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Wisconsin Department of Revenue

 Electronic Filing

Paying Your Taxes or Receiving Your Refund

  1. Can I use direct deposit?
  2. If I electronically file my income tax return, how long will it take to get my refund?
  3. If I filed electronically but did not receive my refund as quickly as I expected to, what might be the cause of the delay?
  4. How do I find out about my refund?
  5. If I electronically file my return early and I owe taxes, when do I have to pay?
  6. If I electronically file my tax return on the due date and I owe taxes, when is the payment due?
  7. Can I pay my taxes by credit card?
  8. Can I use direct debit to pay my income taxes?
  9. Can I use electronic funds transfer to pay my taxes?
  10. If I have a balance due on my electronically filed return, where do I send the payment?

  1. Can I use direct deposit?

    Yes. If you use Wisconsin e-file, a tax professional or an online software product, you may have your refund direct deposited. Refunds associated with electronically filed returns are usually received in the taxpayer's bank account within one week. If your refund is delayed for any of the reasons listed in the answer to Question 3, direct deposit is still possible.

  2. If I electronically file my income tax return, how long will it take to get my refund?

    If you select the direct deposit option, you could receive your refund in as few as five business days compared to several weeks if filing on paper. If you choose to receive a paper check, the check will usually be issued within two weeks.

  3. If I filed electronically but did not receive my refund as quickly as I expected to, what might be the cause of the delay?

    Certain conditions will delay refunds and may change refund amounts. This happens with refunds from electronically filed returns as well as with refunds from paper returns. Some possible reasons for refund delays:

    • The proper Homestead Credit attachments were not mailed timely.
    • The taxpayer or spouse owes delinquent Wisconsin taxes. *
    • The taxpayer or spouse owes a debt to another Wisconsin state agency. *
    • The taxpayer or spouse owes a debt to counties or municipalities in Wisconsin. *
    • The taxpayer or spouse owes a debt to the Internal Revenue Service. *
    • The estimated tax payments claimed on the return do not match the estimated tax payments recorded on the Department of Revenue estimated tax file.
    • The refund or balance due amount is adjusted when the electronic return is processed.
    • The return acknowledgment contained one or more error codes.
    • The return must be reviewed before the refund can be issued. Returns with earned income credit or homestead credit may be reviewed.

    * To avoid delays, clear your debts before electronically filing your return.

  4. How do I find out about my refund?

    5. You can check on your refund online at Refund Inquiry. You will need the tax year, your social security number and amount of your expected refund. Otherwise, you can call the Refund Inquiry Help Line at (608) 266-8100 in Madison, (414) 227-4907 in Milwaukee or toll-free at 1(866) 947-7363. This is an automated system. Do not call the system more than once a week. To use the system, you must know your social security number and the expected amount of refund. If after three weeks you still do not have your refund, call the Customer Service Line at (608) 266-2772.

  5. If I electronically file my return early and I owe taxes, when do I have to pay?

    You can file your income tax return as early as you like and, if you owe taxes, pay your bill on or before April 15, 2009. You can choose Direct Debit and have the amount owed withdrawn directly from your checking or savings account on the day you specify.

  6. If I electronically file my tax return on the due date and I owe taxes, when is the payment due?

    You can choose Direct Debit and have the amount owed withdrawn directly from your checking or savings account on the due date. Otherwise, you must mail your payment to the Department in an envelope postmarked on the due date to avoid interest and delinquent tax collection fees.

  7. Can I pay my income taxes by credit card?

    Yes. The Wisconsin Department of Revenue does allow taxpayers to pay state income taxes by credit card. For more information, see Credit Card Payments.

  8. Can I use direct debit to pay my income taxes?

    Yes. The Department of Revenue does allow taxpayers to pay state income taxes by direct debit. For more information, see Direct Debit Withdrawals.

  9. Can I use electronic funds transfer to pay my taxes?

    Yes. You can pay most taxes through the electronic funds transfer method, but you must pre-register before you attempt to make a payment. See Electronic Funds Transfer for registration information. You can use My Tax Account to pay any amount due for the following business tax types: sales and use, premier resort, local exposition center, rental vehicle and withholding.

  10. If I have a balance due on my electronically filed return, where do I send the payment?

    For returns prepared using Wisconsin e-file, a tax preparer, or an online software product if you don't choose direct debit and you want to mail a paper check, use the electronic payment voucher (Form EPV) that is provided by the software. The mailing address is listed on the Form EPV.

     

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE
Electronic Filing Unit
P.O. Box 8949
Madison, WI 53708-8949
Income Phone: (608) 264-6886
Fax: (608) 266-9829
E-Mail Additional Questions

Last updated April 28, 2009