Event Operators

​​An event operator:

• Arranges, organizes, promotes, or sponsors a temporary event.
• Can be an individual, association, partnership, corporation, non-profit organization or other business entity.
• May also be referred to as an organizer, coordinator, exhibitor, or decorator.
• May or may not be the owner of the property or premises where the temporary event takes place.
• May be a seller at the temporary event.

Requirements: The event operator must report the following information to the department within 10 days of the close of each event.

• Operator Information:
• Legal name
• Address
• Contact name
• Telephone
• Email address
  
  
• Event Information
• Event name
• Date or dates of the event
• Location
  
  
• Event Seller Information (For each seller):
• Legal name
• Business name
• Address
• Telephone number
• Wisconsin seller's permit number

Obtaining Required Information: The operator can use the method of their choice to get the required information from each seller. The event operator can require each seller to complete Form S-240, Wisconsin Temporary Event Operator and Seller Information or the substitute form of their choice.

If a seller provides incomplete information or refuses to provide information, the event operator is required to submit as much of the required seller information as they have available.

Submitting Event Reports: Event operators should send their report within 10 days of the close of the event either electronically through the department's secure file transmission application or by U.S. mail. Do not email event reports to maintain the confidentiality of seller information.

• Secure File Transmission Instructions
• U.S. mail--Send completed S-240's or substitute forms to:
  
  WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE
  Temporary Events Program
  P.O. Box 8901
  Madison, WI 53708-8901

Failure to Submit Required Reports: If an event operator fails to send the event report by the due date, a $200 penalty for the first failure and $500 for each subsequent failure may be billed to the event operator.

Other Resources:

• Publication 228, Temporary Events
• Common Questions
• Event Sellers​
• Transmitting Reports Electronically
• Form S-240, Temporary Event Operator and Seller Information
• Form S-240a Temporary Event Operator and Seller Information (Excel version)

Applicable Laws and Rules

This document provides statements or interpretations of the following laws and regulations enacted​​ as of October 8, 2020: Section 73.03(38), Wis. Stats., and secs. Tax 11.35, 11.53, 11.535 and 11.54, Wis. Adm. Code.

Laws enacted and in effect after October 8, 2020, new administrative rules, and court decisions may change the interpretations in this document. Guidance issued prior to October 8, 2020, that is contrary to the information in this document is superseded by this document, pursuant to sec. 73.16(2)(a), Wis. Stats.