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What is a "pass-through entity"?
A "pass-through entity" is a partnership, a limited liability company, a tax-option (S) corporation, an estate, or a trust that is treated as a pass-through entity for federal income tax purposes.
In general, a pass-through entity is an organization whose income, loss, deductions and credits flow through and are taxed at the shareholder, partner, member, or beneficiary level.
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Who is required to withhold?
Any pass-through entity that has Wisconsin income for a taxable year that is allocable to a nonresident partner, member, shareholder, or beneficiary must withhold Wisconsin tax on that income to the extent it is Wisconsin income to the nonresident. The withholding applies regardless of whether the income is actually distributed by the pass-through entity.
However, the following entities are
not required to withhold provided they do not report any amount of withholding to any of their partners, members, shareholders, or beneficiaries on Schedule 5K-1, 3K-1, or 2K-1:
- A tax-option (S) corporation or limited liability company treated as a tax-option (S) corporation that made an election to be taxed at the entity level under sec. 71.365(4m)(a), Wis. Stats.
- A partnership or limited liability company treated as a partnership that made an election to be taxed at the entity level under sec. 71.21(6)(a), Wis. Stats.
- A pass-through entity for which all nonresident owners or beneficiaries are exempt from withholding because each nonresident is exempt from income and franchise taxation or has less than $2,000 of income allocable from the entity. For taxable years beginning before January 1, 2024, the income threshold was $1,000.
Exception: If the pass-through entity received withholding from a lower-tier entity, it is required to file Form PW-1.
- An entity that is disregarded for federal income tax purposes.
- A grantor trust that is not required to file a federal income tax return.
- A publicly traded partnership as defined under section 7704(b) of the Internal Revenue Code, provided the partnership files a Wisconsin Schedule 3K-1 for each partner.
- A joint venture that has elected not to be treated as a partnership under section 761 of the Internal Revenue Code.
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Who is a "nonresident"?
A "nonresident" includes:
- An individual who is not domiciled in Wisconsin.
- A partnership, limited liability company or corporation whose commercial domicile is outside Wisconsin.
- An estate or trust that is a nonresident under
sec. 71.14(1) to (3m), Wis. Stats.
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How do I file and pay the withholding?
According to sec.
Tax 1.12(4)(a)13, Wis. Adm. Code, pass-through entities are required to make their payments electronically. See the department's
Make a Payment web page. Also see "Am I required to make estimated payments?" below.
In addition to the quarterly estimated payments, a pass-through entity is required to file
Form PW-1,
Wisconsin Nonresident Income or Franchise Tax Withholding on Pass-Through Entity Income, on an annual basis and pay any additional withholding tax due.
Form PW-1 is due on the unextended due date of the pass-through entity's Wisconsin income or franchise tax return. For tax-option (S) corporations, partnerships, and limited liability companies treated as a tax-option (S) corporation or a partnership, the filing deadline for the Form PW-1 is the
15th day of the 3rd month following the close of the entity's taxable year. For trusts and estates, the filing deadline for the PW-1 is the
15th day of the 4th month following the close of the entity's taxable year. Wisconsin statutes provide for an automatic 7-month extension to file the Form PW-1. If tax is due, interest will be assessed on the tax due during the extension period.
The department requires Form PW-1 to be filed electronically. Two electronic filing methods are available, including a free program offered by the department. To file your Form PW-1 electronically, go to the department's
Pass-Through Entity Withholding page.
If electronic filing or payment presents an undue hardship, the pass-through entity may request a
waiver from the department to file or pay by non-electronic means.
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What exemptions apply?
Certain types of entities are not required to withhold, as described in "Who is required to withhold?" above. Further, a nonresident is not subject to withholding if any of the following exemptions apply:
- The nonresident's share of Wisconsin income from the pass-through entity is less than $2,000. For taxable years beginning before January 1, 2024, the income threshold was $1,000.
- The nonresident files a timely affidavit with the department using Wisconsin
Form PW-2, Wisconsin Nonresident Partner, Member, Shareholder, or Beneficiary Pass-Through Withholding Exemption Affidavit and the affidavit is approved by the department. The pass-through entity must maintain a department-approved copy of the nonresident's Form PW-2 in its records to substantiate the exemption.
- The nonresident receives a continuous PW-2 exemption letter from the department. Withholding is not required if the owner receives a continuous exemption letter from the department. Upon receiving an approved continuous exemption letter, the nonresident owner provides a copy to the pass-through entity and the pass-through entity is relieved of withholding on behalf of the owner.
- The nonresident is exempt from Wisconsin income and franchise taxation. The pass-through entity may rely on a written statement from the member claiming to be exempt from taxation, if the pass-through entity includes a copy of the statement with its income or franchise tax return for the taxable year. The statement must specify the nonresident's name, address, federal employer identification number, and reason for claiming an exemption.
- The pass-through entity has elected under sec. 71.21(6)(a) or 71.365(4m)(a), Wis. Stats., to be taxed at the entity level.
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How does a nonresident file an exemption affidavit?
To file the affidavit, the nonresident partner, member, shareholder, or beneficiary must use Wisconsin
Form PW-2.
Form PW-2 must be filed electronically through
My Tax Account, unless a
waiver is obtained from the department.
If a waiver is approved, submit Form PW-2 to the department by fax or mail. If you will be using a fax, use the fax cover sheet on the last page of the Form PW-2 instructions. If you will be mailing Form PW-2, mail to:
Wisconsin Department of Revenue
PO Box 8906
Madison, WI 53708-8906
Note: For each taxable year of the nonresident, a separate Form PW-2 is required.
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What is the due date for filing an exemption affidavit (Form PW-2)?
Form PW-2 must be completed and filed with the department on or before the filing deadline to be valid. The filing deadline depends on the type of pass-through entity for which the nonresident is claiming the exemption:
- For tax-option (S) corporations, partnerships, and limited liability companies (LLCs) taxed as a tax-option (S) Corporation or partnership, the nonresident must file Form PW-2 with the department by the last day of the first month following the close of the entity's taxable year. For example, for a shareholder of a calendar year S corporation, Form PW-2 for the 2024 taxable year is due
January 31, 2025*.
- For estates and trusts, the nonresident must file Form PW-2 with the department by the last day of the second month following the close of the entity's taxable year. For example, for a beneficiary of a calendar year estate, Form PW-2 for the 2024 taxable year is due
February 28, 2025*.
*If the due date falls on a weekend or holiday, the due date becomes the business day immediately following the weekend or holiday.
The department will mail an approval or denial letter to the nonresident within approximately 30 days of the date the Form PW-2 is received. If approved, the nonresident must present the letter to the pass-through entity for which the exemption was requested. The pass-through entity must keep a copy in its records to substantiate the exemption.
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What is a continuous exemption and how do I apply for one?
On a case-by-case basis, the department may issue a "continuous" exemption, which relieves a nonresident of the requirement to file Form PW-2 in future years.
A nonresident may not apply for a "continuous" exemption. However, continuous exemptions will be issued using similar criteria to that used to approve Form PW-2. The continuous exemption will be reviewed annually to ensure the nonresident is paying estimated tax and filing returns as required. Noncompliance by the nonresident will result in revocation of the continuous exemption.
This process will benefit both nonresidents and pass-through entities by reducing annual recordkeeping and filing requirements.
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If exemptions apply, do I still have to file Form PW-1?
You do not have to file Form PW-1 for a taxable year if you are not required to withhold for any members of the pass-through entity on Form PW-1. However, if a nonresident claims exemption by filing Form PW-2, the pass-through entity is still required to report that nonresident on Form PW-1 and check the box indicating that the nonresident filed the affidavit.
Additionally, if a nonresident will be included in a composite Wisconsin income tax return (Form 1CNS or 1CNP), the pass-through entity must still report that nonresident on Form PW-1 and pay the withholding accordingly. (See "What about composite income tax returns?" below for more details).
A nonresident partner, member, shareholder, or beneficiary is not required to be reported on Form PW-1 if either of the following apply:
- The nonresident is exempt from Wisconsin income and franchise taxation.
- The nonresident's share of pass-through income attributable to Wisconsin is less than $2,000. For taxable years beginning before January 1, 2024, the income threshold was $1,000.
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Am I required to make estimated payments?
A pass-through entity is required to make quarterly estimated payments of pass-through entity withholding.
The quarterly payments of withholding tax are due on or before the
15th day of the 3rd, 6th, 9th, and 12th month of the entity's taxable year. If the due date falls on a weekend or holiday, the due date becomes the business day immediately following the weekend or holiday.
Pass-through entities are required to make their payments electronically. See the department's
Make a Payment web page. If electronic payment presents an undue hardship, a pass-through entity may request a
waiver from the department to pay by other means. If the waiver is granted, taxpayers must use
Form PW-ES to make the quarterly estimated withholding tax payments. Do not use Form PW-1 as a substitute for Form PW-ES. In general, the required installment is calculated as follows:
If the pass-through entity filed a return for the preceding taxable year and that taxable year was not less than 12 months, the required installment is 25% of the lesser of the following amounts:
- 90% of the withholding tax that is due for the taxable year.
- The withholding tax due for the preceding taxable year.
If the pass-through entity's preceding taxable year was less than 12 months or if the pass-through entity did not file a required return for the preceding taxable year, the required installment is 25% of 90% of the withholding tax that is due for the taxable year. Section
71.775(4)(h), Wis. Stats., also authorizes the use of an annualization method, if applicable.
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How do I make payments electronically?
See the department's
Make a Payment web page.
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What about composite income tax returns?
If a nonresident will be included in a composite Wisconsin income tax return (Form 1CNS or 1CNP), the pass-through entity must report that nonresident on Form PW-1, pay any additional withholding due, and file Form 1CNS or 1CNP. Filing a composite income tax return does not relieve the entity from making estimated pass-through withholding payments and filing Form PW-1. In general, a Form 1CNS or 1CNP should not be filed without Form PW-1. There are limited exceptions if none of the nonresident shareholders have $2,000 or more of income attributable to Wisconsin.
The pass-through entity pays the withholding with Form PW-1, as described in "How do I file and pay the withholding?" above, which is due on the unextended due date of the pass-through entity's Wisconsin income or franchise tax return.
Quarterly estimated payments of pass-through entity withholding may be required as described in "Am I required to make estimated payments?" above.
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Does the nonresident still have to file a Wisconsin return?
Pass-through entity withholding does not relieve nonresidents from their requirement to file a Wisconsin individual income tax return. For nonresidents who elect to be included in a composite Wisconsin income tax return, the pass-through entity must report such nonresidents on both Form PW-1 and the composite income tax return (Form 1CNS or 1CNP).
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Does the 30% long-term capital gain exclusion apply?
The 30% long-term capital gain exclusion (60% for sale of farm assets) provided under Wisconsin law may be used to reduce the amount of pass-through capital gain income allocable to nonresidents who are individuals. This exclusion may also be used to determine if the nonresident has less than $2,000 of income from the pass-through entity. For taxable years beginning before January 1, 2024, the income threshold was $1,000.
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Can prior year losses be used to offset the amount subject to withholding?
No. Only the pass-through income and losses of the current year may be used to compute the pass-through income subject to withholding. However, the nonresident may elect out of withholding by filing an exemption affidavit (Form PW-2).
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What happens when a pass-through entity is in a "tiered" structure, where it owns another pass-through entity?
If a pass-through entity (called an "upper-tier entity") owns another pass-through entity (called a "lower-tier" entity), the lower-tier entity is required to withhold on the Wisconsin income allocable to the upper-tier entity. The upper-tier entity may then take credit for tax already withheld by the lower-tier entity when it withholds on behalf of its own nonresident members.
Alternatively, the upper-tier entity may file an exemption affidavit (Form PW-2) to elect out of withholding from the lower-tier entity. In this case, the upper-tier entity would pay the withholding on its total Wisconsin income allocable to its nonresident members even if that income is from the lower-tier entity.
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What penalties and interest apply for failure to follow these requirements?
The pass-through entity may be liable for a penalty if it does not withhold on the Wisconsin income allocable to a nonresident, does not obtain Form PW-2 from the nonresident, and no other exemption applies. The penalty for failure to withhold is 5% of the amount of tax required to be withheld if the failure is for not more than one month, with an additional 5% for each additional month or fraction thereof during which the failure continues, not to exceed 25% of the amount of tax required to be withheld. This penalty may apply even if the nonresident files a Wisconsin income or franchise tax return reporting the income allocable from the pass-through entity.
For quarterly estimated withholding tax payments for a pass-through entity:
In the case of any underpayment of quarterly estimated withholding taxes, interest shall be added to the aggregate withholding tax for the taxable year at the rate of 12% per year on the amount of the underpayment for the period of the underpayment. "Period of the underpayment" means the time period beginning with the due date of the installment and ending on either the unextended due date of the return or the date of payment, whichever is earlier. If 90% of the tax due for the taxable year is not paid by the unextended due date of the return, the difference between that amount and the estimated taxes paid, along with any interest due, shall accrue delinquent interest in the same manner as income and franchise taxes.
However, no interest is required if any of the following conditions apply: (1) the amount of withholding tax due is less than $500; or (2) the amount of withholding tax due is less than $5,000, the pass-through entity had no withholding tax liability for the preceding taxable year, and the preceding taxable year was 12 months.