Wisconsin Residents Get Child Sales Tax Rebate

May 15, 2018 — Wisconsin has a budget surplus of almost $400 million and will return some of the surplus to its taxpayers.  Starting in mid-May, Wisconsin taxpayers will be able to apply for a $100 sales tax rebate per dependent child—however, there is a short window to do so. A claimant must apply for the rebate beginning May 15, 2018, and claims will be accepted through July 2, 2018. The Wisconsin Department of Revenue (DOR) states that late claims will not be accepted. The rebates are expected to be issued within three weeks of filing a claim.

To be eligible, the taxpayer must meet both of the following qualifications:

1. Must have a qualified child.
2. A child may only be claimed by one individual.

The child must be:

1. Under age 18 on December 31, 2017.
2. A dependent of the taxpayer for the tax year 2017.
3. A Wisconsin resident on December 31, 2017.
4. A United States citizen.

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. Must a claimant file a 2017 income tax return to show a child was their dependent? No, however, the Wisconsin DOR may request additional information to show the child would have been eligible.
2. Must a nonresident or part-year resident of Wisconsin provide documents to claim the Child Sales Tax Rebate? Yes, the claimant must provide the following documents:

• Sales receipts to prove at least $100 of non-business WI sales or use tax was paid in 2017 for each qualified child.
• Proof that each qualified child was a WI resident on December 31, 2017.
• List of complete addresses where each child live on December 31, 2017
• Explanation how the child was a WI resident on December 31, 2017.

If you have any questions about the Wisconsin child sales tax rebate, you can contact Nikki Bocock at nbocock@redpathcpas.com or 651-255-9353.