Wisconsin County and Municipalities Financial Report

​​Sec. 86.303(5)(c), Wis. Stats.

  1. Who is required to file a Financial Report?

  2. When is the filing deadline for MFR?

  3. How are municipalities and counties notified that the MFR form is available for filing?

  4. What documents are required to complete this report?

  5. Will I be charged a penalty if I file this report late?

  6. Can I amend the e-filed report?

  7. Why are some values on the MFR auto-filled; can I change these values?

  8. I'm having trouble with the Tax Roll Reconciliation page (Section B). What should I do?

  9. My report does not balance. What should I do?

  10. What enhancements to the MFR were introduced in 2020?

  11. How do I file the U.S. Census Bureau Annual Financial Report (Form F-65)?
  1. ​ Who is required to file a Financial Report?

    Each Wisconsin county and municipality is required to electronically file (e-file) a Financial Report with the Wisconsin Department of Revenue (DOR) showing prior year revenues and expenditures.

    E-file forms – located in My DOR Government Account

    • Form A - counties
    • Form C - cities, villages and towns (with proprietary funds)
    • Form CT - towns (with no proprietary funds)

    For more information, review:



  2. When is the filing deadline for MFR?

    Municipalities and counties with a population:

    • 2,500 or less – March 31
    • Over 2,500 – May 1
    • Extended due date for all municipalities and counties – May 15 (no request required)

    Municipalities and counties with a population over 25,000:

    • July 31​ – must also submit an auditor's opinion (Administrative Rule Tax 16.05) with a final version of the Financial Report
    • To submit the auditor's opinion (Administrative Rule Tax 16), you must e-file an amended financial report and attach the auditor's opinion
    • Auditor's opinion must indicate whether the information submitted is a clear representation of the municipality's or county's audited financial statements


  3. How are municipalities and counties notified that the MFR form is available for filing?

    By early February, DOR notifies each county and municipality by email that the Municipal Financial Report Forms are available in My DOR Government Account (MyDORGov). The email includes the following information:

    • Filing instructions
    • State Payment Register – record of payments that Wisconsin state agencies made to Wisconsin municipalities and counties
    • U.S. Census Bureau Form F-65 – is available on our MFR web page


  4. What documents are required to complete this report?

    • Statement of Taxes (SOT)
    • Tax District Treasurer's Settlement (Municipal Treasurer's Settlement)
    • State Payment Register
    • Your annual financial report
    • Prior year fillings are located in MyDORGov under historical filings


  5. Will I be charged a penalty if I file this report late?

    Yes. If you do not file this report by May 15, state law (sec. 86.303(5)) requires a late filing penalty that reduces your General Transportation Aid payments from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (DOT). This penalty is calculated and imposed by the DOT.

    If DOR does not receive your report, we may request that a Certified Public Accountant compile the report from your municipal or county records. Your municipality or county is billed directly for this cost.


  6. Can I amend the e-filed report?

    Yes. You can file an amended report in My DOR Government Account. You may be required to provide additional information/documentation to support your amended return.


  7. Why are some values on the MFR auto-filled; can I change these values?

    Some auto-filled line values are transferred from other sources, other lines in the MFR form, or are carryover from the prior year. This makes it easier to complete the form, compare prior year data with the current year, and quickly identify large variances and possible errors.

    Sources of auto-filled lines:

    • DOR VAULT System
    • Municipal Treasurer's Settlement (MTS)
    • Statement of Taxes (SOT)
    • State Payment Register
    • Other lines in the current and prior MFR form

    Auto-filled values can be changed, and if changed, a warning appears requiring an explanation or additional documentation to support the change.


  8. I'm having trouble with the Tax Roll Reconciliation page (Section B). What should I do?

    Review the Tax Roll Reconciliation Cash Basis Accounting instructions within the detailed form instructions.

    In the e-file form:

    • On the "Accounting Basis" section, make sure you selected "Cash Basis Accounting"
    • Review your entries for errors
    • Check beginning and ending balances of all accounts


  9. My report does not balance. What should I do?

    • Review all warning and errors; a list is provided on the last page of the form
    • All warnings require an explanation/documentation
    • All errors must be corrected before submitting the form
    • Check beginning and ending balances of all accounts
    • Make sure all amounts from your accounts were correctly transferred to the form


  10. What enhancements to the MFR were introduced in 2020?

    • Audit validation rules for most lines
    • Audit warnings showing lines that may need attention or additional documentation
    • Audit flags showing lines that need correcting before submitting the form
    • Quick and easy amended filing with the filing application
    • PDF copy of your form now matches the filing application format


  11. How do I file the U.S. Census Bureau Annual Financial Report (Form F-65)?

    The U.S. Census Bureau is requesting that each municipality and county complete Form F-65 and submit it directly to the Census Bureau through the new State Data Collection system. The Census Bureau will send you an email and letter with login information and instructions the following week.

    Local governments can access the form at SDC Home Page (census.gov).


Questions?

Contact us at lgs@wisconsin.gov.​

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