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Wisconsin Department of Revenue

 Homestead Credit

Electronic-Filed Claims

  1. Can I file my homestead credit claim electronically?
  2. If I file my homestead credit claim electronically, how can I avoid making common errors that cause delays?
  3. When will I receive my homestead credit if I file electronically?
  4. What can I expect if my electronically filed Wisconsin income tax return was selected for review of my homestead credit claim?
  5. If I file my homestead credit claim electronically, do I need to send in any paper copies?
  6. What is the Wisconsin Form W-RA, Required Attachments for Electronic Filing? What should I attach to the Form W-RA before sending it?
  7. If I file my homestead credit claim electronically, how do I attach explanations and notes as requested in the Schedule H and H-EZ Instruction Booklet?
  1. Can I file my homestead credit claim electronically?

    Several options to file homestead credit claims electronically are available:

    • If you electronically file your 2007 federal and Wisconsin income tax returns, you can file your homestead credit claim electronically together with these tax returns. See the information concerning web-based filing and off-the-shelf or downloaded software. Note: Some low-income taxpayers may qualify for free preparation and filing. Otherwise, you may have a registered tax preparer or tax practitioner file your federal and Wisconsin returns, including homestead credit, electronically. Refer to the complete instructions on how to prepare your homestead claim electronically.

    • Another option is "Wisconsin Free-File". If you meet all of the qualifications, you can use "Wisconsin Free-File" to electronically file your 2007 Wisconsin income tax return and homestead credit claim at the same time.

      If you do not have a Wisconsin income tax filing requirement, you may still use "Wisconsin Free-File" to file your homestead credit claim. However, if this is your situation, you must select the Form 1A to submit with your homestead claim. No entries are required on the Form 1A; the homestead credit amount will automatically be entered for you on line 31 of the Form 1A. The Form 1A is required because the Department cannot accept an electronically filed Schedule H or H-EZ without a Wisconsin tax return attached to it.

      For additional information about this free of charge fill-in-the-form web site for filing electronically, go to Wisconsin Free-File.

    See electronic filing of your homestead credit claim for more information.

  2. If I file my homestead credit claim electronically, how can I avoid making common errors that cause delays?

    To avoid making common errors that cause delays, follow the tips and hints at "Electronically Filed Homestead Credit Information" in Wisconsin Tax Bulletin 153. The tips and hints address the most common errors that occurred from filing 2006 homestead credit claims electronically.

    Also, see the instructions on how to prepare your homestead credit claim electronically and Publication 127, Wisconsin Homestead Credit Situations and Solutions.

  3. When will I receive my homestead credit if I file electronically?

    You may be able to receive your homestead credit in as little as five business days if you file electronically, you choose direct deposit, and your claim is not selected for review.

    The normal processing time for an electronically filed homestead credit claim (with a Wisconsin Form 1 or Form 1A) that is not selected for review is five to ten business days. To avoid delays, you should refer to our Publication 127, Wisconsin Homestead Credit Situations and Solutions. If your electronically filed homestead credit claim is selected for review, see Question 4 for additional information. Once all issues are resolved and you chose direct deposit, a direct deposit of your refund will be made to your bank account. If the direct deposit fails, a paper check will be issued within ten business days.

    If it has been more than ten weeks since you submitted your homestead credit claim, or more than ten weeks since you submitted information requested by this Department, you may obtain refund information by e-mail to Refund Inquiry or through our web site. You may also call (608) 266-8100 (Madison) or (414) 227-4907 (Milwaukee) or 1-866-WIS-RFND (1-866-947-7363, toll-free within the U.S. or Canada). Either way, have your social security number and the dollar amount of your refund available. If you prefer, you may write to the Wisconsin Department of Revenue, Mail Stop 5-77, P.O. Box 8949, Madison, WI 53708-8949. Please include your social security number on all correspondence.

  4. What can I expect if my electronically filed Wisconsin income tax return was selected for review of my homestead credit claim?

    If you electronically filed your Wisconsin income tax return with a homestead credit claim, make sure the Form W-RA, Wisconsin Required Attachments for Electronic Filing, with all required attachments (Forms W-2, 1099-R, original rent certificates, tax bills, legal documents, and statements) was mailed to the Wisconsin Department of Revenue within 48 hours of receiving the acknowledgment that your Wisconsin return was accepted. You must mail the Form W-RA with attachments to P.O. Box 8977, Madison, WI 53708-8977. If you filed your return through a tax preparer, contact your preparer to make sure the Form W-RA with attachments was mailed to the Department at the correct address. Sending the Form W-RA with attachments to an incorrect address will cause additional delays.

    Note: A return selected for review will not be reviewed until the Form W-RA with attachments is received. Please wait a minimum of four weeks from the date the Form W-RA was actually sent before contacting the Department.

    When your Form W-RA with attachments is received, your Wisconsin income tax return, homestead credit claim, and Form W-RA with attachments are reviewed for correctness and completeness. After review, one of the following may happen:

    • You may receive a letter requesting additional information or documentation.
    • Your return may be adjusted based on the information provided.
    • Your return may be released from review with no adjustment based on the information provided.

    If your return is adjusted, you will receive an adjustment notice. The notice will show the amounts used to compute your correct homestead credit and the reasons your claim was adjusted. If you disagree with the adjustment made to your claim, you must file a written appeal within 60 days of receipt of our notice. If no appeal is filed within 60 days of receipt, the adjustment becomes final and conclusive.

    If your return was selected for review, and you chose direct deposit, a direct deposit of your refund will be made to your bank account. If the direct deposit fails, a paper check is sent to the address on your return.

  5. If I file my homestead credit claim electronically, do I need to send in any paper copies?

    For all electronically filed homestead credit claims, within 48 hours of receiving the Wisconsin acknowledgement, you must mail to the Department:

    • The Form W-RA, Required Attachments for Electronic Filing, and
    • All attachments, such as Forms W-2, W-2G, and 1099-R, property tax bills, original rent certificates, deeds, and other required documents.

    Don't send a paper copy of the electronically filed income tax return or Schedule H or H-EZ, Homestead Credit Claim, as this can cause delays.

  6. What is the Wisconsin Form W-RA, Required Attachments for Electronic Filing? What should I attach to the Form W-RA before sending it?

    The Form W-RA is the form you must either electronically transmit or mail with the required attachments when you electronically file a Wisconsin income tax return on which you have claimed homestead credit. Within 48 hours of receipt of your Wisconsin acknowledgment, you must either electronically transmit or mail your Form W-RA along with all of the required attachments (Forms W-2, W-2G, 1099-R, original 2007 rent certificates, copies of your 2007 property tax bills, legal documents, and statements) to the Wisconsin Department of Revenue, P.O. Box 8977, Madison, WI 53708-8977.

    Note: Refunds may not complete processing until we receive the Form W-RA. Be sure to either electronically transmit or mail the Form W-RA and its attachments timely and to the correct address.

  7. If I file my homestead credit claim electronically, how do I attach explanations and notes as requested in the Schedule H and H-EZ Instruction Booklet?

    You should use the Homestead Notes and Attachments page provided by your software and submit the information electronically with your homestead credit claim. Refer to this list of all the instances when a claimant must provide either a note or a copy of a document when filing a homestead credit claim. Your software should allow you to check all instances that apply to the claim.

    For detailed instructions see: "Electronic Filing of Individual Income Tax Returns with Homestead Credit Claims".

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE
Mail Stop 5-77
P.O. Box 8949
Madison, WI 53708-8949
Phone: (608) 266-8641
Fax: (608) 264-7776
E-Mail Additional Questions

Last updated January 9, 2008