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Wisconsin Department of Revenue

 Payment

  1. What payment alternatives are offered?
  2. What should I do if I can not pay the full amount of tax due with my tax return?
  3. How do I request an installment agreement to pay my taxes?
  4. Can I use automatic withdrawals from my bank account to pay my delinquent taxes?
  1. What payment alternatives are offered?

    • Pay by Credit Card Individual income taxpayers who filed a Wisconsin tax return with the Department of Revenue last year, business taxpayers who file returns and pay bills, and taxpayers who have a delinquent tax notice payment key are all eligible to pay by credit card.

    • Pay by Direct Debit Withdrawal -- For electronic filers only

      • Direct Debit is available only to individual income taxpayers filing electronically, through the Federal/State program or the Wisconsin Free-File program.
      • It's free and the taxpayer decides when the tax payment is withdrawn from the bank account.
      • Funds must be available in the taxpayer's account on the date the taxpayer specifies to withdraw the taxes owed through Direct Debit.
      • A taxpayer may e-file early and, at the same time, authorize the withdrawal from a savings or checking account as late as April 15, 2005. If the authorized payment date is after April 15, the return will be rejected.
      • For returns filed after April 15, the payment is effective on the filing date. If the date is later than the return file date, the return will be rejected.
      • Returns will be rejected if the payment date is missing or invalid.

    • Pay by check

      If you have filed electronically, enclose your check with Form EPV (Electronic Payment Voucher) and mail to:

      Wisconsin Department of Revenue
      P.O. Box 2942
      Milwaukee, WI 53201-2942

      If you have filed a paper return, enclose your check with your return. If you do not enclose a check, a bill will be sent to you after the return has been processed. Note: This may take several weeks and may result in interest being due in addition to the amount owed.

  2. What should I do if I can not pay the full amount of tax due with my tax return?

    If you can not pay the full amount due with your tax return, file the completed Wisconsin tax form on time and pay as much as possible. By filing on time, you will avoid late charges and late filing negligence penalties. In certain cases, you may have the option to pay the balance due shown on your individual income tax return by credit card. See Credit Card Payments for more information. You will receive a bill for the unpaid balance.

  3. How do I request an installment agreement to pay my taxes?

    You may contact the Department office closest to you or call the Madison office at (608) 266-7879 to request an installment agreement or use the online version to request the agreement. A Revenue Agent will negotiate the payment terms with you. You will need to provide financial information, including your employer and financial institution, on Form A-771. If you enter into an agreement with the Department to pay your delinquent taxes in installments, a $20 installment agreement fee will be charged.

    As long as you honor the terms of the installment agreement (make installment payments and timely file and pay current liabilities), the Department will not take other collection action. However, the Department may file a delinquent tax warrant or intercept subsequent refunds even though you are honoring the terms of your agreement.

    You should be aware that it is generally to your advantage to pay your liability in full rather than in installments. If your bill is not paid in full by the due date, you become liable for interest of 18% per year and a delinquent tax collection fee of the greater of $35 or 6 1/2 percent of the unpaid amount. Private loans generally offer more favorable terms.

  4. Can I use automatic withdrawals from my bank account to pay my delinquent taxes?

    Yes, you can have monthly payments automatically withdrawn from your checking or savings account. First you must request an installment agreement or have an existing installment agreement with the Department of Revenue. Once the Department has approved your monthly installment agreement, you can choose to have your payment automatically withdrawn from your bank account and credited to your delinquent tax balance.

    If you do not currently have an installment agreement, you can download Form A-771 to request an installment agreement for delinquent tax. Mail the completed forms to the Central Collection Section, Wisconsin Department of Revenue, P.O. Box 8901, Madison, WI 53708-8901. The Department will notify you whether or not your proposed agreement is approved.

    The Department implements automatic withdrawals on the 5th, 15th, and 25th days of the month. In order to participate in the Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) program, your installment payment must be due once a month on either the 5th, 15th, or 25th day of the month. To request an automatic withdrawal, download Form A-771a to authorize EFT. Mail the completed form to the Central Collection Section, Wisconsin Department of Revenue, P.O. Box 8901, Madison, WI 53708-8901.

    You can send the EFT authorization form with the installment agreement request or at any time while the agreement is in effect. If you have an existing agreement with a cycle and due date that does not meet the requirements for the EFT program, the cycle and due date will be changed when the Department receives your automatic withdrawal request.

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE
Central Collection Section
P.O. Box 8901
Madison, WI 53708-8901
Phone: (608) 266-7879
Fax: (608) 261-8978
E-Mail Additional Questions

Last updated December 19, 2007