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Wisconsin Department of Revenue

 My Tax Account Registration FAQs

Home | Registration Quick Start | Registration FAQs | Navigation | Filing and Amending Returns | Making Payments | General Assistance

Many answers to your questions can be found in the responses to these Frequently Asked Questions. Please review this information before contacting the department by telephone or e-mail.

About My Tax Account
System Requirements & Security
Getting Started
WAMS ID & Passwords
Account Access


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Account Access

About My Tax Account

What is My Tax Account?

My Tax Account is the Department of Revenue’s free online business tax service that allows businesses to access their accounts to view current account status, file and amend returns, make payments, and manage and update account information. It’s simple, secure and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

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What business taxes can I file and pay online?

My Tax Account currently allows businesses to file online state business tax returns and electronic, pre-authorized payments for the following tax types:

Tax types that may be available at a future date include estimated income tax payments, individual income tax, corporate/franchise income tax, partnership income tax, excise taxes, and the dry cleaning facility fee.

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How do I access My Tax Account?

My Tax Account can be accessed at: https://tap.revenue.wi.gov. Taxpayers may also navigate to My Tax Account via the link from the Department of Revenue’s Home page at: www.revenue.wi.gov. From this home page, click on the “Login” hyperlink listed directly under the My Tax Account words. We recommend that you save the login page web address as a Favorite or Bookmark address.

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Can my accountant or 3rd party preparer electronically file my business tax returns on My Tax Account, if my business does not have Internet access?

Yes. Your accountant or 3rd party preparer can request access to your business tax accounts if your business does not have access to the Internet and your business is not registered to use My Tax Account. In order to pursue this access, the 3rd party preparer or accountant must have a Form A-777a on file that has been signed by their client. This form provides for their client’s approval to file returns and to access tax account information through My Tax Account.

Option B of the Add 3rd Party Account Access registration option allows the 3rd party preparer or accountant to add access to the business tax accounts of their clients that do not have access to the Internet and an e-mail address, after providing the qualifying information about their client’s tax filing and paying history.

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What information is required to register my business for My Tax Account?

For immediate access, you must provide the following information to verify that you have the authority to access an account:

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System Requirements & Security

What are the system requirements to use My Tax Account?

My Tax Account users are recommended to use Internet Explorer 5.1 (or higher), Mozilla Firefox 1.0.2 (or higher), or Safari browser 2.0 (or higher), as your browser to access the My Tax Account website. Using a different browser to access this website may reduce site functionality. You should also disable any local settings, utilities, or browser settings that auto-fill or auto-complete fields in your browser.

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How is my financial information protected?

The Department of Revenue takes information protection very seriously. There are multiple layers of security within the application to protect your data. Your access to My Tax Account uses Secure Socket Layer (SSL) from your browser to protect any information you submit or view from the My Tax Account system. Your user names and account passwords are protected so that even My Tax Account administrators cannot access this information.

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What can I do to secure my information?

Because you establish your own unique user ID and password, only you have access to your online accounts and only you may grant authorization to additional users to access your accounts. All information transferred to your computer is done over a secure connection. You can help maintain this security by doing the following:

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Do I need to turn off my computer’s pop-up blocker feature?

There are some links within My Tax Account that will launch or pop-up a new window of information that may be blocked by your computer from displaying on to your screen and which may also prevent your ability to print documents. It is recommended that you either disable your computer’s pop-up blocker features or change your computer’s pop-up blocker settings to allow pop-ups while navigating through the My Tax Account secure website.

You may refer to your browser’s (i.e., Internet Explorer, Safari, Firefox) Internet Options or Preference settings to locate your pop-up blocker settings. You may also locate pop-up blocker features in additional toolbars that may be installed on your browser, such as Google and Yahoo. Some Internet users have more than one pop-up blocker feature installed that may need modification.

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Getting Started

What is a Quick Start Registration?

Quick Start Registration provides step-by-step My Tax Account registration procedures for the Access Request customer profile registration page. There are four registration path options: Sole Proprietor, Non-Sole Proprietor, Third Party Independent Sole Proprietor, and Third Party Firm. Answering the Quick Start questions will assist you in choosing which of the four registration options that you should use.

Each owner, officer, or designated employee requiring access to business tax accounts will associate their WAMS ID with the business using the Sole Proprietor or Non-Sole Proprietor registration options.

Each third party preparer that requires access to a client’s business tax accounts must first associate their WAMS ID with their accounting business using the Third Party Independent Sole Proprietor or Third Party Firm registration options. And then request third party access to their client’s business tax accounts.

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How do I get started?

There are two registration parts to My Tax Account:

  1. The user must create an individual State issued Web Access Management System (WAMS) on the Wisconsin Department of Electronic Technology (DET)’s WAMS website. The State WAMS ID is assigned to a unique e-mail address and can only have logon ID associated to one e-mail address. DET provides customer support for WAMS user ID issues.

  2. Once their individual State issued WAMS ID is created and activated, the user may then login with their State issued WAMS ID and password to the Department of Revenue DOR’s My Tax Account web application to register their business to use My Tax Account. After you are able to successfully login to My Tax Account, DOR provides customer support for My Tax Account issues.

The steps to register your business for My Tax Account are as follows:

  1. You must first create and activate your own individual State issued unique Wisconsin Web Access Management System (WAMS) User ID assigned by the Wisconsin Department of Electronic Technology at the WAMS website : WAMS Self Registration. Please visit the WAMS FAQS for additional information.

  2. Once you have activated your WAMS ID, you may login to the Department of Revenue’s My Tax Account website using your WAMS ID and password to create your own My Tax Account User Profile in the first time registrant “Customer Access Request” page at: https://tap.revenue.wi.gov. Complete the required fields to authenticate the business that you wish to register and associate to your individual user profile. You will need the business identification number (WTN, FEIN, or SSN), business real name, and business zip code.

    Each owner, officer, or designated employee requiring access to business tax accounts will associate their WAMS ID with the business. Each third party preparer that requires access to a client’s business tax accounts must first associate their WAMS ID with their accounting business and then request third party access to their client’s business tax accounts. Please Note: My Tax Account is an application associated with and linked to the Wisconsin Department of Revenue’s WINPAS integrated tax processing system. In order to be able to use My Tax Account, all individuals and businesses must be a WINPAS registrant.

  3. Next, choose the proper registration option to request access to a business tax account: (a)“Add Access to an Account” for an employer/business owner and their designated employees to access their own business tax accounts. Business owner/employees may choose Option A to add access to their business tax accounts or Option B to add access to their Police and Fire Protection Fee account. OR (b)“Add 3rd Party Account Access” for third party preparers/accountants to request access to their client’s business tax accounts. Third party preparers/accountants may choose either Option A - to request access to their client’s business accounts that do have Internet access and/or Option B - to request access to their client’s business accounts that do not have access to the Internet and an e-mail address.

  4. Add the tax account type(s) that you require access to. For authentication, you will need information from one of the three most recently filed tax returns or if you are a new registrant that has no return filing history with the Department of Revenue, the Letter Identification Number (LXXXXXXXXXX) listed in the greeting letter in the business tax account’s new registrant packet.

    The Letter Identification Number (LXXXXXXXXXX) is listed in the upper right hand section, below the date, of the greeting letter that was sent to you when you first registered for a business tax account. This greeting letter lists the registrant’s business tax account number, business tax type, the reporting starting date, and the filing frequency.

    Note: Each owner, officer, or designated employee that successfully requests access to one business tax account (i.e. Sales, Withholding, etc.) will automatically receive access to all business tax accounts for the business. The individual with the “Master” level authority for the business may then limit access to specific tax account types after receiving the My Tax Account Access Request e-mail.

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What is meant by "ID Type" on the Customer Access Request registration screen?

The Department of Revenue (DOR)’s My Tax Account Customer Access Request registration is based on how the business taxpaying entity is registered with DOR and not necessarily the business itself. The business entity should be registered as the way they are listed on their business tax registration certificate.

Example: If Jane Doe is a sole proprietor, dba ABC Restaurant LLC (disregarded single member). DOR registers Jane Doe, as the taxpaying entity, for the business seller’s permit since she is filing her business income tax on a Schedule C with her personal IRS 1040 income tax return. Her Business Tax Registration (BTR) certificate lists Jane Doe as the real name for the business, and not the LLC name since she is not filing a corporate income tax return.

Enter one of the following four ID types for your business; third party preparers will enter their accounting business ID information:

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What is meant by "Customer Last Name or Business Name" on the Customer Access Request registration screen?

The Department of Revenue (DOR)’s My Tax Account Customer Access Request registration is based on how the business taxpaying entity is registered with DOR and not necessarily the business itself. The business entity should be registered as the way they are listed on their business tax registration certificate.

Example: If Jane Doe is a sole proprietor, dba ABC Restaurant LLC (disregarded single member). DOR registers Jane Doe, as the taxpaying entity, for the business seller’s permit since she is filing her business income tax on a Schedule C with her personal IRS 1040 income tax return. Her Business Tax Registration (BTR) certificate lists Jane Doe as the real name for the business, and not the LLC name since she is not filing a corporate income tax return.

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Will My Tax Account accept my foreign address zip code in the “Customer Zip Code” field on the Customer Access Request registration screen?

No, however, My Tax Account will allow you to enter “00000” in the “Customer Zip Code” field instead of your foreign address zip code just for this registration purpose.

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What is meant by "Total tax due from prior return" on the Customer Access Request registration screen?

Only one of these two fields, Authorization Amount and Letter ID (Identification Number), on the Account Summary registration page must be completed:

Enter the total (net) tax due from one of the three most recently filed returns or deposit reports for the tax type selected. Do not include penalty or interest. This should be from a return that is already on file with the Department.

This information is requested to verify that you have the authority to access an account for the privacy, confidentiality, and protection of the business tax records.

Note: If a 3rd party preparer is using the Add 3rd Party Account Access - Option B registration for a client that has no filing/paying history with the Department of Revenue, skip the Authorization Amount field and select the box labeled “No Prior Filing History.”

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What is meant by “Letter ID (Identification Number)” on the Account Summary registration screen?

Only one of these two fields, Authorization Amount and Letter ID (Identification Number), on the Account Summary registration page must be completed:

An individual may use the Letter Identification Number (LXXXXXXXXXX) listed on their registration greeting letter in their business tax account new registration packet, if you are a new registrant that has no return filing history with the Department of Revenue or you do not know the specified tax lines from your three most recently filed returns.

The Letter Identification Number (LXXXXXXXXXX) is listed in the upper right hand section, below the date, of the greeting letter that was sent to you when you first registered for a business account number (i.e., sales tax and withholding tax). This greeting letter lists the registrant’s business tax account number, business tax type, the reporting starting date, and the filing frequency. “WINPAS-atL678” is the form number listed in the lower left corner of this letter.

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Why does My Tax Account not accept the total tax due dollar amount from my prior return that I enter when I try to register?

Most often, if the dollar amount of the tax filed from one of the last three returns filed does not validate, it indicates that the prior New Registration Customer Access registration page was not completed properly. The dollar amount may have been correct, but business entity registration was incorrect.

The Department of Revenue (DOR)’s My Tax Account Customer Access Request registration is based on how the business taxpaying entity is registered with DOR and not necessarily the business itself. The business entity should be registered as the way they are listed on their business tax registration certificate.

Example: If Jane Doe is a sole proprietor, dba ABC Restaurant LLC (disregarded single member). DOR registers Jane Doe, as the taxpaying entity, for the business seller’s permit since she is filing her business income tax on a Schedule C with her personal IRS 1040 income tax return. Her Business Tax Registration (BTR) certificate lists Jane Doe as the real name for the business, and not the LLC name since she is not filing a corporate income tax return.

Another common My Tax Account registration issue is if you are attempting to register your business using your business FEIN, but our department may not have a record of what your FEIN is. You may have registered for your business tax registration before you had obtained your FEIN from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

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What are my business tax account and WTN numbers and where can I locate them in my records?

The Wisconsin Department of Revenue’s WINPAS integrated tax processing system assigns a unique 10-digit Wisconsin Tax Number (WTN) to each registered business entity or individual for income and/or business tax processing. The WTN is assigned to and identifies the taxpayer.

The WINPAS integrated tax processing system also assigns a 3-digit prefix number and a 2-digit suffix number resulting in a 15-digit tax account number for each tax type that a taxpayer is registered to report and pay. The 3-digit prefix number identifies each unique tax type that the taxpayer is registered for and the 2-digit suffix number identifies the number of the tax type registrations and the order in which each tax type was registered by the taxpayer.

Some of the many tax type prefix numbers include:

The 15-digit business tax account numbers (i.e., Sales, Withholding, Local Exposition, Premier Resort, and Rental Vehicle) are listed on the taxpayer’s electronic or preprinted paper tax reporting forms (i.e., Sales Tax Return - Form ST-12), on the taxpayer’s Business Tax Registration Certificate (BTR) which is mailed to the taxpayer every two years with a $10 renewal notice, and on any written correspondence that a taxpayer receives from the Department of Revenue.

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Should I register as an individual or as a business when creating My Tax Account profile on the Access Request registration page?

The Department of Revenue (DOR)’s My Tax Account Customer Access Request registration is based on how the business taxpaying entity is registered with DOR and not necessarily the business itself. The business entity should be registered as the way they are listed on their business tax registration certificate.

Example: If Jane Doe is a sole proprietor, dba ABC Restaurant LLC (disregarded single member). DOR registers Jane Doe, as the taxpaying entity, for the business seller’s permit since she is filing her business income tax on a Schedule C with her personal IRS 1040 income tax return. Her Business Tax Registration (BTR) certificate lists Jane Doe as the real name for the business, and not the LLC name since she is not filing a corporate income tax return.

When first logging on to My Tax Account with their individual WAMS ID, each customer must register to use My Tax Account by completing the “Customer Access Request” screen to create their own My Tax Account customer profile.

You may then login to My Tax Account to add access to business tax accounts with your customer profile. A confirmation e-mail is sent after you complete your “Customer Access Request” registration.

Third party preparers/accountants must select the “Add 3rd Party Account Access” registration option to request access to their client’s business tax accounts. The third party preparer/accountant may choose either Option A - to request access to their client’s business accounts that do have Internet access and/or Option B - to request access to their client’s business accounts that do not have access to the Internet.

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Can I have my accountant or tax practitioner register my business on My Tax Account for me?

Yes, if you do not have access to the Internet and an e-mail address, you may provide your accountant or tax practitioner with a completed and signed My Tax Account Authorization, Form A-777a. The My Tax Account Authorization, Form A-777a, provides your third part preparer or accountant with the authorization to register their access to your business tax information on My Tax Account.

In order for the taxpayer’s representative to register for, file returns and access information on behalf of the taxpayer, the Wisconsin Department of Revenue requires the taxpayer’s representative to hold a My Tax Account authorization form, or other written authorization, executed by the taxpayer. The use of Form A-777a is not mandatory, however, a substitute form must reflect the information that would be provided on Wisconsin Form A-777a. Form A-777a is for the third party preparer’s records and a copy should not be sent to the Wisconsin Department of Revenue, but must be available upon request.

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Can more than one logon ID access my account on My Tax Account?

Yes. Multiple individuals can create Logon ID profiles to access a business account. The business account customer with the “Master” logon ID has the authority to manage the web access rules for any additional customer logon IDs.

My Tax Account allows for three “Access Type” options for customer logon IDs:

Master – The first individual profile (owner/officer/designated employee) that requests access to a business account is automatically given the Master authority status and is granted “All Access” functionality to the account, with the additional ability to manage logon ID(s) access rules to the account. There can be only one logon ID with Master authority. All subsequently registered profiles will have Account Manager access level.

Note: To request the removal of the “Master” access level from an individual that is no longer employed by a business, the business owner/officer must contact the Department of Revenue via e-mail at: dormytaxaccounthelp@revenue.wi.gov or call (608) 266-2776.

Account Manager – Will have the same access authority as the Master with the exception of the ability to manage logon ID access rules.

View - Logon IDs with view only access will not be able to make changes, submit requests, file returns, or make payments.

My Tax Account also allows for a business account customer to grant third party tax preparer access to their account.

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What if I own or am employed by multiple businesses. Can I access all my businesses with one logon ID? Can I use the same E-Mail address?

You have two My Tax Account registration options as a business owner or a designated employee needing to have access to multiple separate businesses:

  1. You may select the “Add 3rd Party Account Access” registration option and then select the Option B, using the first business that you have already registered on My Tax Account. Although this option states that is for clients that do not have Internet access, this can also be used as an alternative method to register to “File and Pay” for your multiple business entities under one User ID. Enter the information required in the fields provided to request access to each of your multiple business entities. However, this registration method does not provide you the with “Master” (see below) access level for these additional business entities.

    Note: It is highly recommended that the owner/officer of each business entity obtain their own individual State issued WAMS User ID to register and access their own business on My Tax Account in order to be granted the “Master” access level (see below) for their separate business accounts. If you wish to obtain the Master level access to these additional businesses, please review option #2 below.

    Access Levels - As the first individual registering to access a business tax account on My Tax Account, your user ID will be granted the Master level authority. Any subsequent individual members or employees that register to access the business tax account will be granted the Account manager authority level.

    Master – The first individual profile (owner/officer/designated employee) that requests access to a business account is automatically given the Master authority status and is granted “All Access” functionality to the account, with the additional ability to manage logon ID(s) access rules to the account. The Master User ID has the ability to remove the online access to their business account from the other User IDs, in the event that these individuals have left employment with the business. There can be only one logon ID with Master authority. All subsequently registered profiles will have Account Manager access level. Account Manager – Will have the same access authority as the Master with the exception of the ability to manage logon ID access rules.

  2. You must register for a new State issued WAMS ID for yourself for each separate business to be able to register each business on My Tax Account. The first individual that registers a business is granted the Master access authority level for that the business. This will require a new unique e-mail address for each new WAMS ID. Most e-mail services allows you to create up to 5 different e-mail addresses or free e-mail addresses may be obtained from sites such as Hotmail; www.hotmail.com, Yahoo: www.yahoo.com, or Gmail: www.gmail.com.

    In order to utilize a single WAMS ID, you could register your first business My Tax Account Customer Access Request profile as the parent company business, with the Master access level and then request third party access to each of the other companies. After each additional business is registered separately on My Tax Account, you may then select the one main business (A) to use to request 3rd party access to the other businesses. You must then log back in to each separate business to grant permission for Business A’s 3rd party access request by selecting the My Profile option => Manage Logons button => select your user ID under the 3rd Party Logons bar and click on the Edit hyperlink to grant the access permission. OR;

    An individual that owns their own business and is also an employee of someone else’s business, should register their Customer Access Request profile as their own business (i.e., sole prop or non-sole prop) and then request third party access to “file and pay only” for their employer’s business using the same WAMS ID. Their employer would also need to register their own business on MTA in order to to grant you third party access on My Tax Account.

    Same E-Mail Address
    You may follow these steps, if you wish to retain your same e-mail address in creating your multiple WAMS IDs:

    1. You must apply for a new Department of Electronic Technology (DET) WAMS logon ID and password to complete a new My Tax Account registration for each of your businesses. Since each WAMS ID requires a unique e-mail address, you may either create a 2nd e-mail address or you may change the original e-mail address associated to your first WAMS ID to a fictitious one, in order to use your original address for the 2nd WAMS ID.

    2. Go to DET's WAMS Profile Management process at: https://on.wisconsin.gov/ICSLogin/?%22https://on.wisconsin.gov/WAMS/ProfileManagementController?RSAction=PM%22 There is also a Profile Management hyperlink below the My Tax Account login screen. Log into the Profile Management screen. Type in the number “1” in front of your e-mail address listed in your WAMS ID registration record. Scroll down and enter your password to submit. You have now changed your original address to a fictitious e-mail address for your first WAMS ID record. Repeat these steps for each business (i.e., change the 2nd business’ e-mail address by typing the #2 in front to make another fictitious e-mail, so that you can use the original e-mail address to create the 3rd WAMS ID for business 3 registration, and so on).

    Note: Each State issued DET WAMS ID requires a unique e-mail address. Using this same e-mail procedure is only performed to alter the original e-mail associated with the user ID and business that you had already completed it’s My Tax Account registration. This is done to free up your original e-mail address to use for completing the Self Registration for the next WAMS ID to register your next business in My Tax Account. The fictitious (1) e-mail address that you alter should not be used to register for a new WAMS ID, since you need a good e-mail address to receive your WAMS ID activation message. Rather than trying to perform the WAMS Profile Management work around procedure to use the same original e-mail, if this is too confusing, you may wish to create new free e-mail address accounts at www.Yahoo.com or www.Hotmail.com, for use in creating additional State issued WAMS IDs to register your multiple businesses in My Tax Account.

    3. Go back to the DET WAMS Self Registration page at: https://on.wisconsin.gov/, to create a new WAMS ID with your original e-mail address. Follow the steps to activate this new WAMS ID.

    4. You may now login to My Tax Account at: https://tap.revenue.wi.gov/ICSLogin/?°https://tap.revenue.wi.gov/, to create a new My Tax Account Access Request user profile. Please review the Quick Start Registration options to determine the correct way to register your business entity type. Quick Start is available at: www.revenue.wi.gov/faqs/my_tax_account/quick_start.html

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What are the two My Tax Account registration options for accessing tax accounts?

After creating your My Tax Account profile, you will be able to request access to business tax accounts by selecting one of the following options:

  1. Add Access to Account - Registration for a business tax account owner/officer or their designated employee(s) to access their own My Tax Account business tax accounts online.

    Business owner/employees may choose Option A to add access to their business tax accounts (i.e., sales or withholding tax) or Option B to add access to their Police and Fire Protection Fee account.

    Note:     Each business tax account owner/officer or designated employee must register as a My Tax Account user to access their business tax account online and/or to delegate authority for a third party preparer to access their account online.

  2. Add 3rd Party Account Access - third party accounting firm preparers must register as separate individual My Tax Account users to register and request authorization to access a business owner’s tax account online.

    Selecting the “Add 3rd Party Account Access” registration option, the 3rd party preparer/accountant may choose either Option A - to request access to their client’s business accounts that do have Internet access and/or Option B - to request access to their client’s business accounts that do not have access to the Internet.

     

    Selecting Option A, allows you to Enter up to 10 Taxpayer ID Types, Taxpayer ID’s, and the Legal Name for each of the client business tax accounts to which you require access. If you have more than 10 clients to add, you will be able to repeat this step later. Note: The client businesses that you are requesting access to must already be registered in My Tax Account with their own business tax accounts, or you will not be able to submit a 3rd party request.

     

    An e-mail request is sent to the My Tax Account business tax account owner to approve authorization for the third party preparer to access the owner’s tax account online. The business owner must then login to their business tax account My Profile settings on My Tax Account to grant an authorization access level for the third party of either: (a) “file,” (b) “pay,” (c) ”file and pay,” or (d) “view” only.

     

    Selecting Option B, allows the 3rd party preparer or accountant to add access to the business tax accounts of up to 5 of their clients that do not have access to the Internet and an e-mail address. If you have more than 5 clients to add, you will be able to repeat this step later. You must first provide qualifying information about your client’s tax filing and payment history. You may select the box labeled “No Prior Filing History,” if your client does not have a filing history. A letter of notification will be mailed to each client. Note: In order to pursue this access, the 3rd party preparer or accountant must have a Form A-777a on file that has been signed by their client. This form provides for their client’s approval to file returns and to access their tax account information through My Tax Account. The use of Form A-777a is not mandatory, however, a substitute form must reflect the information that would be provided on Wisconsin Form A-777a. Form A-777a is for the third party preparer’s records and a copy should not be sent to the Wisconsin Department of Revenue , but must be available upon request.

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What is the Police and Fire Protection Fee (PFPF) and how do I add access to the PFP fee to our My Tax Account?

If you are a communications provider or other retailer who sells prepaid wireless telecommunications plans, such as a card for a prepaid wireless account, you are required to register to collect and remit the newly enacted Police and Fire Protection Fee electronically.

To create a PFPF account, you may choose the My Tax Account “Add Access to an Account” registration option and then select option B in the pull down menu. By completing the preparer information and entering your password, a Police and Fire Protection Fee account will be set up for you.

3rd Party Access Registration
If a client has access to My Tax Account – The client must first add access to their PFPF account on MTA before a 3rd party can request access to it. Once the client adds their PFPF acccount on MTA, then the 3rd party preparer may request access to their client’s PFPF account using the Add 3rd Party Account Access Option A. After this 3rd party access is requested, the client must grant the 3rd party access from their My Profile page on their My Tax Account.

If a client does not have access to My Tax Account – A 3rd party preparer will not be able to access their client’s PFPF account on MTA on their own. The 3rd party must contact the Department of Revenue (DOR) to request DOR to manually create the PFPF account for their client on the department’s tax processing system. After a nightly update is performed to the My Tax Account website, the 3rd party may then request immediate access to their client’s PFPF account using the Add 3rd Party Account Access Option B.

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Can I use My Tax Account if I am a new business and haven’t filed a return or I don’t have a record of my last three returns?

Yes. If you are a new registrant that has no return filing history with the Department of Revenue or you do not know the specified tax lines from your three most recently filed returns, you may use the Letter Identification Number (LXXXXXXXXXX) listed on their registration greeting letter in their business tax account new registration packet. This greeting letter lists the registrant’s business tax account number, business tax type, the reporting starting date, and the filing frequency.

You may complete all other required registration information and use the letter identification number in the greeting letter in your new business tax registrant packet for authentication. “WINPAS –atL678” is the form number located in the lower left corner. The Letter ID# is located in the upper right hand section below the date. If you encounter any registration difficulty, you may call (608) 266-2776 to request registration assistance.

Note: If a 3rd party preparer is using the Add 3rd Party Account Access - Option B registration for a client that has no filing/paying history with the Department of Revenue, skip the Authorization Amount field and select the box labeled “No Prior Filing History.”

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Must I also be a registered user of My Tax Account, if I wish to have an accounting firm or tax practitioner file and/or pay my business taxes on My Tax Account? Why?

Yes. The business tax account owner must already be registered in My Tax Account with their own business tax accounts with “Master” level authorization in order to approve a request from a third party preparer to access their business tax account online, or they will not be able to submit a third party request . The business tax account owner must authorize an access level for the third party of either: (a) “file,” (b) “pay,” (c) “file and pay,” or (d) “view” only.

This also allows for the business tax account owner to be aware of the type of information that a third party preparer has access to and the activities that are performed.

Exception: You do not need to be a registered user of My Tax Account with your own business, for your accountant or 3rd Party Preparer to file/pay for you, if you do not have access to the Internet and an e-mail address. Your accountant or 3rd Party Preparer may select the “Add 3rd Party Account Access” registration Option B. This option allows the 3rd party preparer or accountant to add access to the business tax accounts of their clients that do not have access to the Internet and an e-mail address. They must first provide qualifying information about their client’s tax filing and payment history. They may select the box labeled “No Prior Filing History,” if their client does not have a filing history. A letter of notification will be mailed to each client. Note: In order to pursue this access, the 3rd party preparer or accountant must have a Form A-777a on file that has been signed by their client. This form provides for their client’s approval to file returns and to access their tax account information through My Tax Account. The use of Form A-777a is not mandatory, however, a substitute form must reflect the information that would be provided on Wisconsin Form A-777a. Form A-777a is for the third party preparer’s records and a copy should not be sent to the Wisconsin Department of Revenue, but must be available upon request.

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What if I am not a registrant in WINPAS and do not have a Wisconsin Tax Number (WTN)?

My Tax Account is an application associated with and linked to the Wisconsin Department of Revenue’s WINPAS integrated tax processing system. In order to be able to use My Tax Account, each user and business must be registered with a 10-digit Wisconsin Tax Number (WTN) to allow for My Tax Account system’s integration with the department’s WINPAS processing system.

Most Wisconsin residents are already registered with an individual 10-digit WTN for Wisconsin income tax filing. An out-of-state resident and/or business may need to register for a WTN. Please contact our Department of Revenue Customer Service to complete your WINPAS telephone registration at (608) 266-2776.

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I followed the steps to register but have not received an e-mail confirmation yet. Where is it?

A My Tax Account confirmation e-mail is sent after you complete your “Customer Access Request” registration to notify you that your customer profile account has been completed. You may log back into My Tax Account to access your business tax accounts immediately after your registration has been completed. Receipt of the confirmation e-mail is not required to log back into My Tax Account to access your account.

If you have a valid e-mail address associated with your My Tax Account profile, the confirmation will be sent to your e-mail. If you do not have a valid e-mail address listed, the confirmation will be mailed to the address of the taxpayer associated with your profile. Some ISP’s and spam filters have stopped e-mail from being delivered to the intended recipient. If you need additional assistance please contact the Department of Revenue via e-mail at: dormytaxaccounthelp@revenue.wi.gov or call (608) 266-2776.

Note:The State issued WAMS User ID Self Registration process does send you a required e-mail with instructions to follow in order to activate your new State WAMS ID. If you do not receive this WAMS ID activation e-mail you may review the WAMS ID & Passwords FAQS below.

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WAMS ID & Passwords

What is a WAMS ID and how do I obtain one?

The State’s Wisconsin Web Access Management System (WAMS) allows authorized individuals to access State Internet applications using the same means of identification for all State Web applications.   For example, a citizen can use the same Wisconsin User ID and password to acquire overweight trucking permits and file sales and use tax returns.

To register for the Department of Revenue’s My Tax Account, you must first create and activate your own individual unique Wisconsin Web Access Management System (WAMS) User ID assigned by the Wisconsin Department of Electronic Technology (DET) at the WAMS website.

  1. Go to https://on.wisconsin.gov and click on “self registration.”
  2. Read the Wisconsin Web Access Management System User Acceptance Agreement and if you agree, click on “accept.”
  3. Fill out the user information. NOTE: You must have an accessible and unique e-mail address to complete the self-registration process.
  4. Please visit the WAMS FAQS for additional information

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I already have a WAMS ID to use other State online applications. Can I use the same ID to register to use My Tax Account?

Yes. You can access My Tax Account using the same WAMS ID that you currently use for other online State and/or Department of Revenue applications.

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What other State agencies utilize a WAMS ID in their applications?

You may have obtained a WAMS ID, if you interact electronically with any of the following state agencies:

Department of Transportation, Department of Health and Family Services, Department of Natural Resources, Department of Public Instructions, Department of Workforce Development, and Department of Revenue (State and Local Finance).

The WAMS ID is also used to access the following Department of Revenue electronic filing applications:

Integrated Property Assessment System (IPAS),

M-P Forms, Manufacturing Personal Property,

M-R Forms, Manufacturing Real Estate,

M-L Forms, Leased, Rented, or Loaned Personal Property,

Real Estate Transfer (eRETR),

Tax Refund Interception Program (TRIP),

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What if I receive an error message in WAMS that states “E-mail: The e-mail address you entered has already been registered and cannot be used by another person.” What if I do not remember my WAMS ID?

This message indicates that you may have prior registration for a WAMS ID that was used to access another State Agency’s Internet application. Please see FAQ “What other State agencies utilize a WAMS ID in their applications?”

Note: The WAMS ID registration is administered by the Wisconsin Department of Electronic Technology (DET) and is then used to access the Department of Revenue's (DOR) My Tax Account website.

You may determine whether your E-mail address is associated to a WAMS ID by using the “Account Recovery” feature on the Wisconsin Department of Electronic Technology’s Wisconsin Web Access Management System (WAMS) website at: WAMS Account Recovery Wisconsin User ID Account Recovery allows you to provide either your Wisconsin User ID or the e-mail address associated with your account. You will need to provide the exact answer to your secret question AND provide a new password for your account.

When you enter this information, you will receive a second page that provides you with the User ID and the complete name associated on the account based on the E-mail address entered. You will also receive an E-mail confirmation of the recovery of your account and the password change.

If you encounter any difficulties in recovering your WAMS information, you may contact DOA's Help Wisconsin Support via the completion of an e-mail form at: WAMS Help Wisconsin Support. A DOA support agent may also contact you by telephone.  

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I followed the steps to self register for my new WAMS ID but have not received an e-mail to activate the WAMS ID yet. Where is it?

Once you complete your Wisconsin Department of Electronic Technology (DET) WAMS Self Registration for a logon Id and password, DET sends an e-mail to your e-mail address that includes a hyperlink to click on to direct you to a logon page to activate your new WAMS ID.

Note: The WAMS ID registration is administered by the Wisconsin Department of Electronic Technology (DET) and is then used to access the Department of Revenue's (DOR) My Tax Account website.

If you have a valid e-mail address associated with your My Tax Account profile, the confirmation will be sent to your e-mail address. Some ISP’s and spam filters have stopped e-mail from being delivered to the intended recipient. Please verify that e-mail blocking security settings did not stop the confirmation e-mail as a spam e-mail. This is the most common reason why you may not see this e-mail in your inbox.

If you encounter any difficulties in recovering their WAMS information, you may contact DET’s Help Wisconsin Support via the completion of an e-mail form at: https://on.wisconsin.gov/WAMS/Formattede-mail. A DET support agent may also contact you by telephone.

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What if I receive an error message when creating my WAMS ID because my address is out of country OR not matching the United States Postal Service data base?

Entries for the home residence address and/or home mailing address fields are optional when creating your WAMS ID. You may leave this information blank.

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Do I need a WAMS User ID if I am already registered with a Z-Logon ID to file sales tax returns on the Sales Internet Process (SIP)?

Yes, it will require a new registration for a State WAMS ID with the Department of Electronic Technology (DET). All My Tax Account users must register for their own individual WAMS ID. You will also be required to re-register to add access to all your SIP sales tax accounts on My Tax Account.

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How can I change the E-Mail address that is associated with my WAMS ID registration?

Your WAMS Logon ID and password registration is administered by the Wisconsin Department of Electronic Technology (DET) and is then used to access the Department of Revenue’s My Tax Account (MTA) website. The DET Web Access Management System (WAMS) allows authorized individuals to access State Internet applications using the same means of identification for all State Web applications, such as the Department of Revenue’s (DOR) new My Tax Account application.

You may change your WAMS logon Id profile information, including your e-mail address, using DET’s WAMS Profile Management process at: Profile Management. There is also a Profile Management hyperlink below the My Tax Account login screen.

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I received an “Information Alert – 403 Forbidden Status” error message when I attempt to login to My Tax Account. Why?

The WAMS ID registration is administered by the Wisconsin Department of Electronic Technology (DET) and is then used to access the Department of Revenue’s (DOR) My Tax Account website.

The 403 Error is a WAMS server validation error that indicates that your WAMS ID and/or password is invalid. You will need to recover your WAMS ID and password using DET’s Account Recovery application. To recover or verify if you have registered for a WAMS ID information you may enter your e-mail address and/or WAMS Logon ID into DET’s Account Recovery application which is available at: WAMS Account Recovery. Account Recovery is used to restore access to your account if you can not remember your password or your Wisconsin User ID. In order to recover your account, you will be required to answer your secret question that the recovery system will provide you. Their information will then be e-mailed to them immediately.

OR

You may not have yet activated your new WAMS ID. Once you had completed your WAMS Self Registration for a logon Id and password, DET sent an e-mail to your e-mail address that includes a hyperlink to click on to direct you to a login page to activate your new WAMS ID. You may not have found this e-mail or did not follow the steps to activate your WAMS ID to be able to login to the Department of Revenue’s My Tax Account website.

If you have a valid e-mail address associated with your WAMS ID, the confirmation will be sent to your e-mail address. If you do not have a valid e-mail address listed, the confirmation will not be delivered.

This most common reason that a user may not receive an e-mail is the users e-mail service’s Spam Control security. Some ISP’s and spam filters have stopped DET’s e-mail from being delivered to the intended recipient. Please verify that your e-mail blocking security settings did not stop the confirmation e-mail as a spam e-mail.

If he cannot locate this e-mail or you encounter any difficulties in recovering your WAMS information, you may contact DET’s Help Wisconsin Support via the completion of an e-mail form at: Help Wisconsin Support. A DET support agent may also contact him by telephone.

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Account Access

How do I access My Tax Account?

My Tax Account can be accessed at: https://tap.revenue.wi.gov. Taxpayers may also navigate to My Tax Account via the link from the Department of Revenue’s Home page at: www.revenue.wi.gov. From this home page, click on the “Login” hyperlink listed directly under the My Tax Account words. We recommend that you save the login page web address as a Favorite or Bookmark addre

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What are the access levels that I can assign to my employee and/or third party tax preparer when I grant them permission to access my account online?

My Tax Account access level options are:

All Access - This access level allows the user the ability to file returns, make payments, submit requests (close/reactivate account, change mailing address, change DBA name, request filing extensions, and installment agreements), modify information, and manage Logon ID access to the account. Note: All Access level is not available for third party preparer access.

File - User will have view access to everything, as well as ability to file returns and request filing extensions.

File & Pay - User will have view access to everything, as well as ability to make payments, file returns, request filing extensions, and installment agreements.

Pay - User will have view access to everything, as well as ability to make payments and request installment agreements.

View - User will only be able to view account information, but will not be able to submit requests or modify information.

No Access - Individual will not be able to access and view account information.

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I have multiple tax accounts. Can I access all of my tax accounts in My Tax Account?

Once you have established a My Tax Account login ID you can add access to all the business accounts (i.e., Sales and Use, Local Exposition, Premier Resort, Rental Vehicle, and/or Withholding) associated with the same taxpayer to your My Tax Account profile. After logging in select the “Add Access to Account” link from the My Tax Account Customer home page. You will be required to verify the following information for the business tax type that you wish to request access to first.

Each owner, officer, or designated employee that successfully requests access to one business tax account (i.e. Sales, Withholding, etc.) will automatically receive access to all business tax accounts for the business. The individual with the “Master” level authority for the business may then limit access to specific tax account types after receiving the My Tax Account Access Request e-mail.

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As a third party tax preparer, can I access all my client’s business tax accounts with my individual WAMS ID?

Yes. Once you have established a My Tax Account login ID you can add access to the business tax accounts for all your clients under your My Tax Account profile. After logging in select the “Add Third Party Account Access” link from your My Tax Account Home page.

Selecting the “Add 3rd Party Account Access” registration option, the 3rd party preparer/accountant may choose either Option A - to request access to their client’s business accounts that do have Internet access and/or Option B - to request access to their client’s business accounts that do not have access to the Internet.

Selecting Option A, allows you to Enter up to 10 Taxpayer ID Types, Taxpayer ID’s, and the Legal Name for each of the client business tax accounts to which you require access. If you have more than 10 clients to add, you will be able to repeat this step later. You will be required to enter the following information each time you add another account to your My Tax Account profile.

Note: The client businesses that you are requesting access to must already be registered in My Tax Account with their own business tax accounts, or you will not be able to submit a 3rd party request.

An e-mail request is sent to the My Tax Account business tax account owner to approve authorization for the third party preparer to access the owner’s tax account online. The business owner must then login to their business tax account My Profile settings on My Tax Account to grant an authorization access level for the third party of either: (a) “file”, (b) “pay”, (c) ”file and pay”, or (d) “view” only.

Selecting Option B, allows the 3rd party preparer or accountant to add access to the business tax accounts of up to 5 of their clients that do not have access to the Internet and an e-mail address. If you have more than 5 clients to add, you will be able to repeat this step later. You must first provide qualifying information about your client’s tax filing and payment history. You may select the box labeled “No Prior Filing History,” if your client does not have a filing history. A letter of notification will be mailed to each client. Note: In order to pursue this access, the 3rd party preparer or accountant must have a Form A-777a on file that has been signed by their client. This form provides for their client’s approval to file returns and to access their tax account information through My Tax Account. The use of Form A-777a is not mandatory, however, a substitute form must reflect the information that would be provided on Wisconsin Form A-777a. Form A-777a is for the third party preparer’s records and a copy should not be sent to the Wisconsin Department of Revenue, but must be available upon request.

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Can my accountant or 3rd party preparer electronically file my business tax returns on My Tax Account, if my business does not have Internet access?

Yes. Your accountant or 3rd party preparer can request access to your business tax accounts if your business does not have access to the Internet and your business is not registered to use My Tax Account. In order to pursue this access, the 3rd party preparer or accountant must have a Form A-777a on file that has been signed by their client. This form provides for their client’s approval to file returns and to access tax account information through My Tax Account.

Option B of the Add 3rd Party Account Access registration option allows the 3rd party preparer or accountant to add access to the business tax accounts of their clients that do not have access to the Internet and an e-mail address, after providing the qualifying information about their client’s tax filing and paying history.

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Can more than one logon ID access my account on My Tax Account?

Yes. Multiple individuals can create Logon ID profiles to access a business account. The business account customer with the “Master” logon ID has the authority to manage the web access rules for any additional customer logon IDs.

My Tax Account allows for three “Access Type” options for customer logon IDs:

Master - The first individual profile (owner/officer/designated employee) that requests access to a business account is automatically given the Master authority status and is granted “All Access” functionality to the account, with the additional ability to manage logon ID(s) access rules to the account. There can be only one logon ID with Master authority. All subsequently registered profiles will have Account Manager access level.

Note: To request the removal of the “Master” access level from an individual that is no longer employed by a business, the business owner/officer must contact the Department of Revenue via e-mail at: dormytaxaccounthelp@revenue.wi.gov or call (608) 266-2776.

Account Manager - Will have the same access authority as the Master with the exception of the ability to manage logon ID access rules.

View - Logon IDs with view only access will not be able to make changes, submit requests, file returns, or make payments.

My Tax Account also allows for a business account customer to grant third party tax preparer access to their account.

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What if I own or am employed by multiple businesses. Can I access all my businesses with one logon ID? Can I use the same E-Mail address?

You have two My Tax Account registration options as a business owner or a designated employee needing to have access to multiple separate businesses:

  1. You may select the “Add 3rd Party Account Access” registration option and then select the Option B, using the first business that you have already registered on My Tax Account. Although this option states that is for clients that do not have Internet access, this can also be used as an alternative method to register to “File and Pay” for your multiple business entities under one User ID. Enter the information required in the fields provided to request access to each of your multiple business entities. However, this registration method does not provide you the with “Master” (see below) access level for these additional business entities.

    Note: It is highly recommended that the owner/officer of each business entity obtain their own individual State issued WAMS User ID to register and access their own business on My Tax Account in order to be granted the “Master” access level (see below) for their separate business accounts. If you wish to obtain the Master level access to these additional businesses, please review option #2 below.

    Access Levels - As the first individual registering to access a business tax account on My Tax Account, your user ID will be granted the Master level authority. Any subsequent individual members or employees that register to access the business tax account will be granted the Account manager authority level.

    Master – The first individual profile (owner/officer/designated employee) that requests access to a business account is automatically given the Master authority status and is granted “All Access” functionality to the account, with the additional ability to manage logon ID(s) access rules to the account. The Master User ID has the ability to remove the online access to their business account from the other User IDs, in the event that these individuals have left employment with the business. There can be only one logon ID with Master authority. All subsequently registered profiles will have Account Manager access level. Account Manager – Will have the same access authority as the Master with the exception of the ability to manage logon ID access rules.

  2. You must register for a new State issued WAMS ID for yourself for each separate business to be able to register each business on My Tax Account. The first individual that registers a business is granted the Master access authority level for that the business. This will require a new unique e-mail address for each new WAMS ID. Most e-mail services allows you to create up to 5 different e-mail addresses or free e-mail addresses may be obtained from sites such as Hotmail; www.hotmail.com, Yahoo: www.yahoo.com, or Gmail: www.gmail.com.

    In order to utilize a single WAMS ID, you could register your first business My Tax Account Customer Access Request profile as the parent company business, with the Master access level and then request third party access to each of the other companies. After each additional business is registered separately on My Tax Account, you may then select the one main business (A) to use to request 3rd party access to the other businesses. You must then log back in to each separate business to grant permission for Business A’s 3rd party access request by selecting the My Profile option => Manage Logons button => select your user ID under the 3rd Party Logons bar and click on the Edit hyperlink to grant the access permission. OR;

    An individual that owns their own business and is also an employee of someone else’s business, should register their Customer Access Request profile as their own business (i.e., sole prop or non-sole prop) and then request third party access to “file and pay only” for their employer’s business using the same WAMS ID. Their employer would also need to register their own business on MTA in order to to grant you third party access on My Tax Account.

    Same E-Mail Address
    You may follow these steps, if you wish to retain your same e-mail address in creating your multiple WAMS IDs:

    1. You must apply for a new Department of Electronic Technology (DET) WAMS logon ID and password to complete a new My Tax Account registration for each of your businesses. Since each WAMS ID requires a unique e-mail address, you may either create a 2nd e-mail address or you may change the original e-mail address associated to your first WAMS ID to a fictitious one, in order to use your original address for the 2nd WAMS ID.

    2. Go to DET’s WAMS Profile Management process at: https://on.wisconsin.gov/ICSLogin/?%22https://on.wisconsin.gov/WAMS/ProfileManagementController?RSAction=PM%22 There is also a Profile Management hyperlink below the My Tax Account login screen. Log into the Profile Management screen. Type in the number “1” in front of your e-mail address listed in your WAMS ID registration record. Scroll down and enter your password to submit. You have now changed your original address to a fictitious e-mail address for your first WAMS ID record. Repeat these steps for each business (i.e., change the 2nd business’ e-mail address by typing the #2 in front to make another fictitious e-mail, so that you can use the original e-mail address to create the 3rd WAMS ID for business 3 registration, and so on).

    Note: Each State issued DET WAMS ID requires a unique e-mail address. Using this same e-mail procedure is only performed to alter the original e-mail associated with the user ID and business that you had already completed it’s My Tax Account registration. This is done to free up your original e-mail address to use for completing the Self Registration for the next WAMS ID to register your next business in My Tax Account. The fictitious (1) e-mail address that you alter should not be used to register for a new WAMS ID, since you need a good e-mail address to receive your WAMS ID activation message. Rather than trying to perform the WAMS Profile Management work around procedure to use the same original e-mail, if this is too confusing, you may wish to create new free e-mail address accounts at www.Yahoo.com or www.Hotmail.com, for use in creating additional State issued WAMS IDs to register your multiple businesses in My Tax Account.

    3. Go back to the DET WAMS Self Registration page at: https://on.wisconsin.gov/, to create a new WAMS ID with your original e-mail address. Follow the steps to activate this new WAMS ID.

    4. You may now login to My Tax Account at: https://tap.revenue.wi.gov/ICSLogin/?°https://tap.revenue.wi.gov/, to create a new My Tax Account Access Request user profile. Please review the Quick Start Registration options to determine the correct way to register your business entity type. Quick Start is available at: www.revenue.wi.gov/faqs/my_tax_account/quick_start.html

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How do I grant an accounting firm tax preparer access to My Tax Account business account?

A business account owner/officer must register for their own individual WAMS User ID to register for My Tax Account to access their own account online.

If you would like to add or remove this individual’s access to your business tax accounts, please follow these steps:

  1. Access My Tax Account and enter your Logon ID and Password
  2. Click on the My Profile link from the Home Page
  3. Click on the Manage Login button
  4. Select the third Party Logon ID that you would like to activate or inactivate
  5. Click on the Edit link
  6. Change the access status to “Yes” or “No.”
  7. Change the access level to “File,” “Pay,” “File & Pay” or “View.”

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FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE
Customer Service Bureau
Mail Stop 5-77
P.O. Box 8949
Madison, WI 53708-8949
Phone: (608) 261-5338
Fax: (608) 267-1030
E-Mail Additional Questions

Last updated September 24, 2009