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Wisconsin Department of Revenue

System Requirements

  1. What type of hardware and software is required to use Wisconsin e-file?
  2. I cannot download/install Adobe Reader 9.0. What can I do?
  3. I know I have downloaded and installed Adobe Reader 9.0, but I keep getting an error message. What should I do?
  4. Why do I get a Security Warning when I open my return for the first time?
  5. Why do I get a Security Warning when I try to submit my return?
  6. Can I print or save a copy of my return if I use Wisconsin e-file?
  7. Is Wisconsin e-file secure?
  8. Does Wisconsin e-file limit the amount of time I have to complete and file my tax return?
  9. How do I move through/navigate Wisconsin e-file?
  10. What should I do when I try to submit my return and I get a message that says: “Error-Your return submission was not successful.”?
  11. Who do I contact if I have a question while using Wisconsin e-file?
  1. What type of hardware and software is required to use Wisconsin e-file?

    Adobe Acrobat Reader 9 is required to use Wisconsin e-file. You can download Adobe Reader 9 here for free.
    Download times will vary based on Internet connection speed. Adobe Reader 9 has certain system requirements - you can review them here.

  2. I cannot download/install Adobe Reader 9.0. What can I do?

    First, check your system requirements to see if your computer is capable of supporting Adobe Reader 9.0.

    If your computer meets the system requirements, please call the Adobe customer service telephone number at 1-800-833-6687 between the hours of 8:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m., Monday-Friday. When calling this number, select the following options to obtain customer assistance:

    Select # 3: Downloading/Installing Adobe products.
    Select # 2: For Adobe Reader.
    NOTE: Adobe has assured us that Wisconsin customers will receive customer assistance free of charge. Please do not agree to pay for this service.

    You may also receive free assistance with downloads/installation from Adobe at www.adobe.com/go/suportportal.

    If your computer doesn't meet the system requirements, other e-filing options are available through:
    VITA/TCE sites
    Free File Alliance
    Web-based filing
    Off-the-Shelf or Downloaded Software
    Find a Tax Preparer

  3. I know I have downloaded and installed Adobe Reader 9.0, but I keep getting an error message. What should I do?

    If you keep getting a message similar to one of these messages: "This file appears to use a new format that this version of Acrobat does not support. It may not open or display correctly. Adobe recommends that you upgrade to the latest version of our Acrobat products. Please visit our product site at http://www.adobe.com/acrobat" OR "To view the full contents of this document, you need a later version of the PDF viewer. You can upgrade to the latest version of Adobe Reader from www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html. For further support, go to www.adobe.com/support/products/acrreader", you should double click on the Adobe9Test.pdf icon below.

    • If you receive the message: "You need to upgrade your version of adobe in order to use WI e-File", you should refer to question number 2, "I cannot download/install Adobe Reader 9.0. What should I do?".
    • If you receive the message: "Congratulations! You have Adobe 9 as required for WI e-File", go to Step 1 and try this procedure (for Windows only).

    Double click on the icon below:
    Adobe 9 Test PDF file

    Step 1. Right click on the form you need. Then click "Save Target As..." (see image below).

    Save Target As

    Step 2. A window will appear prompting you to save or open the form (see image below). Save the form to your computer (save is highlighted in red in image).

    Save As Dialogue Box

    Step 3. After the download completes, you will have the option to open the form or close the download box. Choose "Close" (see image below).

    Download Complete/Close

    Step 4. Go to your desktop (or the location on your computer where you have the Adobe Reader 9 icon). The Adobe Reader 9 icon looks like the image below.

    Adobe Reader 9 Icon

    Step 5. Double click on this icon to open it, you will get a screen that looks like the image below. Click "File", then "Open" on this screen.

    Adobe Reader File/Open

    Step 6. Navigate/move to the form you saved using the box that pops up (see image below). Highlight the form with your mouse and either double click on it or click Open (highlighted in red in the image below):

    Highlight Document to Open

    Step 7. After you take these steps, you have opened your tax form directly into Adobe Reader 9. The messages you previously received should be gone.

  4. Why do I get a Security Warning when I open my return for the first time?

    As a default function of Adobe Acrobat Reader, you will be warned any time that a PDF attempts to connect to the Internet. When you open the return you are intending to file for the first time, the PDF checks to make sure you have the most current version available. A warning message like the one below may appear on your screen to indicate that this check is occurring. Click (circled in red in the image below) to begin filling in your return.

  5. Why do I get a Security Warning when I try to submit my return?

    As a default function of Adobe Acrobat Reader, you will be warned any time that a PDF attempts to connect to the Internet. When you click the button on your Wisconsin e-file form, warning messages like the ones in the images below may appear on your screen. Click (circled in red in the images below) on each of these warnings to submit your return.

  6. Can I print or save a copy of my return if I use Wisconsin e-file?

    Yes. When you have completed filing your return, you will be given a confirmation number that verifies you have filed your return. Along with your confirmation number, you will also be shown your completed Wisconsin individual income tax return as filed. At this point, you will be given the opportunity to print your return for your records.

    You can choose to save your return in a portable document format (PDF) to your PC or other storage device (disk, CD, etc.). Simply select "File" and "Save As" before you closeout of Wisconsin e-file.

    If an electronic payment is made by credit card, you will be given a separate confirmation number for that transaction. You will be given an opportunity to print this confirmation number for your records as well.

    We recommend you keep your return and confirmation for four years.

  7. Is Wisconsin e-file secure?

    Yes, it's secure. The Wisconsin Department of Revenue is using the latest Internet security technology to secure the transactions. No one sees your tax information except you and the Wisconsin Department of Revenue. There are no worries about delivery or paper shuffling or inappropriate people seeing your personal or financial information.

    Security Protocols:

    Wisconsin e-file has many layers of security. This includes processes and procedures to stop unauthorized access, validate appropriate participants, and ensure the integrity of the system. All transmissions utilizing Wisconsin e-file use Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) technology, which is the industry-standard protocol for secure Web-based communications.

    Encryption:

    The Wisconsin e-file application uses 128-bit SSL encryption on data passing from the user to the application. This is the highest level of encryption generally available today. The information cannot be read without the specific decryption key.

  8. Does Wisconsin e-file limit the amount of time I have to complete and file my tax return?

    No. There is no limit. If you cannot complete your tax return, you can choose to save your return in a portable document format (PDF) to your PC or other storage device (disk, CD, etc.). Simply select "File" and "Save As" while using Wisconsin e-file. If you don’t choose to save your return to your PC or other storage device and you close out of Wisconsin e-file, your return will be lost and you will need to start your filing over.

  9. How do I move through/navigate Wisconsin e-file?

    You can move through and to your desired forms/fields within Wisconsin e-file by:

    • using your scroll bar to move from top to bottom or bottom to top of each page;
    • using Tab on your keyboard to go to the next field;
    • clicking your mouse pointer to a select field; or
    • using the arrow buttons on the toolbar to go from page to page.

  10. What should I do when I try to submit my return and I get a message that says: "Error-Your return submission was not successful."?

    If you get this message, you should make sure you are connected to the Internet. You must be connected to the Internet to submit your individual income tax return electronically through Wisconsin e-file.

    If you are connected to the Internet, you should save your return in a portable document format (PDF) to your PC or other storage device (disk, CD, etc.). Simply select "File" and "Save As" before you close out of Wisconsin e-file. You should try submitting your return at a later time.

    If you are having problems submitting your return, it could be that Wisconsin e-file is temporarily not available. However, if the problem persists, you should e-mail the Wisconsin Department of Revenue Customer Service at efiling@revenue.wi.gov (include your name and day time phone number) or contact us at 608-264-6886 during normal business hours 7:45 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday.

  11. Who do I contact if I have a question while using Wisconsin e-file?

    You can e-mail your questions to efiling@revenue.wi.gov or you may also call Customer Service at 608-264-6886. Our normal taxpayer assistance hours are 7:45 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. You may visit one of our local Wisconsin Department of Revenue offices.

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE
Electronic Filing Unit
Mail Stop 5-77
P.O. Box 8949
Madison, WI 53708-8949
Phone: (608) 264-6886
Fax: (608) 264-7776
E-Mail Additional Questions

Last updated March 13, 2009