax so will need to amend with a tax professional, via third-party software, or on paper.

9. If I do not yet have a My Tax Account profile, should I sign up for one before I begin filing with IRS Direct File?

   No. We have a simplified My Tax Account registration process for IRS Direct File users who file with WisTax. You should complete your federal return with IRS Direct File before beginning your simplified My Tax Account registration.

10. Can I amend my return in WisTax?

    No. You must file amended Wisconsin returns with a tax professional, via third-party software, or on paper.

11. How do I know if my return was submitted successfully?

    You will see a confirmation number after you submit. You will not receive an emailed copy of your return, so if you do not have a My Tax Account profile, be sure to save a copy of the return summary to your device and/or print a copy before you close the confirmation page.

    If you are expecting a refund, check the status using Where's My Refund.

12. I need general My Tax Account assistance (forgot my password/username, need help with mail settings, etc.)

    Review the My Tax Account for Personal Users common questions page.

Applicable Laws and Rules

This document provides statements or interpretations of the following laws and regulations enacted as of January 17, 2025: secs. 71.01, 71.03, 71.738, and 71.80, Wis. Stats., and secs. Tax 2.04 and 2.10, Wis. Adm. Code.

Laws enacted and in effect after this date, new administrative rules, and court decisions may change the interpretations in this document. Guidance issued prior to this date, that is contrary to the information in this document is superseded by this document, according to sec. 73.16(2)(a), Wis. Stats.