Latest news with #WisTax
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
When is the tax deadline in Wisconsin? Here's what happens if you file late
Millions of Americans are expected to file their federal and state tax returns by the April 15 deadline, according to the IRS. However, if you're running late, you can still file an extension to avoid late fees from the federal government. Here's what you need to know about filing your taxes in Wisconsin, plus how to check the status of your refund. The deadline to file your state and federal income tax return is April 15, 2025. If you're unable to file your tax return by the April 15 deadline, you can apply for an extension. Here's how to file an extension, according to the IRS: You can electronically request an automatic tax-filling extension through IRS Free File by filing Form 4868, Application for Automatic Extension of Time to File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return. Make an electronic payment using Direct Pay, debit card, credit card or digital wallet and specify the payment is for an extension. Mail Form 4868 by the tax deadline. If you don't file your tax return by the due date, including extensions, you will receive a penalty from the IRS, according to its website. The IRS will send you a notice or letter if you owe the penalty. The amount depends of the type of tax return you file. For individuals and most business tax returns, the penalty is 5% of the tax due for each month or partial month the return is late. The penalty accrues up to a maximum of 25%. You have several options to file your state return, some of which won't cost you. WisTax is the state's free software for filing state income taxes. It uses your My Tax Account profile. If you opt for the IRS' Direct File program, federal form information will transfer into WisTax. You also won't need to attach forms like W-2s, 1099s or your federal return to state taxes. The Department of Revenue recommends waiting until your federal return is accepted before beginning your Wisconsin return. If your federal return gets rejected, you might have to update your state return, which can't be done through WisTax. In this case, you'd need to use third-party software, a paper form or find a tax professional. Those who don't qualify for Direct File might still be eligible to use WisTax. You can view eligibility information on its website. If you filed state taxes electronically in Wisconsin, then you should receive your refund in less than three weeks, according to the Wisconsin Department of Revenue. Paper tax returns, meanwhile, can take longer to process. The DOR says its safeguards against fraud and errors could delay paper refunds for up to 12 weeks. You can check the status of your Wisconsin state tax refund online on the state's portal. RELATED: Where's my tax refund? Is my deposit delayed? How to check federal, state refund status in Wisconsin Hope Karnopp contributed to this report. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: What time are taxes due on April 15? What happens if you file late?
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
When is Tax Day 2025? What to know in Wisconsin
Have you filed your taxes yet? If not, you probably want to start them soon since Tax Day is in exactly one week. While you still have time, you should know that the deadline is also the last day you can file for an extension. Here's what to know: Tax Day is on Tuesday, April 15. More: Why is tax day on April 15? Here's what to know about the history of the day State taxes are due on Tuesday, April 15, according to Wisconsin's Department of Revenue. Federal taxes are also due on that day. If you need more time to do your 2024 taxes, Tax Day is also the last day you can file for an extension, the Internal Revenue Service says. More: Tax deadline coming soon: What to know about filing for an extension You have several options to file your state return, some of which won't cost you. WisTax is the state's free software for filing state income taxes. It uses your My Tax Account profile. If you opt for the IRS' Direct File program, federal form information will transfer into WisTax. You also won't need to attach forms like W-2s, 1099s or your federal return to state taxes. The Department of Revenue recommends waiting until your federal return is accepted before beginning your Wisconsin return. If your federal return gets rejected, you might have to update your state return, which can't be done through WisTax. In this case, you'd need to use third-party software, a paper form or find a tax professional. Those who don't qualify for Direct File might still be eligible to use WisTax. You can view eligibility information on its website. More: Tax season starts Monday. Here's how to file federal and state taxes for free in Wisconsin If you filed state taxes electronically, you should receive your refund in less than three weeks, according to the Wisconsin Department of Revenue. Paper tax returns, meanwhile, could take longer to process. The DOR says its safeguards against fraud and errors, which could delay paper refunds for up to 12 weeks. You can check the status of your Wisconsin state tax refund online on the state's portal. Most federal refunds are issued within three weeks of electronic filing, according to the IRS. Refunds can take anywhere from six to eight weeks from the date the IRS gets a paper return. You can check your federal tax refund online using the IRS' "Where's My Refund?" tool. Hope Karnopp, Alex Groth and Maia Pandey contributed to this report. More: Where's my tax refund? Is my deposit delayed? How to check federal, state refund status in Wisconsin This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: When are taxes due in Wisconsin?
Yahoo
06-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Elon Musk says he 'deleted' IRS Direct File. Can Wisconsin taxpayers still use the free service?
With tax filing season underway, Elon Musk said earlier this week he deleted a program aimed at making filing returns easier for millions of Americans across multiple states, including Wisconsin. Elon Musk wrote on X on Monday that 18F, the digital consulting team who developed the IRS Direct File system, had been deleted. However, the program remained functional Thursday and is still accepting tax returns, although an X account associated with it is no longer active. Democrats and Republicans in Congress are battling over future of Direct File; nearly 30 Republican legislators asked President Trump to stop Direct File on day one of his presidency, according to a report from Nextgov. Trump tapped Musk to lead the Department of Government Efficiency and made him a "special government employee." The billionaire also runs Tesla, which paid zero in federal income taxes in 2021, according to a report from CNN. Here's an explanation of IRS Direct File, plus how to file your return in Wisconsin: Direct File is a new IRS program that allows millions of Americans with uncomplicated taxes to file returns at no cost. Piloted in a dozen states last year, Direct File expanded to 25 states in 2025. The full list includes Alaska, Arizona, California, Connecticut, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming. The IRS says 30 million taxpayers qualify to use the free service this year — pretty much anyone with a relatively straightforward return. The Direct File site will help you decide if you are eligible. 'Above all, our goal is to improve the experience of tax filing itself and help taxpayers meet their obligations quickly and easily,' said Danny Werfel, the now-former IRS commissioner, in a statement. WisTax is the state's free software for filing state income taxes. WisTax uses your My Tax Account profile, and you can log in or create one at If you use the IRS' Direct File program, information from your federal forms will transfer into WisTax. You also won't need to attach forms like W-2s, 1099s or your federal return to your state taxes. The Department of Revenue recommends waiting until your federal return is accepted before beginning your Wisconsin return. If your federal return gets rejected, you may need to update your state return, which can't be done through WisTax. You'd need to use third-party software, a paper form or find a tax professional. Taxpayers who don't qualify for Direct File might still be eligible to use WisTax. More information about eligibility is available at The deadline for both federal and state taxes is Tuesday, April 15, 2025. More information about deadlines, penalties and extensions is available on the Department of Revenue's website. RELATED: How to track your federal and Wisconsin tax refunds, tax refund status This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin taxes 2025: Elon Musk says he 'deleted' IRS Direct File
USA Today
06-02-2025
- Business
- USA Today
Elon Musk says he 'deleted' IRS Direct File. Can Wisconsin taxpayers still use the free service?
Hear this story With tax filing season underway, Elon Musk said earlier this week he deleted a program aimed at making filing returns easier for millions of Americans across multiple states, including Wisconsin. Elon Musk wrote on X on Monday that 18F, the digital consulting team who developed the IRS Direct File system, had been deleted. However, the program remained functional Thursday and is still accepting tax returns, although an X account associated with it is no longer active. Democrats and Republicans in Congress are battling over future of Direct File; nearly 30 Republican legislators asked President Trump to stop Direct File on day one of his presidency, according to a report from Nextgov. Trump tapped Musk to lead the Department of Government Efficiency and made him a "special government employee." The billionaire also runs Tesla, which paid zero in federal income taxes in 2021, according to a report from CNN. Here's an explanation of IRS Direct File, plus how to file your return in Wisconsin: What is IRS Direct File? Direct File is a new IRS program that allows millions of Americans with uncomplicated taxes to file returns at no cost. Piloted in a dozen states last year, Direct File expanded to 25 states in 2025. The full list includes Alaska, Arizona, California, Connecticut, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming. The IRS says 30 million taxpayers qualify to use the free service this year — pretty much anyone with a relatively straightforward return. The Direct File site will help you decide if you are eligible. 'Above all, our goal is to improve the experience of tax filing itself and help taxpayers meet their obligations quickly and easily,' said Danny Werfel, the now-former IRS commissioner, in a statement. How to file your 2024 Wisconsin tax return: WisTax is the state's free software for filing state income taxes. WisTax uses your My Tax Account profile, and you can log in or create one at If you use the IRS' Direct File program, information from your federal forms will transfer into WisTax. You also won't need to attach forms like W-2s, 1099s or your federal return to your state taxes. The Department of Revenue recommends waiting until your federal return is accepted before beginning your Wisconsin return. If your federal return gets rejected, you may need to update your state return, which can't be done through WisTax. You'd need to use third-party software, a paper form or find a tax professional. Taxpayers who don't qualify for Direct File might still be eligible to use WisTax. More information about eligibility is available at When are income taxes due in Wisconsin? The deadline for both federal and state taxes is Tuesday, April 15, 2025. More information about deadlines, penalties and extensions is available on the Department of Revenue's website. RELATED:How to track your federal and Wisconsin tax refunds, tax refund status
Yahoo
27-01-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Tax season starts Monday. Here's how to file federal and state taxes for free in Wisconsin
Starting Monday, many Wisconsinites will be able to file their federal income taxes for free using the IRS' Direct File program, which transfers information into Wisconsin's own free software for state taxes. This is the first tax filing season that the program is available in Wisconsin. Wisconsin is one of 25 states that offer the program, after 12 pilot states tested the program last year. Monday is the start of tax filing season. Eligible taxpayers in Wisconsin can file their federal income tax returns electronically, including on cellphones and other mobile devices, through the Direct File program. Direct File "integrates seamlessly" with WisTax, the state Department of Revenue says. Direct File imports information into WisTax, meaning you don't have to manually enter forms like W-2s and 1099s twice when filing state income taxes. "Not only does this save time; it reduces the likelihood of errors, making it among the fastest refund options available," the department said in a press release. Here's what to know about Direct File in Wisconsin, who's eligible and how it integrates with Wisconsin's state tax filing software: The IRS provides a checklist to understand if you're eligible for the program. That includes living in Wisconsin or another eligible state, earning all of your 2024 income in Wisconsin and not using the "married filing separately" filing status. If you plan to claim credits on Schedule CR, farmland preservation credits or repayment credits, the IRS says Direct File isn't a good option. There are other limits based on household wages — you can't use Direct File if your wages are more than $200,000, for example. The program is different than the IRS' Free File program, which provides access to free tax preparation software from eight private companies. More: Wisconsinites will be eligible to use a free, online tax-filing system in 2025 WisTax is the state's free software for filing state income taxes. WisTax uses your My Tax Account profile, and you can log in or create one at If you use the IRS' Direct File program, information from your federal forms will transfer into WisTax. You also won't need to attach forms like W-2s, 1099s or your federal return to your state taxes. The Department of Revenue recommends waiting until your federal return is accepted before beginning your Wisconsin return. If your federal return gets rejected, you may need to update your state return, which can't be done through WisTax. You'd need to use third-party software, a paper form or find a tax professional. Taxpayers who don't qualify for Direct File might still be eligible to use WisTax. More information about eligibility is available at The deadline for both federal and state taxes is Tuesday, April 15, 2025. More information about deadlines, penalties and extensions is available on the Department of Revenue's website. More: Wisconsin's tax burden compared with other states hits a new low Filing online provides the fastest refund, the department says. If you requested your return be directly deposited in your bank account, your refund should appear within three weeks. You can enter your tax return information on the department's website for updates on your refund status. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: You can file your 2025 taxes for free in Wisconsin. Here's how
