71.43
71.43
Imposition of tax. 71.43(1)(1)
Income tax. For the purpose of raising revenue for the state and the counties, cities, villages and towns, there shall be assessed, levied, collected and paid a tax as provided under this chapter on all Wisconsin net incomes of corporations that are not subject to the franchise tax under
sub. (2) and that own property within this state; that derive income from sources within this state or from activities that are attributable to this state; or whose business within this state during the taxable year, except as provided under
s. 71.23 (3), consists exclusively of foreign commerce, interstate commerce, or both, or that buy or sell lottery prizes if the winning tickets were originally bought in this state; except as exempted under
ss. 71.26 (1) and
71.45 (1). This section shall not be construed to prevent or affect the correction of errors or omissions in the assessments of income for former years under
s. 71.74 (1) and
(2).
71.43(2)
(2) Franchise tax on corporations. For the privilege of exercising its franchise, buying or selling lottery prizes if the winning tickets were originally bought in this state or doing business in this state in a corporate capacity, except as provided under
s. 71.23 (3), every domestic or foreign corporation, except corporations specified in
ss. 71.26 (1) and
71.45 (1), shall annually pay a franchise tax according to or measured by its entire Wisconsin net income of the preceding taxable year at the rates set forth in
s. 71.46 (2). In addition, except as provided in
ss. 71.23 (3),
71.26 (1) and
71.45 (1), a corporation that ceases doing business in this state shall pay a special franchise tax according to or measured by its entire Wisconsin net income for the taxable year during which the corporation ceases doing business in this state at the rate under
s. 71.46 (2). Every corporation organized under the laws of this state shall be deemed to be residing within this state for the purposes of this franchise tax. All provisions of this chapter and
ch. 73 relating to income taxation of corporations shall apply to franchise taxes imposed under this subsection, unless the context requires otherwise. The tax imposed by this subsection on insurance companies subject to taxation under this chapter shall be based on Wisconsin net income computed under
s. 71.45, and no other provision of this chapter relating to computation of taxable income for other corporations shall apply to such insurance companies. All other provisions of this chapter shall apply to insurance companies subject to taxation under this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.
71.43 Annotation
Sub. (2) is discriminatory within the meaning of 31 U.S.C. 3124 (1) (a) and in violation of that provision. American Family Mutual Insurance Co. v. DOR,
214 Wis. 2d 576,
571 N.W.2d 710 (Ct. App. 1997).
71.44
71.44
Filing returns; extensions; payment of tax. 71.44(1)(a)(a) Every corporation, except corporations all of whose income is exempt from taxation and except as provided in
sub. (1m), shall furnish to the department a true and accurate statement, on or before March 15 of each year, except that returns for fiscal years ending on some other date than December 31 shall be furnished on or before the 15th day of the 3rd month following the close of such fiscal year and except that returns for less than a full taxable year shall be furnished on or before the date applicable for federal income taxes under the internal revenue code, in such manner and form and setting forth such facts as the department deems necessary to enforce this chapter. Every corporation that is required to furnish a statement under this paragraph and that has income that is not taxable under this subchapter shall include with its statement a report that identifies each item of its nontaxable income. The statement shall be subscribed by the president, vice president, treasurer, assistant treasurer, chief accounting officer or any other officer duly authorized so to act. In the case of a return made for a corporation by a fiduciary, the fiduciary shall subscribe the return. The fact that an individual's name is subscribed on the return shall be prima facie evidence that the individual is authorized to subscribe the return on behalf of the corporation.
71.44(1)(b)
(b) Each corporation that is required to file a return under this section shall file with that return a copy of its federal income tax return for the same taxable year.
71.44(1)(c)
(c) Whenever a corporation has been completely inactive for an entire taxable year, in lieu of filing the statements and information otherwise required by this section, it may file a declaration, on a form to be provided by the department, subscribed by its president, if a resident of this state, and, if not a resident, then by another officer residing in this state, attesting to such inactivity. Such declaration must be filed prior to the otherwise due date for its Wisconsin return for such taxable year. Thereafter the corporation need not file such statements or information for any subsequent year unless specifically requested to do so by the department or unless in a subsequent year the corporation has been activated or reactivated. If a corporation files a false declaration of complete inactivity, or, after filing a declaration, becomes activated or reactivated and fails to file timely statements and information hereunder covering such year or years of activity or reactivity its officers at the time of such filing or failure shall be jointly and severally liable for a civil penalty of $25 for such filing or each such failure, which penalty may be assessed and collected as income or franchise taxes are assessed and collected.
71.44(1)(d)
(d) Nothing contained in this subsection shall preclude the department from requiring any corporation to file a return when in the judgment of the department a return should be filed.
71.44(1m)
(1m) Unrelated business income. Every corporation subject to a tax on unrelated business income under
s. 71.26 (1) (a), if that corporation is required to file for federal income tax purposes, shall furnish to the department of revenue a true and accurate statement on or before the date on or before which it is required to file for federal income tax purposes. The requirements about manner, form and subscription under
sub. (1) apply to statements under this subsection.
71.44(2)
(2) Changing accounting periods. 71.44(2)(a)(a) Corporations may not change their basis of reporting from a calendar year to a fiscal year, from a fiscal year to a calendar year, or from one fiscal year to another without first obtaining the approval of the department of revenue unless the internal revenue service has approved the change or unless the change, including a change to a short taxable year, is required by the internal revenue code before approval by the internal revenue service and the reason for the change is explained in the first return filed for the new taxable year. Corporations that make changes on the basis of federal changes shall submit a copy of the internal revenue service's notice of approval, if prior federal approval, other than expeditious approval, was required, or requirement, if prior federal approval was not required or if the corporation qualifies for expeditious approval, to the department of revenue along with the return for the first taxable year for which the change applies.
71.44(2)(b)
(b) If a corporation changes its basis of reporting from a calendar year to a fiscal year a separate return shall be made for the period between the close of the last calendar year and the date designated as the close of the fiscal year. If the change is from a fiscal year to a calendar year, a separate return shall be made for the period between the close of the last fiscal year and the following December 31. If the change is from one fiscal year to another fiscal year a separate return shall be made for the period between the close of the former fiscal year and the date designated as the close of the new fiscal year. In no case shall a separate income or franchise tax return be made for a period of more than 12 months.
71.44(2)(c)
(c) If a separate corporation income tax return is made for a fractional part of a year for federal income tax purposes, the corporation shall file a separate Wisconsin income or franchise tax return for that fractional year. The income shall be computed and reported on the basis of the period for which the separate return is made, and that fractional part of a year shall constitute a taxable year, except that if a corporation terminates, under section
1362 (d) (1) or (2) of the internal revenue code, its election to be treated as an S corporation for federal income tax purposes the corporation may allocate its items of income, loss or deduction between its short taxable year as a tax-option corporation and its short taxable year as a nontax-option corporation according to the method under section
1362 (e) (2) of the internal revenue code.
71.44(2)(d)
(d) If a separate income or franchise tax return is made for a short period under
par. (b) on account of a change in the taxable year, the net income for such short period shall be placed on an annual basis using the method applicable for federal income taxes under section
443 (b) (1) of the internal revenue code.
71.44(3)
(3) Extensions. In the case of a corporation required to file a return, when sufficient reason is shown, the department of revenue may on written request allow an extension of 30 days or until the original due date of the corporation's federal return, whichever is later, if the corporation has not received an extension on its federal return. Any extension of time granted by law or by the internal revenue service for the filing of corresponding federal returns shall extend the time for filing under this subchapter to 30 days after the federal due date if a copy of any extension requested of the internal revenue service is filed with the return. Termination of an automatic extension by the internal revenue service, or its refusal to grant such automatic extension, shall similarly require that any returns due under this subchapter are due on or before 30 days after the date for termination fixed by the internal revenue service. Except for payments of estimated taxes, income or franchise taxes payable upon the filing of the tax return shall not become delinquent during such extension period, but shall be subject to interest at the rate of 12% per year during such period.
71.44(4)(b)(b) Corporation franchise and income taxes not paid on or before the 15th day of the 3rd month following the close of the taxable year shall be deemed delinquent.
71.44(4)(c)
(c) The department of revenue shall accept in advance income or franchise taxes and surtaxes from taxpayers desirous of making such payments before the same shall become due and payable. Advance payment of taxes under this provision shall not relieve the taxpayer from additional taxes which may result from subsequent legislation or from additional taxable income disclosed or discovered subsequent to such payment.
71.44(4)(d)
(d) No person is required to pay a balance due of less than $1.
71.45
71.45
Income computation. 71.45(1)(1)
Exempt and excludable income. There shall be exempt from taxation under this subchapter income of insurers exempt from federal income taxation pursuant to section
501 (c) (15) of the internal revenue code, town mutuals organized under or subject to
ch. 612, foreign insurers, and domestic insurers engaged exclusively in life insurance business, domestic insurers insuring against financial loss by reason of nonpayment of principal, interest and other sums agreed to be paid under the terms of any note or bond or other evidence of indebtedness secured by a mortgage, deed of trust or other instrument constituting a lien or charge on real estate and corporations organized under
ch. 185, but not including income of cooperative sickness care associations organized under
s. 185.981, or of a service insurance corporation organized under
ch. 613, that is derived from a health maintenance organization as defined in
s. 609.01 (2) or a limited service health organization as defined in
s. 609.01 (3), or operating under
subch. I of ch. 616 which are bona fide cooperatives operated without pecuniary profit to any shareholder or member, or operated on a cooperative plan pursuant to which they determine and distribute their proceeds in substantial compliance with
s. 185.45. This subsection does not apply to income that is realized from the sale of or purchase and subsequent sale or redemption of lottery prizes if the winning tickets were originally bought in this state.
71.45(1t)
(1t) Exemption from the income tax. The interest and income from the following obligations are exempt from the tax imposed under
s. 71.43 (1):
71.45(1t)(e)
(e) Those issued under
s. 234.65 to fund an economic development loan to finance construction, renovation or development of property that would be exempt under
s. 70.11 (36).
71.45(1t)(g)
(g) Those issued under
s. 66.0621 by a local professional baseball park district, a local professional football stadium district, or a local cultural arts district.
71.45(2)
(2) Determination of net income. 71.45(2)(a)(a) Insurers subject to taxation under this chapter shall pay a tax according to or measured by net income. Such tax is payable under
s. 71.44 (1). Except as provided in
sub. (5), "net income" of an insurer subject to taxation under this chapter means federal taxable income as determined in accordance with the provisions of the internal revenue code adjusted as follows:
71.45(2)(a)1.
1. By adding to federal taxable income the amount of any loss carry-forward or carry-back, including any capital loss carry-forward or carry-back, deducted in the calculation of federal taxable income.
71.45(2)(a)2.
2. By adding to federal taxable income, if not already included therein, the amount of any federal tax refund or portion thereof previously applied to reduce the amount of tax payable under this chapter.
71.45(2)(a)3.
3. For insurers subject to taxation under
s. 71.43 (1), by adding to federal taxable income the amount of any interest income, except interest under
sub. (1t), that is not included in federal taxable income except the amount of any interest income which is by federal law exempt from taxation by this state and, for insurers subject to taxation under
s. 71.43 (2), by adding to federal taxable income the amount of any interest income which is not included in federal taxable income.
71.45(2)(a)4.
4. By adding to federal taxable income an amount equal to dividend income received during the taxable year to the extent such dividend income was used as a deduction in determining federal taxable income.
71.45(2)(a)5.
5. By adding to federal taxable income the amount of taxes imposed by this or any other state, or the District of Columbia, that are value-added taxes, single business taxes or taxes on or measured by net income, gross income, gross receipts or capital stock, if any, that are deducted in the calculation of federal taxable income except that gross receipts taxes assessed in lieu of property taxes are deductible from gross income.
71.45(2)(a)5m.
5m. By adding to federal taxable income the amount of the environmental tax that is imposed under section
59A of the internal revenue code and that is deducted in calculating federal taxable income.
71.45(2)(a)6.
6. By adding or subtracting, as appropriate, the difference between the federal basis and the Wisconsin basis of any asset sold, exchanged, abandoned or otherwise disposed of in a taxable transaction during the taxable year.
71.45(2)(a)7.
7. By adding or subtracting, as appropriate, the amount required to reflect the fact that property that, under s.
71.01 (4) (g) 7. to
10., 1985 stats., is required to be depreciated for taxable years 1983 to 1986 under the internal revenue code as amended to December 31, 1980, shall continue to be depreciated under the internal revenue code as amended to December 31, 1980.
71.45(2)(a)8.
8. By subtracting from federal taxable income dividends received that are deductible under
s. 71.26 (3) (j) and are included in federal taxable income.
71.45(2)(a)9.
9. By subtracting from federal taxable income any net capital losses not offset against capital gains to the extent that subtraction is allowed to other corporations in computing net income under
s. 71.26 (2).
71.45(2)(a)10.
10. By adding to federal taxable income the amount of credit computed under
s. 71.47 (1dd) to
(1dx) and not passed through by a partnership, limited liability company or tax-option corporation that has added that amount to the partnership's, limited liability company's or tax-option corporation's income under
s. 71.21 (4) or
71.34 (1) (g) and the amount of credit computed under
s. 71.47 (1),
(3),
(4) and
(5).
71.45(2)(a)10m.
10m. By adding to federal taxable income the amount deducted under section
847 of the Internal Revenue Code.
71.45(2)(a)13.
13. By adding or subtracting, as appropriate, the depreciation deduction under the federal Internal Revenue Code as amended to December 31, 2000, except that property first placed in service by the taxpayer on or after January 1, 1983, but before January 1, 1987, that, under s.
71.04 (15) (b) and
(br), 1985 stats., is required to be depreciated under the Internal Revenue Code as amended to December 31, 1980, and property first placed in service in taxable year 1981 or thereafter but before January 1, 1987, that, under s.
71.04 (15) (bm), 1985 stats., is required to be depreciated under the Internal Revenue Code as amended to December 31, 1980, shall continue to be depreciated under the Internal Revenue Code as amended to December 31, 1980.
71.45(2)(a)14.
14. By subtracting from federal taxable income the amount that is included in that income from the sale by the original policyholder or original certificate holder of a life insurance policy or certificate, or the sale of the death benefit under a life insurance policy or certificate, under a viatical settlement contract, as defined in
s. 632.68 (1) (d).
71.45(2)(a)15.
15. By subtracting from federal taxable income all income that is realized from the purchase and subsequent sale or redemption of lottery prizes that is treated as nonapportionable income under
sub. (3r).
71.45(2)(b)1.1. With respect to any domestic insurer engaged in the sale of life insurance and also other insurance, the net income figure derived by application of
par. (a) shall be multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the net gain from operations on insurance, other than life insurance, and the denominator of which is the total net gain from operations; except that the multiplier is zero if the numerator is zero or the numerator is negative and the adjusted federal taxable income is positive or the numerator is positive and the adjusted federal taxable income is negative, and except that the multiplier is one if the numerator is positive and the denominator is zero or negative and the adjusted federal taxable income is positive or the numerator is negative and the denominator is zero or positive and the adjusted federal taxable income is negative or the numerator, the denominator and the adjusted federal taxable income are positive and the numerator is greater than the denominator, and except that if the numerator and denominator are both negative and the adjusted federal taxable income is negative the multiplier is positive but may not be more than one.
71.45(2)(b)2.
2. For purposes of the numerator, "net gain from operations on insurance, other than life insurance" includes net income, after dividends to policyholders, but before federal income taxes and foreign income or franchise taxes, from fire and casualty insurance; net gain from operations, after dividends to policyholders and before federal income taxes, from accident and health insurance; and net realized capital gains or losses on investments from accident and health insurance operations, said net realized capital gains or losses to be apportioned among life and accident and health insurance lines in the same manner as net investment income is required to be apportioned by the commissioner of insurance. "Net gain from operations", "net income", "net realized capital gains or losses", and "net investment income" shall be calculated and reported as required under rules adopted by the commissioner of insurance.
71.45(2)(b)3.
3. For purposes of the denominator, "total net gain from operations" includes net income, after dividends to policyholders, but before federal income taxes and foreign income or franchise taxes, from fire and casualty insurance; net gain from operations after dividends to policyholders and before federal income taxes, from accident and health and life insurance; and net realized capital gains or losses on investments from accident and health and life insurance operations. "Net income", "net gain from operations", and "net realized capital gains or losses" shall be calculated and reported as required under rules adopted by the commissioner of insurance.
71.45(2)(b)4.
4. The resultant figure shall constitute Wisconsin net income for purposes of the Wisconsin franchise tax measured by net income except with respect to such of said insurers as had, in the taxable year, premiums written on insurance other than life insurance where the subject of such insurance was resident, located or to be performed outside this state.
71.45(3)
(3) Apportionment. With respect to domestic insurers not engaged in the sale of life insurance but which, in the taxable year, have collected premiums written on subjects of insurance resident, located or to be performed outside this state, there shall be subtracted from the net income figure derived by application of
sub. (2) (a) to arrive at Wisconsin income constituting the measure of the franchise tax an amount calculated by multiplying such adjusted federal taxable income by the arithmetic average of the following 2 percentages:
71.45(3)(a)
(a) The percentage of total premiums written on all property and risks other than life insurance, wherever located during the taxable year, as reflects premiums written on insurance, other than life insurance, where the subject of insurance was resident, located or to be performed outside this state.
71.45(3)(b)
(b) The percentage of total payroll, exclusive of life insurance payroll, paid everywhere in the taxable year as reflects such compensation paid outside this state. Compensation is paid outside this state if the individual's service is performed entirely outside this state; or the individual's service is performed both within and without this state, but the service performed within is incidental to the individual's service without this state; or some service is performed without this state and the base of operations, or if there is no base of operations, the place from which the service is directed or controlled is without this state, or the base of operations or the place from which the service is directed or controlled is not in any state in which some part of the service is performed, but the individual's residence is outside this state.
71.45(3m)
(3m) Arithmetic average. The arithmetic average of the 2 percentages referred to in
sub. (3) shall be applied to the net income figure arrived at by the successive application of
sub. (2) (a) and
(b) with respect to Wisconsin insurers to which
sub. (2) (a) and
(b) applies and which have collected premiums written upon insurance, other than life insurance, where the subject of such insurance was resident, located or to be performed outside this state, to arrive at Wisconsin income constituting the measure of the franchise tax.
71.45(3r)
(3r) Allocation of certain proceeds. All income that is realized from the purchase and subsequent sale or redemption of lottery prizes if the winning tickets were originally bought in this state shall be allocated to this state.
71.45(4)
(4) Net business loss carry-forward. Insurers computing tax under this subchapter may subtract from Wisconsin net income any Wisconsin net business loss sustained in any of the next 15 preceding taxable years to the extent not offset by Wisconsin net business income of any year between the loss year and the taxable year for which an offset is claimed and computed without regard to
sub. (2) (a) 8. and
9. and this subsection and limited to the amount of net income, but no loss incurred for a taxable year before taxable year 1987 by a nonprofit service plan of sickness care under
ch. 148, dental care under
s. 447.13 or prepaid optometric service plans under
s. 449.15 may be treated as a net business loss of the successor service insurer under
ch. 613 operating by virtue of
s. 148.03,
447.13 or
449.15.
71.45(5)
(5) Exceptions. The net income of a cooperative sickness care association organized under
s. 185.981, or of a service insurance corporation organized under
ch. 613, that is derived from a health maintenance organization, as defined in
s. 609.01 (2), or a limited service health organization, as defined in
s. 609.01 (3), is the net income that would be determined if the cooperative sickness care association or service insurance corporation were subject to federal income taxation and as if that income were that of an insurance company.
71.45(6)
(6) Partnerships and limited liability companies. 71.45(6)(a)(a) A general or limited partner's share of the numerator and denominator of a partnership's apportionment factors under this section are included in the numerator and denominator of the general or limited partner's apportionment factors under this section.
71.45(6)(b)
(b) If a limited liability company is treated as a partnership, for federal tax purposes, a member's share of the numerator and denominator of a limited liability company's apportionment factors under this section are included in the numerator and denominator of the member's apportionment factors under this section.
71.45 History
History: 1987 a. 312;
1989 a. 31,
336,
359;
1991 a. 37,
39,
269;
1993 a. 16,
112,
263,
437;
1995 a. 27,
56,
371,
380;
1997 a. 27,
37,
237;
1999 a. 9,
65;
1999 a. 150 s.
672;
1999 a. 167,
194;
2001 a. 16,
38,
109.
71.46
71.46
Rates of taxation. 71.46(1)(1) The taxes to be assessed, levied and collected upon Wisconsin net incomes of corporations shall be computed at the rate of 7.9%.
71.46(2)
(2) The corporation franchise tax imposed under
s. 71.43 (2) and measured by Wisconsin net income shall be computed at the rate of 7.9%.
71.46(3)
(3) The tax imposed under this subchapter on each domestic insurer on or measured by its entire net income attributable to lines of insurance in this state may not exceed 2% of the gross premiums, as defined in
s. 76.62, received during the taxable year by the insurer on all policies on those lines of insurance if the subject of that insurance was resident, located or to be performed in this state plus 7.9% of the income that is realized from the sale of or purchase and subsequent sale or redemption of lottery prizes if the winning tickets were originally bought in this state.
71.46 History
History: 1987 a. 312;
1999 a. 9.
71.47(1)(1)
Community development finance credit. 71.47(1)(a)(a) Any corporation which contributes an amount to the community development finance authority under s.
233.03, 1985 stats., or to the housing and economic development authority under s.
234.03 (32) and in the same year purchases common stock or partnership interests of the community development finance company issued under s.
233.05 (2), 1985 stats., or
s. 234.95 (2) in an amount no greater than the contribution to the authority, may credit against taxes otherwise due an amount equal to 75% of the purchase price of the stock or partnership interests. The credit received under this paragraph may not exceed 75% of the contribution to the community development finance authority.
71.47(1)(b)
(b) Any corporation receiving a credit under this subsection may carry forward to the next succeeding 15 taxable years the amount of the credit not offset against taxes for the year of purchase to the extent not offset by those taxes otherwise due in all intervening years between the year for which the credit was computed and the year for which the carry-forward is claimed.
71.47(1)(c)
(c) A claimant who has filed a timely claim under this subsection may file an amended claim with the department of revenue within 4 years of the last day prescribed by law for filing the original claim.
71.47(1dd)
(1dd) Development zones day care credit. 71.47(1dd)(a)1.
1. "Day care center benefits" means benefits provided at a day care facility that is licensed under
s. 48.65 or
48.69 and that for compensation provides care for at least 6 children or benefits provided at a facility for persons who are physically incapable of caring for themselves.
71.47(1dd)(a)2.
2. "Employment-related day care expenses" means amounts paid or incurred by a claimant, during the 2-year period beginning with the day that the member of the targeted group begins work for the claimants for providing or making day care center benefits available to a qualifying individual in order to enable a member of a targeted group to be employed by the claimant.
71.47(1dd)(a)5.
5. "Qualifying individual" means a dependent of a member of a targeted group who is employed by a claimant and with respect to whom the member is entitled to a deduction under section
151 (c) of the internal revenue code for federal income tax purposes, a dependent of a member of a targeted group who is employed by a claimant if the dependent is physically or mentally incapable of caring for himself or herself or the spouse of a member of a targeted group who is employed by the claimant if the spouse is physically or mentally incapable of caring for himself or herself.
71.47(1dd)(b)
(b) Except as provided in
s. 73.03 (35), for any taxable year for which that person is certified under
s. 560.765 (3) and begins business operations in a zone under
s. 560.71 after July 29, 1995, or certified under
s. 560.797 (4) (a), for each zone for which the person is certified or entitled a person may credit against taxes otherwise due under this subchapter employment-related day care expenses, up to $1,200 for each qualifying individual.
71.47(1dd)(dm)
(dm) No credit may be allowed under this subsection unless the claimant includes with the claimant's return a statement from the department of commerce verifying the amount of qualifying employment-related day care expenses.
71.47(1dd)(e)
(e) No credit may be claimed under this subsection for taxable years that begin on January 1, 1998, or thereafter. Credits under this subsection for taxable years that begin before January 1, 1998, may be carried forward to taxable years that begin on January 1, 1998, or thereafter.
71.47(1de)
(1de) Development zones environmental remediation credit.
