Homestead Credit
Paper-Filed Claims
- Where do I file a homestead credit claim?
- How can I avoid making errors that cause my homestead credit claim to be adjusted or to be sent back or a letter sent to me requesting more information?
- When will I receive my homestead credit?
- What can I expect if my paper-filed homestead credit claim or my paper-filed Wisconsin income tax return was selected for review of my homestead credit claim?
- What should I attach to my paper-filed Wisconsin income tax return and Schedule H or H-EZ before mailing them?
- I do not have a Wisconsin income tax filing requirement. What should I attach to my paper-filed Schedule H or H-EZ?
- Where do I file a homestead credit claim?
If you file a paper Wisconsin income tax return, you should file your complete homestead credit claim with your income tax return, stapled together. Refer to "How to Assemble" on page 14 of the Schedule H and H-EZ instruction booklet. Be sure your homestead credit claim includes a copy of your 2008 property tax bill (if you owned and occupied your home) or an original rent certificate signed by your landlord (if you rented your home). Mail your homestead credit claim and income tax return to:
Wisconsin Department of Revenue
P.O. Box 34
Madison, WI 53786-0001Separate filing of your income tax return and homestead credit claim could delay your homestead credit refund. Note: You must attach your homestead credit claim to a Form 1, 1A, or 1NPR, if applicable. You cannot file Form WI-Z if you are claiming homestead credit. If your Wisconsin return is a Form 1 or 1NPR, also include a complete copy of your federal income tax return and all supporting schedules.
If you (or you and your spouse) are not required to file an income tax return, you may file your completed homestead credit claim, including a copy of your 2007 property tax bill (if you owned and occupied your home) or an original rent certificate signed by your landlord (if you rented your home), to:
Wisconsin Department of Revenue
P.O. Box 34
Madison, WI 53786-0001Note: Don't delay your refund. Be sure to attach all proper documents to your homestead credit claim.
- How can I avoid making errors that cause my homestead credit claim to be adjusted or to be sent back or a letter sent to me requesting more information?
Wisconsin Publication 127, Wisconsin Homestead Credit Situations and Solutions, lists common situations that require special attention and may require additional documentation or explanations when filing a homestead credit claim. For each situation, solutions are given that will help avoid having a homestead credit claim adjusted or sent back or a letter sent requesting more information.
- When will I receive my homestead credit?
The normal processing time for a paper-filed homestead credit claim (with or without a Wisconsin Form 1 or Form 1A) is six to ten weeks depending on the time of year you filed your claim. It is best to file your Wisconsin income tax return with your Schedule H or H-EZ if you have an income tax filing requirement. Also, it is best to file as early in the year as possible (February or March). Delays will happen if all documents are not attached to your Schedule H or H-EZ. Documents include a copy of your 2008 property tax bill (if you owned and occupied your home), an original rent certificate signed by your landlord (if you rented your home), plus a complete copy of your Wisconsin and federal income tax returns, when required.
If your paper claim is returned to you or a letter is sent to you requesting more information, the six to ten week processing time starts again when you resubmit the claim or letter with the requested information to the Department. See Question 4 for additional information.
To avoid having your homestead credit claim sent back to you to obtain additional information, or having your claim adjusted, you should refer to our Publication 127, Wisconsin Homestead Credit Situations and Solutions.
If it has been less than ten weeks since you filed your homestead credit claim, please be patient. We are working on all claims to get the refunds out as quickly as possible.
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 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.
- What can I expect if my paper-filed homestead credit claim or my paper-filed Wisconsin income tax return was selected for review of my homestead credit claim?
The Department reviews all homestead credit claims and all Wisconsin income tax returns with a homestead credit claim for correctness and completeness. Your refund will be delayed if your homestead credit claim or your return with a homestead credit claim is selected for review.
If your homestead credit claim is selected for review and is missing information or documentation, one of the following will happen:
Your entire claim will be sent back to you with a notice indicating what information or documentation you need to submit along with your claim. If you receive such a notice, attach the information or documentation requested and return your entire claim with the notice to the Wisconsin Department of Revenue, P.O. Box 34, Madison, WI 53786-0001.
You will receive a letter indicating what information or documentation you need to submit. If you receive such a letter, attach the information or documentation requested to the letter and return the letter in the enclosed self-addressed envelope to the Revenue Audit Bureau, Wisconsin Department of Revenue, P.O. Box 8906, Madison, WI 53708-8906.
In either situation, processing of your claim will require six to ten weeks after the completed claim or letter is received in this office.
If there is something incorrect with your claim, your claim will be corrected and 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.
- What should I attach to my paper-filed Wisconsin income tax return and Schedule H or H-EZ before mailing them?
Before mailing your Wisconsin income tax return with your Schedule H or H-EZ, you should attach to them:
- Your completed 2008 rent certificate(s) and/or a copy of your 2008 property tax bill(s),
- Other homestead credit notes, schedules, or legal documents,
- Other Wisconsin schedules, such as Schedule WD or I,
- Your wage statements and/or Forms 1099-R, and
- A copy of your federal income tax return and schedules (not necessary if your Wisconsin return is a Form 1A).
Refer to "How to Assemble" on page 14 of the Schedule H and H-EZ instruction booklet.
- I do not have a Wisconsin income tax filing requirement. What should I attach to my paper-filed Schedule H or H-EZ?
Before mailing your Schedule H or H-EZ, you should attach to it:
- Your completed 2008 rent certificate(s) and/or a copy of your 2008 property tax bill(s), and
- Other homestead credit notes, schedules, or legal documents.
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 December 4, 2008