​​Under 2007 Wisconsin Act 176, information obtained by a tax preparer or entity that employs tax preparers in the course of preparing a tax return may not be disclosed to another person without a signed consent from the client. A penalty is provided for an unauthorized disclosure of information.

For purposes of this provision, "tax preparer" does not include a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or CPA firm licensed in Wisconsin, an attorney who is licensed to practice law in Wisconsin, or an individual who is employed by a corporate trustee, bank, or trust company who is authorized to provide fiduciary services under state or federal law.

2007 Wisconsin Act 176 took effect April 10, 2008, and is administered by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection (DATCP). Contact information for DATCP is available on their website. The text of Act 176 is available at http://www.legis.state.wi.us/2007/data/acts/07Act176.pdf. (Note: 2007 Act 176 as enacted, created s. 100.55. It has since been renumbered by the Legislative Reference Bureau to s. 100.57.)

July 6, 2012