Wisconsin State Income Taxes

Like your federal return, your Wisconsins state tax return is due on April 15th.

This page:

  • Lists basic Wisconsin state tax information

  • Links to the major Wisconsin income tax forms

  • Shows you how you can save time and money by e-filing

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Wisconsin state taxes at a glance:

Tax Rate Range: Low - 4.6%; High - 6.75%
Income Brackets: Lowest - $8,840; Highest - $132,580
Number of Brackets: 4
Personal Exemptions: Single - $700; Married - $1,400; Dependents - $400; Seniors - $950
Standard Deduction: Single - $7,650; Married filing Jointly - $8,900
Medical/Dental Deduction: 5% credit for expenses in excess of standard deduction
Federal Income Tax Deduction: None

*These levels are for single individuals. Married taxpayers filing jointly have a range starting at $10,750 and going to $155,100.

Filing your Wisconsin state income tax return

The filing status used on your Wisconsin state tax return does not have to be the same as the filing status of the federal return. For example, you may file jointly on the Wisconsinreturn even though you used the married filing separately status for federal tax purposes.

In addition to being allowed to change your filing status, you may also itemize deductions on one return and take the standard deduction on the other.

As a resident of Wisconsin, you are also allowed numerous tax credits, although these credits are usually rather specific. The most common is the earned income credit, which is also offered as a federal income tax credit. This credit depends upon your income and number of children.

For a full list of credits and deductions, you can look in the index of the Wisconsin Form 1 instruction booklet.

Full year residents of Wisconsin are taxed on income from all sources, which includes out of state retirement pay.

Capital gain income in Wisconsin is taxable at the same rate as the rest of income.However, Wisconsin does have a 60% capital gain exclusion of net capitalgain from assets held more than one year.

Nonresident's of Wisconsin are not required to file a return unless yourwages from Wisconsin sources is $2,000 or more. Part year residents and nonresidents that must file should use Wisconsin Form 1NPR

Sidebar
You can work on your Wisconsin tax return online while filing your federal return (you can work on it for free, and pay nothing until you are ready to file).

Note: if you are filing more than one state return, you must file a paper return for each additional state, as TurboTax for The Web only allows one state prep.

Wisconsin income tax forms

The main Wisconsin tax forms are:

Form 1 | 2011 Wisconsin Income Tax Return | Instructions

Form 1A | Short Wisconsin Income Tax Return | Instructions

Schedule WD | Capital Gains and Losses |

Schedule I | Adjustments to Income |

Form WI-Z | Income Tax Return Easy Form |

If you need Wisconsin income tax forms that are not listed here, you can download them from the Wisconsin tax forms site.


Or, just simply e-file!

Additional WI state taxes help

If you need help with your federal tax return, start with our basic guide to tax filing.

For additional help with filing WI income tax returns, see the official site of the Wisconsin Department of Revenue.

State income tax info: