Wisconsin Tax Filling

Filing Your Wisconsin State Taxes

It is tax season again! Figuring out and filing your tax forms can be intimidating – but there is help. Here you will find answers, forms and more that will make your paperwork easier, faster and less stressful. The information below will help you determine your residency status, find the correct forms you need and give you other information you want to get started.

State income tax returns for 2012 are due April 15.

Comparing Your Options in Online Tax Software

TurboTax and H&R Block are the most prominent online tax software providers for those who do their own taxes. All are appropriate for many types of personal and business tax preparation. They differ in pricing and each has its own positives and negatives. So check them out, compare and read the reviews to pick the one that’s best for you.

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Wisconsin Tax Forms

• Wisconsin Form 1NPR - Wisconsin Individual Part-year and Non-resident Income Tax Return
• Wisconsin Schedule OS - Wisconsin Credit for Tax Paid To Another State
• Wisconsin Form 1 - Wisconsin Individual Resident Income Tax Return (Long)
• Wisconsin Form 1A - Wisconsin Individual Resident Income Tax Return (Intermediate)
• Wisconsin Form WI-Z - Wisconsin Individual Resident Income Tax Return (Short)
• Wisconsin Form 1-ES - Wisconsin Estimated Income Tax Voucher
• Wisconsin Schedule CG - Wisconsin Income Tax Deferral of Long-Term Capital Gain
• Wisconsin Form 1X - Amended Return Wisconsin Income Tax
• WI Schedule I - Wisconsin Adjustments to Convert 2011 Federal Adjusted Gross Income and Itemized Deductions to the Amounts Allowable

How Do I Know What Kind of Resident I Am? What Form Do I File?

There are four groups of people who need to file some sort of tax form in Wisconsin. Wisconsin residents, part-year Wisconsin residents, people who live in Wisconsin but work in another state, people who live in another state and work in Wisconsin and people who had other forms of income from Wisconsin that tax year.

Wisconsin Residents

Anyone who lived in Wisconsin for the entire year is a full-year Wisconsin resident. Full-year residents are required to file a Wisconsin resident income tax return using Form 1, unless their income is below the amounts in the table found in the Form 1 Instructions which you can download above.

Part-Year Residents

If you only resided in Wisconsin for part of the year or moved to or from Wisconsin, you are considered a part-year Wisconsin resident. Part-year residents whose income exceeded $2,000 are required to file a part-year resident return with Wisconsin. You will be taxed on all income earned while you were a Wisconsin resident as well as on any income you earned in Wisconsin while you were a resident of another state.

To file the portion of your return as a resident, you would file according to the instructions for full-year Wisconsin residents. For the portion of the year during which you were not a Wisconsin resident, file according to the instructions for filing a nonresident return (see “Work in Wisconsin, Live Out of State”).

Live in Wisconsin, Work Out of State

If you have already determined that you fit the criteria and are a Wisconsin resident and you worked out of state, you will be taxed by Wisconsin on any income earned out of state. File your resident return with Wisconsin using Form 1 and file your return with whichever state you worked in. Then fill out Schedule OS and file it along with your Wisconsin income tax return. Make sure to attach the other state’s return and your W-2 (which your employer should have sent you) in order to avoid dual taxation on income earned out of state. Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan and Minnesota have agreements in place already so that Wisconsin residents will only be taxed by Wisconsin on income earned from wages, salaries and commissions.

Work in Wisconsin, Live Out of State

If you are a part-year resident or a nonresident and you earned more than $2,000 from wages, salaries or commissions from Wisconsin sources, you are required to file a part-year resident return. Nonresidents and part-year residents file Form-1NPR. For more information on how to fill out Form-1NPR, you can download the instructions above.

Nonresidents of Wisconsin who earned any income from rents or royalties from property they own in Wisconsin, the sale of property in Wisconsin, profit or losses from businesses or farming in Wisconsin or winnings from gambling or the lottery are required to file a nonresident return with Wisconsin.

Individuals filing as single can exclude up to $250,000 and married couples filing jointly can exclude up to $500,000 in capital gains if it is from the sale of their main home. You can make this exclusion on both your state and federal income tax returns.

Nonresidents and part-year residents file Form-1NPR. For more information on how to fill out Form-1NPR, you can download the instructions above.