Enlarge image | State of Wisconsin Important Rate Changes! Department of Revenue • Racine County tax begins April 1, 2025 • Manitowoc County tax begins January 1, 2025 • Milwaukee County tax increases January 1, 2024 • City of Milwaukee tax begins January 1, 2024 • Menominee County tax begins April 1, 2020 • Baseball stadium district tax ends March 31, 2020 • Outagamie County tax begins January 1, 2020 • Calumet County tax begins April 1, 2018 • Brown County tax begins January 1, 2018 • Kewaunee County tax begins April 1, 2017 • Sheboygan County tax begins January 1, 2017 See the Sales Tax Rate Chart for more information. Filing Claims for Refund of Sales or Use Tax Includes information on: • Who may file claims for refund • Which form to use • Time limitations for filing • Interest • Penalties Publication 216 (10/12) Printed on Recycled Paper |
Enlarge image | Table of Contents PAGE I. INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................................1 II. WHICH SALES ARE SUBJECT TO SALES AND USE TAXES?.................................................1 III. WHO MAY FILE CLAIMS FOR REFUND? ...................................................................................1 A. Sellers ...............................................................................................................................................1 B. Buyers ..............................................................................................................................................2 IV. HOW TO FILE A CLAIM ..................................................................................................................3 A. Sellers ...............................................................................................................................................3 B. Buyers ..............................................................................................................................................3 V. TIME LIMITATIONS FOR FILING ................................................................................................4 A. Sellers ...............................................................................................................................................5 B. Buyers ..............................................................................................................................................7 VI. INTEREST .........................................................................................................................................10 A. Refunded to Seller..........................................................................................................................10 B. Refunded to Buyer .........................................................................................................................10 VII. OTHER ............................................................................................................................................... 11 A. Buyer and Seller May Not Both Obtain Refunds of Tax ............................................................... 11 B. Offsetting a Refund Against Any Debts ......................................................................................... 11 C. Department of Revenue to Act on Claim ....................................................................................... 11 D. Seller to Refund Tax and Interest to Buyers or the Department of Revenue ................................. 11 VIII. PENALTIES .......................................................................................................................................12 A. Incorrect Claim for Refund ............................................................................................................12 B. Failure to Return Tax to Buyer or Department ..............................................................................12 C. Failure to Produce Records ............................................................................................................12 IX. SPECIAL SITUATIONS NOT REQUIRING THE SELLER TO FILE A CLAIM FOR REFUND .............................................................................................................................................12 A. Sale Returns and Price Adjustments ..............................................................................................12 B. Bad Debts .......................................................................................................................................13 C. Tax Paid on Purchase of Leased Property ......................................................................................14 D. Tax-Paid Purchases Resold ............................................................................................................14 X. IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS............................................................................................................14 APPENDIX Form S-220, Form BCR, Buyer's Claim for Refund of Wisconsin State, County and Stadium Sales Taxes Form S-220a, Schedule P, Attachment to Form BCR, Buyer's Claim for Refund of Wisconsin State, County and Stadium Sales Taxes |
Enlarge image | Filing Claims for Refund of Sales or Use Tax I. INTRODUCTION II. WHICH SALES ARE SUBJECT TO SALES AND USE TAXES? This publication explains who may file a claim for re- fund of Wisconsin state, county, and stadium sales or Sales, licenses, leases, and rentals of the following use tax. It also includes information relating to forms, property, items, and goods are subject to the 5% Wis- time limitations for filing, interest, and penalties. consin state sales tax, unless an exemption applies: A. Tangible personal property; CAUTION B. Coins or stamps of the United States that are sold, The information in this publication reflects the po- licensed, leased, rented, or traded as collector’s sitions of the Wisconsin Department of Revenue of items above their face value; laws enacted by the Wisconsin Legislature and in effect as of October 1, 2012. Laws enacted and in C. Leased tangible personal property that is affixed to effect after that date, new administrative rules, and real property, if the lessor has the right to remove court decisions may change the interpretations in the leased property upon breach or termination of this publication. the lease agreement, unless the lessor of the leased property is also the lessor of the real property to which the leased property is affixed. For purposes of this publication, the following defini- tions apply: D. Specified digital goods, additional digital goods, and digital codes. These digital goods are character- “Seller” means a person selling, licensing, leasing, or ized by the fact that they are transferred renting the property, items, or goods listed in Part II.A., electronically to the purchaser (i.e., accessed or ob- B., C., and D., or selling, performing, or furnishing ser- tained by the purchaser by means other than vices. Note: In certain situations, the term may include tangible storage media). “Specified digital goods” a certified service provider when acting on behalf of a means “digital audio works,” “digital audiovisual seller with respect to the seller’s sales and use tax func- works,” and “digital books.” “Additional digital tions. goods” means greeting cards, finished artwork, pe- riodicals, video or electronic games, and “Buyer” means a person who acquires possession, own- newspapers or other news or information products. ership, title, enjoyment, or use the property, items, or See Publication 240 for a description of the prod- goods listed in Parts II.A., B., C., and D. or services for ucts that are included. a consideration. In addition, certain services are subject to the 5% A person may be a buyer in some transactions and a Wisconsin state sales tax. For a list of taxable ser- seller in other transactions. vices, see Part X.B. of Publication 201. “Claim for refund,” as used in this publication, refers to a written request for a refund of sales or use taxes by a III. WHO MAY FILE CLAIMS FOR buyer or seller pursuant to secs. 77.59(4) or (8m), Wis. REFUND? Stats. (2009-10). A. Sellers Note: In certain situations, a seller is allowed to make adjustments to their current sales and use tax return ra- A seller who paid sales or use taxes in error to the De- ther than file a claim for refund for sales and use taxes partment of Revenue may file a claim for refund. paid with returns previously filed. See Part IX. on page 12 for additional information. Caution: If a seller is refunded tax and interest by the Department of Revenue for tax collected from a buyer, the seller must return the tax and interest to the buyer or to the Department of Revenue within 1 |
Enlarge image | Publication 216 90 days after the date of the refund or offset. Fail- Important: For conditions (b), (c), and (d) ure to return the tax and related interest to the below, the $50 requirement [as in condition buyer or the Department of Revenue within the 90 (a) above] does not apply. day period results in a penalty of 25% of the amount not returned, or may result in a penalty of b. Seller has ceased operating business. 100% if due to fraud. If at the time of filing the claim the seller B. Buyers has ceased business, the buyer may file a claim for refund with the Department of 1. Tax Paid to Department of Revenue Revenue. A buyer may file a claim for refund of use tax Example: Buyer D erroneously paid $45 of the buyer paid in error to the Department of sales tax to Seller E in January 2009. In Revenue. April 2011, Seller E terminated the busi- ness. Buyer D may file a claim for refund Example: A manufacturer (buyer) purchased with the Department of Revenue for the equipment for $50,000 from an out-of-state $45 of overpaid sales tax. seller. The seller did not charge sales tax to the buyer on the equipment. If the buyer also paid sales or use tax in er- ror to sellers who have not ceased business, On a consumer use tax return, the buyer report- only the seller may file a claim for refund ed and paid $2,500 of use tax to the Department with the Department of Revenue for such of Revenue on the equipment. At a later date, tax, unless the buyer meets one of the other the buyer realized that its purchase of the conditions described in (a), (c), or (d). equipment qualified for exemption from sales and use tax since it is used exclusively and di- c. Buyer is being field audited. rectly by the buyer in manufacturing. If a buyer being field audited by the De- The manufacturer (buyer) may file a claim for partment of Revenue paid sales or use tax refund with the Department of Revenue for the in error to sellers or to the Department of $2,500 of use tax paid in error to the Depart- Revenue, the buyer may file a claim for re- ment of Revenue. fund with the Department of Revenue. 2. Tax Paid to a Seller Example: Buyer F is being field audited for the period of January 2007 through Decem- A buyer may file a claim for refund of sales and ber 2010. Buyer F erroneously paid $1,000 use tax paid in error to a seller under any of the of sales tax to Seller G in November 2009. following four conditions: While Buyer F is being field audited, Buy- a. The claim for refund totals $50 or more of er F may file a claim for refund for the tax. $1,000 of sales tax erroneously paid in No- vember 2009. The auditor will include this “$50 or more of tax” means that the total overpayment in the audit determination, if tax relating to all transactions contained in the claim is filed in advance of the pro- the claim for refund filed with the Depart- posed audit report. ment of Revenue is $50 or more. d. Periods covered in the claim for refund are Example: Buyer A erroneously paid $40 of within the statute of limitations for buyer, sales tax to Seller B and $30 of sales tax to but are closed to seller. Seller C. Buyer A may file a claim for re- fund with the Department of Revenue for the $70 of overpaid sales tax. 2 |
Enlarge image | Filing Claims for Refund of Sales or Use Tax Example: In August 2012, Buyer H discov- 2. Form ST-12 ers that it erroneously paid sales tax to Seller I in July 2007. Seller I reported the Sellers claiming a refund of sales or use tax paid sales tax on its July 2007 sales and use tax to the Department of Revenue may use a paper return and paid the tax to the Department of Form ST-12, Wisconsin Sales and Use Tax Return, Revenue in August 2007. as an amended return. Form ST-12 and instructions are available from any Department of Revenue Buyer H files its Wisconsin corporate fran- office, or online, at: revenue.wi.gov. Refer to chise tax return on a fiscal year basis, with page 6 of the instructions for Form ST-12 for more its fiscal year ending June 30. Seller I files information on how to use Form ST-12 as an its Wisconsin corporate franchise tax return amended return to file a claim for refund. Paper on a calendar year basis. amended returns should be sent to: Wisconsin Department of Revenue, P. O. Box 8921, Madison, The statutory deadline for Seller I to file a WI 53708-8921. claim expired on March 15, 2012, which is four years from the unextended due date 3. Alternative Written Option (that is, March 15, 2008) of its corporate franchise tax return for the calendar year In lieu of an amended return, a seller may file a 2007. claim for refund by sending a letter to the Depart- ment of Revenue. Claims submitted in this manner Buyer H may file a claim for refund of tax must indicate the claimant’s name and address, sell- it paid to Seller I in July 2007. Buyer H er’s tax account number, amount of the claim, must file this claim by September 17, 2012, reporting period for which the overpayment was which is four years from the unextended made, and a reason for the claim. A chronological due date (that is, September 15, 2008) of listing of all invoices included in the claim and cop- Buyer H’s 2007 corporate franchise tax re- ies of applicable exemption certificates received turn. Note: September 15, 2012 falls on a from buyers should be attached to the letter. Claims Saturday. The due date is the next business for refund filed in this manner should be submitted day. to: Wisconsin Department of Revenue, Mail Stop 5-144, P.O. Box 8906, Madison, WI 53708-8906. Note: If the buyer also paid sales or use tax to sellers in error which pertains to a period Note: The Department will not accept refund which is within the statute of limitations for claims made via email or over the telephone. both the buyer and seller, only the seller may file a claim for refund with the De- B. Buyers partment of Revenue for such tax, unless the buyer meets one of the other conditions 1. Tax Paid to a Seller: described in (a), (b), or (c). Buyers that overpaid sales or use tax to a seller can file a claim for refund using one of the fol- IV. HOW TO FILE A CLAIM lowing three methods: A. Sellers • If you have filed a buyer's claim for refund in the past – Use My Tax Account. 1. My Tax Account • If you have not filed a buyer's claim for re- fund before, file electronically. Select File a Sellers may claim a refund of sales and use buyer's claim for refund – sales tax. taxes paid to the Department by amending a previ- ously filed return using My Tax Account. See • Use paper Form S-220, Buyer’s Claim for Amend a Return, using the following link: Refund of Wisconsin State, County, and revenue.wi.gov/Pages/FAQS/mta-using- Stadium Sales Taxes, (also known as mta.aspx#filing for additional information. Form BCR). Form S-220a, Schedule P, 3 |
Enlarge image | Publication 216 Attachment to Buyer’s Claim for Refund of Note: This applies to situations where the buyer Wisconsin State, County, and Stadium Sales is required to pay use tax to the agency prior to Taxes, must be completed and attached to registering or titling property such as a motor Form S-220 for each seller to whom the vehicle, boat, snowmobile, mobile home not buyer paid sales or use tax in error. exceeding 45 feet in length, trailer, semitrailer, all-terrain vehicle or aircraft in Wisconsin. Forms are available at revenue.wi.gov or from any Department of Revenue office. In situations where the buyer paid sales tax to a See Forms S-220 and S-220a at the end of state agency as the retailer of the property or this publication for copies of these forms. taxable service purchased, the buyer should fol- low the procedure under B.1. of this Part IV. 2. Tax Paid to Department of Revenue: The written request should include the follow- Buyers claiming a refund of use tax paid direct- ing: ly to the Department of Revenue may use • A description of the transaction and reason Form ST-12. for the refund; Refer to page 6 of the instructions for • A copy of the application that the buyer Form ST-12, available from any Department of originally completed (for example, a Revenue office or online at revenue.wi.gov, for Form MV1, Wisconsin Title & License more information on how to use Form ST-12 as Plate Application); and an amended return to file a claim for refund. Amended returns may be submitted using My • A copy of the cancelled check (if available). Tax Account or sent to: Wisconsin Department of Revenue, P. O. Box 8921, Madison, WI Example: Buyer X purchased an automo- 53708-8921. bile from a private party. When registering the automobile with DOT, Buyer X over- In lieu of Form ST-12, a buyer may file a claim paid the use tax by $200. Buyer X may for refund by sending a letter to the Department request a refund of the overpayment in tax of Revenue. The letter must indicate the claim- from the Department of Revenue by send- ant’s name and address, tax account number, ing a written request, including an amount of the claim, reporting period for which explanation, a copy of the original the overpayment was made, and reason for the Form MV1, and the cancelled check verify- claim. A chronological listing of all invoices in- ing payment. cluded in the claim should be attached to the letter. Claims for refund submitted in this mat- V. TIME LIMITATIONS FOR FILING ter should be submitted to: Wisconsin Department of Revenue, Mail Stop 5-144, P. O. A claim for refund of a buyer or seller is timely filed if Box 8906, Madison, WI 53708-8906. it is either: 3. Tax Paid to Another State Agency: • received in person by a Department of Revenue employee on or before the due date, or Buyers claiming a refund of use tax paid to an- • mailed (including the delivery by a delivery service other state agency, such as the Department of designated under sec. 7502(f) of the Internal Reve- Transportation (DOT) or the Department of nue Code) (1) in a properly addressed envelope, Natural Resources (DNR), must submit their with postage duly prepaid, (2) the envelope is request directly to: Wisconsin Department of postmarked, or marked or recorded electronically as Revenue, Mail Stop 5-144, P. O. Box 8906, provided under sec. 7502(f)(2)(c) of the IRC, before Madison, WI 53708-8906 midnight of the last day of the limitation period, and (3) the claim is actually received by the Department 4 |
Enlarge image | Filing Claims for Refund of Sales or Use Tax of Revenue within five days after the last day of the Seller J has until April 15, 2013 to file a limitation period. claim for refund for the overpaid sales tax reported on her January 2008 sales and use Note: For purposes of this publication, a “determina- tax return. tion” means the net result (that is, refund or tax due) of a Department of Revenue audit. For example, the De- 2. Claims for Refund — Office Audit Determina- partment of Revenue may audit a claim for refund and tion Was Made for the Transaction find additional tax and interest due on unreported pur- chases of tangible personal property. If the refund Claims for refund of the tax assessed by an of- claimed, including interest, is greater than the amount fice audit may be filed within two years of the of tax and interest due, the net result is a refund. The issuance of the notice of determination of sales taxpayer may file a claim for refund regarding the tax or use tax assessed by office audit, if the seller paid (that is, assessed during audit and offset against paid the tax and the tax was not protested by fil- refund) within two years of that refund determination, ing a petition for redetermination. as long as the taxpayer did not file of petition for rede- termination. Example: In an office audit determination dated and issued July 15, 2011, the Department of A. Sellers Revenue assessed Seller K $800 of sales tax on equipment Seller K sold to Buyer L in June As indicated in Parts V.A.1. to 4. on pages 5-7, the 2009. Seller K paid the $800 of sales tax on Ju- time limitations for a seller to file a claim for refund ly 29, 2011, and did not file a petition for of sales or use tax depend on whether the seller was redetermination. audited by the Department of Revenue for the peri- od of the claim. In January 2012, Buyer L provides Seller K with an exemption certificate, claiming the 1. Claims for Refund — No Office Audit Deter- manufacturing exemption on the equipment. mination Was Made for the Transaction and No Field Audit Determination Was Made for Seller K has until July 15, 2013 (two years from Period of the Claim the date the notice of office audit determination was issued) to file a claim for refund with the If the transaction in the claim for refund (1) was Department of Revenue for the $800 of tax, not included in a prior office audit determina- since the overpaid tax was part of the July 15, tion and (2) was not in the periods or years 2011 office audit determination. included in a prior field audit determination (neither (1) nor (2) occurred), claims for refund 3. Claims for Refund — Field Audit Determina- may be filed as follows: tion Was Made for Period of Claim • Within four years after the unextended due If the transaction occurred during the period or date of the seller’s Wisconsin income or years included in a prior field audit determina- franchise tax return, or, tion, the time limitations for filing a claim for • If exempt from filing Wisconsin income or refund for such transaction are as follows: franchise tax returns, within four years of the 15th day of the 4th month of the year a. Transaction Not Assessed in Field Audit following the close of the calendar or fiscal Determination year. 1) Field Audit Not Appealed to Depart- Example: Seller J, an individual, overpaid ment’s Resolution Unit sales tax to the Department of Revenue on her January 2008 sales and use tax return. Seller has until the earliest of the fol- The unextended due date of Seller J’s 2008 lowing to file a claim for refund: income tax return is April 15, 2009. 5 |
Enlarge image | Publication 216 • Four years from the unextended • Four years from the unextended due date of the seller’s income or due date of the seller’s income or franchise tax return or if exempt franchise tax return or if exempt from filing Wisconsin income or from filing Wisconsin income or franchise tax returns, within four franchise tax returns, within four years of the 15th day of the 4th years of the 15th day of the 4th month of the year following the month of the year following the close of the calendar or fiscal year close of the calendar or fiscal year (or date extended by waiver under (or date extended by waiver under sec. 77.59(3m), Wis. Stats.). sec. 77.59(3m), Wis. Stats.). • Date the amount of the notice of • Date the amount of the notice of determination is paid. determination is paid (this does not include deposits of tax under • 60 days after the date the seller re- sec. 77.59(6)(c), Wis. Stats., while ceived the notice of determination. appeal is pending). 2) Field Audit Determination Appealed to • 60 days after the date the seller re- the Department’s Resolution Unit, But ceived the Resolution Unit’s notice Not to Wisconsin Tax Appeals Commis- of redetermination, even though sion seller files the appeal with the Wis- consin Tax Appeals Commission Seller has until the earliest of the fol- before the 60 days have expired. lowing to file a claim for refund: b. Transaction Assessed in Field Audit De- • Four years from the unextended termination due date of the seller’s income or franchise tax return or if exempt Claims for refund of the tax assessed by a from filing Wisconsin income or field audit may be filed within two years of franchise tax returns, within four the issuance of the notice of determination years of the 15th day of the 4th of sales or use tax assessed by field audit, if month of the year following the the seller paid the tax and the tax was not close of the calendar or fiscal year protested by filing a petition for redetermi- (or date extended by waiver under nation. sec. 77.59(3m), Wis. Stats.). • Date the amount of the notice of Example: Seller O is field audited by the determination is paid (this does not Department of Revenue for the period Jan- include deposits of tax under uary 2008 through December 2011, and is sec. 77.59(6)(c), Wis. Stats., while assessed $5,000 of sales tax on sales made appeal is pending). by Seller O. The notice of determination is dated and issued April 6, 2012. • 60 days after the date the seller re- ceived the Resolution Unit’s notice Seller O pays the $5,000 of sales tax on of redetermination. April 20, 2012, and does not file a petition for redetermination. 3) Seller Appeals Field Audit Determina- tion to Wisconsin Tax Appeals Seller O has until April 7, 2014, to file a Commission or Court claim for refund with the Department of Revenue for all or part of the $5,000 of Seller has until the earliest of the fol- sales tax assessed. (April 6, 2014, falls on a lowing to file a claim for refund: Sunday. The due date is the following busi- ness day.) 6 |
Enlarge image | Filing Claims for Refund of Sales or Use Tax 4. Claims for Refund — A Field Audit Determi- Tax Paid to the Department of Revenue: nation Was Made and Customer Files Valid Claim With Seller 1. Claims for Refund — No Office Audit Deter- mination Was Made for the Transaction and Even though a seller has been field audited, No Field Audit Determination Was Made for claims for refund may be filed within four years Period of the Claim after the unextended due date of the seller’s Wisconsin income or franchise tax return, or if If the transaction in the claim for refund (1) was exempt from filing Wisconsin income or fran- not included in a prior office audit determina- chise tax returns, within four years of the 15th tion and (2) was not in the periods or years day of the 4th month of the year following the included in a prior field audit determination close of the calendar or fiscal year, if the sell- (neither (1) nor (2) occurred), claims for refund er’s customers have filed valid claims for may be filed as follows: refund with the seller. • Within four years after the unextended due date of the buyer’s Wisconsin income or Example: Seller Q, a sole proprietor, is field franchise tax return, or, audited by the Department of Revenue for the period January 2006 through December 2009. • If exempt from filing Wisconsin income or Seller Q is assessed $2,000 of use tax on franchise tax returns, within four years of equipment purchased by Seller Q from vendors the 15th day of the 4th month of the year located outside Wisconsin. The notice of field following the close of the calendar or fiscal audit determination is dated and issued June 11, year (or date extended by waiver under 2010. Seller Q does not file a petition for rede- sec. 77.59(3m), Wis. Stats.). termination. Example: Buyer J, an individual, overpaid Seller Q files its income tax return on a calen- use tax to the Department of Revenue on dar year basis. his January 2008 sales and use tax return. The unextended due date of Buyer J’s 2008 In November 2011, Seller Q receives a request income tax return is April 15, 2009. from a church for a refund of $500 of sales tax which it charged to the church on landscaping Buyer J has until April 15, 2013 to file a services provided by Seller Q in July 2008. The claim for refund for the overpaid use tax church has provided Seller Q with its certificate reported on the January 2008 sales and use of exempt status number. Seller Q reported the tax return. $500 of tax on its July 2008 sales and use tax return. 2. Claims for Refund — Office Audit Determina- tion Was Made for the Transaction Since Seller Q reported the $500 of tax on its July 2008 sales and use tax return, Seller Q has Claims for refund of the tax assessed by an of- until April 15, 2013 (four years from the unex- fice audit may be filed within two years of the tended due date of his 2008 income tax return), issuance of the notice of determination of sales to file a refund claim with the Department of or use tax assessed by office audit, if the buyer Revenue for the $500 of sales tax. paid the tax and the tax was not protested by fil- ing a petition for redetermination. B. Buyers Example: In an office audit determination dated As indicated in this Part V.B. on pages 7-10, the and issued July 22, 2011, the Department of time limitations for a buyer to file a claim for re- Revenue assessed Buyer K $800 of use tax on fund of sales or use tax depend on whether the equipment Buyer K purchased in June 2009. buyer was audited by the Department of Revenue Buyer K paid the $800 of use tax on July 29, for the period of the claim. 7 |
Enlarge image | Publication 216 2011, and did not file a petition for redetermi- • Four years from the unextended nation. due date of the buyer’s income or franchise tax return or if exempt Buyer K has until July 22, 2013, (two years from filing Wisconsin income or from the date the notice of office audit determi- franchise tax returns, within four nation was issued) to file a claim for refund years of the 15th day of the 4th with the Department of Revenue for the $800 of month of the year following the tax, since the tax was part of the July 22, 2011 close of the calendar or fiscal year office audit determination. (or date extended by waiver under sec. 77.59(3m), Wis. Stats.). 3. Claims for Refund — Field Audit Determina- tion Was Made for Period of Claim • Date the amount of the notice of determination is paid (this does not If the transaction occurred during the period or include deposits of tax under years included in a prior field audit determina- sec. 77.59(6)(c), Wis. Stats., while tion, the time limitations for filing a claim for appeal is pending). refund for such transaction are as follows: • 60 days after the date the buyer re- ceived the Resolution Unit’s notice a. Transaction Not Assessed in Field Audit of redetermination. Determination 3) Buyer Appeals Field Audit Determina- 1) Field Audit Not Appealed to Depart- tion to Wisconsin Tax Appeals ment’s Resolution Unit Commission or Court Buyer has until the earliest of the fol- Buyer has until the earliest of the fol- lowing to file a claim for refund: lowing to file a claim for refund: • Four years from the unextended • Four years from the unextended due date of the buyer’s income or due date of the buyer’s income or franchise tax return or if exempt franchise tax return or if exempt from filing Wisconsin income or from filing Wisconsin income or franchise tax returns, within four franchise tax returns, within four years of the 15th day of the 4th years of the 15th day of the 4th month of the year following the month of the year following the close of the calendar or fiscal year close of the calendar or fiscal year (or date extended by waiver under (or date extended by waiver under sec. 77.59(3m), Wis. Stats.). sec. 77.59(3m), Wis. Stats). • Date the amount of the notice of • Date the amount of the notice of determination is paid. determination is paid (this does not • 60 days after the date the buyer re- include deposits of tax under ceived the notice of determination. sec. 77.59(6)(c), Wis. Stats., while appeal is pending). 2) Field Audit Determination Appealed to • 60 days after the date the buyer re- the Department’s Resolution Unit, But ceived the Resolution Unit’s notice Not to Wisconsin Tax Appeals Commis- of redetermination, even though the sion buyer files the appeal with the Wis- consin Tax Appeals Commission Buyer has until the earliest of the fol- before the 60 days have expired. lowing to file a claim for refund: 8 |
Enlarge image | Filing Claims for Refund of Sales or Use Tax b. Transaction Assessed in Field Audit De- Buyer J has until April 15, 2014 to file a termination claim for refund for the overpaid sales tax paid to Seller K in January 2009. Claims for refund of the tax assessed by a field audit may be filed within two years of 2. Claims for Refund — Field Audit Determina- the issuance of the notice of determination tion Was Made for Period of Claim of sales or use tax assessed by field audit, if the buyer paid the tax and the tax was not If the transaction occurred during the period or protested by filing a petition for redetermi- years included in a prior field audit determina- nation. tion, the time limitations for filing a claim for refund for such transaction are as follows: Example: Buyer O is field audited by the Department of Revenue for the period Jan- a. Field Audit Not Appealed to Depart- uary 2007 through December 2010, and is ment’s Resolution Unit assessed $5,000 of use tax on purchases made. The notice of determination is dated Buyer has until the earliest of the following and issued October 7, 2011. to file a claim for refund: • Four years from the unextended due Buyer O pays the $5,000 of use tax on Oc- date of the buyer’s income or franchise tober 28, 2011, and does not file a petition tax return or if exempt from filing Wis- for redetermination. consin income or franchise tax returns, within four years of the 15th day of the Buyer O has until October 7, 2013, to file a 4th month of the year following the claim for refund with the Department of close of the calendar or fiscal year (or Revenue for all or part of the $5,000 of use date extended by waiver under tax assessed. sec. 77.59(3m), Wis. Stats.). Tax Paid to Seller: • Date the amount of the notice of deter- mination is paid. 1. Claims for Refund — No Field Audit Deter- mination Was Made for Period of the Claim • 60 days after the date the buyer re- ceived the notice of determination. If the transaction in the claim for refund was not in the periods or years included in a prior b. Field Audit Determination Appealed to field audit determination, claims for refund may the Department’s Resolution Unit, But be filed as follows: Not to Wisconsin Tax Appeals Commis- sion • Within four years after the unextended due date of the buyer’s Wisconsin income or Buyer has until the earliest of the following franchise tax return, or if exempt from fil- to file a claim for refund: ing Wisconsin income or franchise tax • returns, within four years of the 15th day of Four years from the unextended due the 4th month of the year following the date of the buyer’s income or franchise close of the calendar or fiscal year (or date tax return or if exempt from filing Wis- extended by waiver under sec. 77.59(3m), consin income or franchise tax returns, Wis. Stats.). within four years of the 15th day of the 4th month of the year following the Example: Buyer J, an individual, overpaid close of the calendar or fiscal year (or sales tax of $100 to Seller K in January date extended by waiver under 2009. The unextended due date of Buyer J’s sec. 77.59(3m), Wis. Stats.). 2009 income tax return is April 15, 2010. • Date the amount of the notice of deter- mination is paid (this does not include 9 |
Enlarge image | Publication 216 deposits of tax under sec. 77.59(6)(c), Subsequently, Seller U determines that it overre- Wis. Stats., while appeal is pending). ported its gross receipts on its June 2011 sales and use tax return, resulting in a $100 overpayment of • 60 days after the date the buyer re- sales tax. ceived the Resolution Unit’s notice of redetermination. On August 22, 2013, Seller U files a claim for re- fund for the $100 of overpaid sales tax. The c. Buyer Appeals Field Audit Determina- Department of Revenue pays the refund to Seller U tion to Wisconsin Tax Appeals on October 31, 2013. Commission or Court The period for which interest is computed is Ju- Buyer has until the earliest of the following ly 31, 2011 to October 31, 2013 (27 months). The to file a claim for refund: interest portion of the refund is computed as fol- • Four years from the unextended due lows: date of the buyer’s income or franchise tax return or if exempt from filing Wis- 27 months x .09 x $100 = $20.25 consin income or franchise tax returns, 12 months within four years of the 15th day of the 4th month of the year following the B. Refunded to Buyer close of the calendar or fiscal year (or date extended by waiver under 1. Tax Paid to Department — The period for sec. 77.59(3m), Wis. Stats.). which interest is computed begins on the unex- tended due date of the buyer’s sales and use tax • Date the amount of the notice of deter- return (or the buyer’s consumer use tax return) mination is paid (this does not include for the period in which the purchase was made, deposits of tax under sec. 77.59(6)(c), and ends on the date the refund is paid. Wis. Stats., while appeal is pending). • 60 days after the date the buyer re- Example: On January 22, 2010, Buyer V files ceived the Resolution Unit’s notice of its December 2009 sales and use tax return. The redetermination, even though the buyer unextended due date of Buyer V’s December files the appeal with the Wisconsin Tax 2009 sales and use tax return is January 31, Appeals Commission before the 2010. 60 days have expired. Subsequently, Buyer V determines that it over- paid its use tax by $500 and files a claim for VI. INTEREST refund with the Wisconsin Department of Rev- enue for the $500 of overpaid use tax. The When sales or use tax is refunded, interest at 9% per Department of Revenue pays the refund to year is paid with the refund, computed as follows: Buyer V on October 1, 2010. A. Refunded to Seller The period for which interest is computed is January 31, 2010 to October 1, 2010 (eight The period for which interest is computed begins on months). The interest portion of the refund is the unextended due date of the seller’s sales and use computed as follows: tax return for the period in which the sale was made, and ends on the date the refund is paid. 8 months x .09 x $500 = $30.00 12 months Example: On July 15, 2011, Seller U files its June 2011 sales and use tax return, and pays the tax due 2. Tax Paid to Seller — Interest is computed of $500 reported on the return. The unextended due from the last day of the month following the date of Seller U’s June 2011 sales and use tax return is July 31, 2011. 10 |
Enlarge image | Filing Claims for Refund of Sales or Use Tax month in which the tax was paid by the buyer to C. Department of Revenue to Act on Claim the seller, to the date the refund is paid. A claim for refund shall be regarded as a request for Example: On September 15, 2009, Buyer W determination. The determination shall be made by pays $1,000 of sales tax to Seller X on a pur- the department within one year after the claim for chase of equipment. refund is received by the department, unless the buyer or seller making the claim has consented in Subsequently, Buyer W determines that the writing to an extension of the one-year time period equipment purchased qualifies for exemption prior to its expiration. from sales and use tax. On December 10, 2009, Buyer W files a claim for refund with the Wis- D. Seller to Refund Tax and Interest to Buyers or consin Department of Revenue for the $1,000 the Department of Revenue of sales tax. The Department of Revenue pays the refund to Buyer W on April 30, 2010. A seller is required to refund taxes and related in- terest to the buyers from whom the taxes were Since Buyer W paid the tax to Seller X in Sep- collected, in the following situations: tember 2009, the period for which interest is computed is October 31, 2009 (the last day of (a) The seller files a claim for refund with the Wis- the month following the month in which the tax consin Department of Revenue, for taxes that was paid by the buyer to the seller) to April 30, the seller has collected from buyers, and re- 2010 (six months). The interest portion of the ceives such refund. refund is computed as follows: (b) The seller files a claim for refund with the Wis- 6 months x .09 x $1,000 = $45.00 consin Department of Revenue, for taxes that 12 months the seller has collected from buyers, and the seller is entitled to a refund of such taxes, but the refund is offset against deficiencies of the VII. OTHER seller due and owing on the books of the Wis- consin Department of Revenue. A. Buyer and Seller May Not Both Obtain Refunds of Tax (c) The seller collects amounts as taxes erroneously from buyers, but the seller does not remit such Refunds will not be allowed to both the buyer and amounts to the state. seller for the tax on the same transaction. If refund claims for the same transaction are filed by both the If the seller cannot locate the buyers, the seller must seller and buyer, and both claims are approved by return the taxes and related interest to the Wisconsin the Department of Revenue, the Department of Department of Revenue within 90 days after the Revenue will decide whether the buyer or seller will date of the refund, within 90 days after the date of receive the refund. the offset, or within 90 days after discovering that the seller has collected taxes erroneously from the B. Offsetting a Refund Against Any Debts buyers. The Department of Revenue may offset a sales or Note: A person who collects amounts as taxes erro- use tax refund against any delinquent taxes and un- neously from buyers for a real property construction paid amounts owed by the buyer or seller who filed activity or nontaxable service may reduce the taxes the claim for refund that are collectible by the De- and interest that he or she is required to submit to partment of Revenue on behalf of any governmental the buyer or to the department for that activity or unit. service by the amount of tax and interest subse- quently due and paid on the sale of or the storage, use, or other consumption of the property, items, or goods listed in Parts II.A., B., C., and D. that are 11 |
Enlarge image | Publication 216 used by the person in that activity or service and er information required to be shown on any sales transferred to the buyer. and/or use tax return that is required to be filed, may be subject to any of the following, as deter- mined by the Department of Revenue, except that VIII. PENALTIES the penalty may not be imposed if the person shows that under all facts and circumstances the person's A. Incorrect Claim for Refund response, or failure to respond, to the department's request was reasonable or justified by factors be- Negligence Penalty: A buyer or seller who negli- yond the person's control: gently files an incorrect and excessive claim for a refund of sales or use tax is subject to a penalty of 1. The disallowance of deductions, credits, ex- 25% of the difference between the amount claimed emptions, or inclusions of additional taxable and the amount that should have been claimed. sales or additional taxable purchases to which the requested records relate Fraud Penalty: A buyer or seller who fraudulently files an incorrect claim for a refund of sales or use 2. A penalty for each violation of this subsection tax is subject to a penalty of 100% of the difference that is equal to the greater of $500 or 25 percent between the amount claimed and the amount that of the amount of the additional tax on any ad- should have been claimed. justment made by the department that results from the person's failure to produce the records. B. Failure to Return Tax to Buyer or Department See sec. Tax 11.90, Wis. Adm. Code. Negligence Penalty: If a seller is refunded tax and interest by the Department of Revenue for tax col- lected from a buyer, and the seller fails to return the IX. SPECIAL SITUATIONS NOT tax and interest to the buyer or the department with- REQUIRING THE SELLER TO in 90 days after the date of refund or offset, the FILE A CLAIM FOR REFUND seller is subject to a penalty of 25% of the amount not returned. A seller does not need to file a claim for refund in the following situations: Fraud Penalty: If a seller is refunded tax and inter- est by the Department of Revenue for tax collected A. Sale Returns and Price Adjustments from a buyer, and the seller fails to return the tax and interest to the buyer or the department within The seller has refunded, in cash or credit, all or a 90 days after the date of the refund or offset due to portion of the sales price as a result of property re- fraud, the seller is subject to a penalty of 100% of turned or adjustments in the sales price after the the amount not returned. sale has been completed, provided: Note: An “offset” is the amount of a seller’s claim 1) The seller has included the refunded receipts in for refund of sales and use taxes and related interest the current period’s return or a prior period re- to which the seller is entitled, but which is applied turn of the seller, and paid the tax on those against delinquencies of the seller due and owing on receipts; and the books of the Wisconsin Department of Revenue. The amount of the offset is included in determining 2) The seller has refunded the tax to the buyer. the amount of the refund which the seller must re- fund to the buyer or the Department of Revenue. In this situation, the seller may claim a deduction from gross receipts for the amount of the purchase C. Failure to Produce Records price refunded to the buyer on Line 4 (Sales returns, allowances, and bad debts) of Form ST-12, Wiscon- A person who fails to produce records or documents sin Sales and Use Tax Return, for the period in requested by the Department of Revenue in a field audit or in a summons, that support amounts or oth- 12 |
Enlarge image | Filing Claims for Refund of Sales or Use Tax which the refund of the purchase price was made to to interest, service charges, and other charges the buyer. related to the sale. B. Bad Debts 2. If a bad debt relates to the retail sales of the property, items, or goods listed in Parts II.A., “Bad debt” as used below, means the portion of the B., C., and D., or taxable services that were sales price or purchase price that the seller has re- sourced to this state and to one or more other ported as taxable for Wisconsin sales and use tax states, the total amount of such bad debt shall purposes and paid the tax thereon to the department be apportioned among the states to which the and that the seller may claim as a deduction under underlying sales were sourced in a manner pre- section 166 of the Internal Revenue Code. “Bad scribed by the department to arrive at the debt” does not include financing charges or interest, amount of the deduction. sales or use taxes imposed on the sales price or pur- chase price, uncollectible amounts on tangible The “sourcing” of a sale refers to the location in personal property or items, property, or goods, which the sale takes place, as provided in listed in Parts II.A., B., C., or D. that remain in the sec. 77.522, Wis. Stats. seller’s possession until the full sales price or pur- chase price is paid, expenses incurred in attempting 3. A seller may obtain a refund of the tax on the to collect any debt, debts sold or assigned to 3rd bad debt amount deducted under the paragraph parties for collection, and repossessed property or titled “Claiming a Deduction for Bad Debts” items. that exceeds the amount of the seller's taxable sales, except that the period for making a claim Claiming a Deduction for Bad Debts: A seller may as determined under Part V.A. begins on the claim a deduction on a sales or use tax return for the date on which the return on which the bad debt amount of any bad debt that the seller writes off as could be claimed would have been required to uncollectible in the seller's books and records and be submitted to the department. that is eligible to be deducted as a bad debt for fed- eral income tax purposes, regardless of whether the 4. If a seller is using a certified service provider, seller is required to file a federal income tax return. the certified service provider may claim a bad The seller must claim the deduction on the return debt deduction on the seller's behalf if the seller that is submitted for the period in which the seller has not claimed and will not claim the same de- writes off the amount of the deduction as uncollect- duction. A certified service provider who ible in the seller's books and records and in which receives a bad debt deduction shall credit that such amount is eligible to be deducted as bad debt deduction to the seller and a certified service for federal income tax purposes. If the seller subse- provider who receives a refund shall submit that quently collects in whole or in part any bad debt for refund to the seller. which a deduction is claimed under this paragraph, the seller shall include the amount collected in the Note: If the retailer fails to claim the deduction for return filed for the period in which the amount is the bad debt on the original return that is filed for collected and shall pay the tax with the return. In the period in which the debt became a “bad debt,” addition, the following apply to bad debts: the retailer must file an amended return for that pe- riod, as explained in Part IV.A., to claim the bad 1. For purposes of computing a bad debt deduc- debt. tion or reporting a payment received on a previously claimed bad debt, any payment Example: Retailer A has a bad debt of $10,000 for made on a debt or on an account is applied first the period March 2009. Retailer A filed a sales tax to the price of the property, items, or goods return for March 2009, but did not claim the deduc- listed in Parts II.A., B., C., and D., or taxable tion for the bad debt. The unextended due date for services sold, and the proportionate share of the March 2009 return is April 20, 2009. To claim the sales tax on the property, items, or goods listed $10,000 deduction for the bad debt, Retailer A must in Parts II.A., B., C., or D., or services, and then file an amended return for the period of March 13 |
Enlarge image | Publication 216 2009. Retailer A has until April 20, 2013, (four X. IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS years from the unextended due date of the return on which the bad debt may be claimed), to file the If you have a question about sales and use taxes, call, amended return. write, or email the department. Write . . . Wisconsin Department of Revenue C. Tax Paid on Purchase of Leased Property Mail Stop 5-77 If a lessor of property, items, or goods listed in PO Box 8946 Part II.A., B., C., or D. reimbursed the vendor for Madison, WI 53708-8946 sales tax on the sale of the property, items, or goods Telephone . . . (608) 266-2776 by the vendor to the lessor, the tax due from the les- sor on the rental receipts may be offset by a credit Fax . . . (608) 267-1030 equal to, but not exceeding, the tax otherwise due Email . . . DORSalesandUse@revenue.wi.gov on the rental receipts from the property, items, or goods for the reporting period. The credit expires Visit our website . revenue.wi.gov when the cumulative rental receipts equal the sales price upon which the vendor paid sales taxes to the Department of Revenue. The credit is claimed by taking a deduction on Line 5 “Other subtractions” of Form ST-12, Wisconsin Sales and Use Tax Re- turn, or the online form using My Tax Account, for the amount of rental receipts from the property, items, or goods included in gross receipts on Line 1 of Form ST-12 by the lessor during the period cov- ered by the return. D. Tax-Paid Purchases Resold If a purchaser of property, items, or goods listed in Part II.A., B., C., or D. reimbursed the vendor for sales tax on the sale and subsequently, prior to mak- ing any use of the property, items, or goods, other than retention, demonstration or display while hold- ing it for sale or rental, makes a taxable sale of the property, items, or goods, the tax due on the taxable sale may be offset by the tax reimbursed. The offset is claimed by taking a deduction on Line 5 “Other subtractions” of Form ST-12, Wisconsin Sales and Use Tax Return or the online form using My Tax Account, for the amount of the purchase price paid for the property, items, or goods resold. The offset is claimed on the same return which includes the sales price for the property, items, or goods resold. Note: In situations C and D, do not take a credit or off- set for tax-paid purchases resold in a non-taxable transaction. You must request a refund of the tax paid from the vendor who sold you the property, items, or goods or file a Buyer’s Claim for Refund with the De- partment of Revenue. 14 |
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