Latest news with #WisconsinDepartmentofRevenue
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Yahoo
Wisconsin DOR agent solves property fraud case worth over $800k, restores inheritance to rightful owner
(WFRV)—The Wisconsin Department of Revenue (DOR) said that one of its Special Agents participated in an interstate investigation that resulted in a person's arrest for property fraud, with the rightful owner of the money getting their inheritance in the end. Special Agent Michael Austin with the DOR Office of Criminal Investigation was alerted by bank employees in Tennessee after a customer suspiciously deposited nearly $900,000 in unclaimed property checks. Appleton Police Department warns of increased scams during Draft Week Bankers placed a hold on the funds and contacted the DOR, leading to Special Agent Austin coordinating efforts with the bank that would have the customer claim the money in person and be arrested by local officials. This plan failed last second, and Special Agent Austin had to change gears; however, he told the suspect the money could be picked up at the Georgia DOR. The suspect was subsequently met by law enforcement, who were unsure if it was the person due to prior contact made only through a 'burner' phone. To ensure it was him, Special Agent Austin dialed the phone number he had previously spoken with, and the phone rang. The suspect was then arrested and identified as a former law school student serving parole time for multiple large financial crimes. United States Attorneys in Georgia prosecuted the suspect, who will serve 15 months in prison. Not only was an arrest made, but the true owner of the unclaimed property, a Wisconsin taxpayer, was found. The person who was the rightful owner was found through contact with five local law enforcement groups, the United States Postal Service and the Social Security Administration. The person who was given their rightful money expressed disbelief that he was found, especially considering he didn't know he had unclaimed money owed to him. The Wisconsin DOR expressed pride in Special Agent Austin, saying only somebody with his skills could've possibly done what he had. 160+ grams of meth laced with fentanyl seized during traffic stop in Wisconsin 'In this case, he was able to use his negotiation skills, quick thinking, intelligence, communication skills and charisma to locate the suspect and get the funds to the rightful owner,' Office of Criminal Investigation Director Justin Shemanski said. No additional details were provided. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Where's my tax refund? Is my deposit delayed? How to check federal, state refund status in Wisconsin
Tax Day is in two weeks. If you've already filed your state and federal taxes in Wisconsin, you're probably wondering when you'll get your refund — especially with potential delays from Internal Revenue Service job cuts. Here's what to know about refund timelines and how to check the status of yours: 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. More: Wisconsin ranks among states with the lowest average tax refunds, study says Similarly, 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. More: Could IRS layoffs delay tax refunds for Wisconsinites? More: Do IRS cuts mean you can make mistakes on your taxes in 2025? Some taxpayers think so. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Tax Day 2025: How to check Wisconsin, federal tax refund status
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Wisconsin ranks among states with the lowest average tax refunds, study says
Wisconsin ranks among the 10 states with the lowest average tax refunds, according to an analysis by LendingTree, an online lending marketplace. In tax year 2022, the last year with available data, Wisconsin residents received an average refund of $3,580, which ranks 43rd among the 50 states and Washington, D.C. That's more than $800 lower than the national average of $4,381 that year. There is some good news for Wisconsin taxpayers: average refunds statewide have increased nearly $600 since 2018, according to LendingTree. Between 2020 and 2021, in particular, Wisconsin residents received an average refund that was more than $400 higher. To compile the ranking, LendingTree analyzed federal individual income tax returns filed between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2023 for tax year 2022. It also surveyed nearly 2,000 U.S. consumers earlier this month on their views on tax returns, finding two-thirds of respondents plan to put their tax return in a savings account or use it to pay off debt. Here's which states saw the lowest and highest average tax returns and how Wisconsin compares: Here are the states with the lowest average tax refunds for tax year 2022, according to LendingTree: West Virginia ($3,183) Maine ($3,199) New Mexico ($3,394) Oregon ($3,472) Kentucky ($3,490) Iowa ($3,537) Ohio ($3,562) Vermont ($3,575) Wisconsin ($3,580) Minnesota ($3,686) Here are the states with the highest average tax refunds for tax year 2022, according to LendingTree: Wyoming ($6,367) Florida ($5,934) Washington, D.C. ($5,848) Connecticut ($5,284) New York ($5,263) Massachusetts ($5,092) Nevada ($5,090) Texas ($4,291) Illinois ($4,604) New Jersey ($4,541) If you filed state taxes electronically in Wisconsin, then you should receive your refund in less than 12 weeks, according to the Wisconsin Department of Revenue. Similarly, most federal refunds are issued within three weeks of electronic filing, according to the IRS. Paper tax returns, meanwhile, can take longer to process on the state and federal level. Refunds can take anywhere from six to eight weeks from the date the IRS gets a paper return. You can check the status of your Wisconsin state tax refund online on the state's portal, and the status of your federal tax refund online using the IRS' "Where's My Refund?" tool. More: Could IRS layoffs delay tax refunds for Wisconsinites? This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: What's the average tax refund in Wisconsin?
Yahoo
05-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Where is my state tax refund? Here's how to check your Wisconsin state refund status
If you've already filed your state and federal taxes in Wisconsin, you're probably wondering when you'll get your refund — especially with potential delays from Internal Revenue Service layoffs. Here's what to know about refund timelines and how to check the status of yours: If you filed state taxes electronically in Wisconsin, then you should receive your refund in less than 12 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. Similarly, 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. Employees affected by layoffs will reportedly be new hires and those in lower-level positions, though it remains unclear if such cuts will impact the processing of tax returns and refunds. Despite the uncertainty, experts are urging taxpayers to file returns early to avoid potential delays. Certified public accountant Richard Pon told USA TODAY in mid-February complications that could arise from staffing reductions include understaffed processing centers and longer processing times for correspondence and amended returns. More: Could IRS layoffs delay tax refunds for Wisconsinites? This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: When will I get my Wisconsin state tax refund?
Yahoo
27-01-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
How to track your federal and Wisconsin tax refunds
Tax season is officially underway in Wisconsin and nationwide — meaning some people may already be looking forward to receiving their tax refunds. More than a third of taxpayers relay on tax refunds to make ends meet, according to recent survey by Credit Karma, a financial management platform. Among millennials, that rate was even higher at 50%. If you've already filed your taxes, here's when to expect your Wisconsin and federal tax refunds. If you filed state taxes electronically in Wisconsin, then you should receive your refund in less than 12 weeks, according to the Wisconsin Department of Revenue. In fact, most refunds are issues within three weeks of electronic filing. Paper tax returns, meanwhile, can take longer to process, the department said. The timeline for receiving federal tax refunds is similar to the state one in Wisconsin. If you file electronically, it should take less than three weeks to receive your refund and even less time if you choose direct deposit. If you mail in a paper return, the refund should be issued within six to eight weeks of the date the IRS receives the filing. These timelines are contingent on your returns being complete and accurate, the IRS said. After you file your taxes, you can track your state refund on the Wisconsin Department of Revenue website and your federal refund on the IRS website. To do so, you'll need your: Tax year Social Security number or individual taxpayer ID number (ITIN) Exact refund amount Filing status (only required for the IRS tracker) The IRS says information is updated once daily, overnight. And once a refund is marked sent, "It may take 5 days for it to show in your bank account or several weeks for your check to arrive in the mail." If there is an issue with your tax return requiring more information or additional review, the IRS will send you a letter and your refund could be delayed. More: Tax season starts Monday. Here's how to file federal and state taxes for free in Wisconsin This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: When will federal and Wisconsin tax refunds arrive? How to track
