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?

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

   WisTax is available for taxpayers who have already completed their federal Form 1040 or 1040-SR 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 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 in 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.

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

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. Review the Free File information on the WisTax page for more information.

Applicable Laws and Rules

This document provides statements or interpretations of the following laws and regulations enacted as of March 6, 2024: 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.