Chapter 73

73.0301(2)(a) (a) Each licensing department and the supreme court, if the supreme court agrees, shall enter into a memorandum of understanding with the department of revenue under sub. (4) (a) that requires the licensing department or supreme court to do all of the following:

73.0301(2)(a)1. 1. Request the department of revenue to certify whether an applicant for a license or license renewal or continuation is liable for delinquent taxes. With respect to an applicant for a license granted by a credentialing board, the department of safety and professional services shall make a request under this subdivision. This subdivision does not apply to the department of transportation with respect to licenses described in sub. (1) (d) 7.

73.0301(2)(a)2. 2. Request the department of revenue to certify whether a license holder is liable for delinquent taxes. With respect to a holder of a license granted by a credentialing board, the department of safety and professional services shall make a request under this subdivision.

73.0301(2)(b) (b) Each licensing department and the supreme court, if the supreme court agrees, shall do all of the following:

73.0301(2)(b)1. 1.

73.0301(2)(b)1.a. a. If, after a request is made under par. (a) 1. or 2., the department of revenue certifies that the license holder or applicant for a license or license renewal or continuation is liable for delinquent taxes, revoke the license or deny the application for the license or license renewal or continuation. The department of transportation may suspend licenses described in sub. (1) (d) 7. in lieu of revoking those licenses. A suspension, revocation or denial under this subd. 1. a. is not subject to administrative review or, except as provided in subd. 2. and sub. (5) (am), judicial review. With respect to a license granted by a credentialing board, the department of safety and professional services shall make a revocation or denial under this subd. 1. a. With respect to a license to practice law, the department of revenue shall not submit a certification under this subd. 1. a. to the supreme court until after the license holder or applicant has exhausted his or her remedies under sub. (5) (a) and (am) or has failed to make use of such remedies.

73.0301(2)(b)1.b. b. Send a notice of suspension, revocation, or denial under subd. 1. a. to the license holder or applicant. The notice shall include a statement of the facts that warrant the suspension, revocation, or denial and a statement that the license holder or applicant may, within 30 days after the date on which the notice of denial, suspension, or revocation is sent, file a written request with the department of revenue to have the certification of tax delinquency on which the suspension, revocation, or denial is based reviewed at a hearing under sub. (5) (a). With respect to a license granted by a credentialing board, the department of safety and professional services shall send a notice under this subd. 1. b. With respect to a license to practice law, the department of revenue shall send a notice under this subd. 1. b., and the notice shall indicate that the license holder or applicant may request a hearing under sub. (5) (a) and (am) and that the department of revenue shall submit a certificate of delinquency to suspend, revoke, or deny a license to practice law to the supreme court after the license holder or applicant has exhausted his or her remedies under sub. (5) (a) and (am) or has failed to make use of such remedies. A notice sent to a person who holds a license to practice law or who is an applicant for a license to practice law shall also indicate that the department of revenue may not submit a certificate of delinquency to the supreme court if the license holder or applicant pays the delinquent tax in full or enters into an agreement with the department of revenue to satisfy the delinquency.

73.0301(2)(b)2. 2. Except as provided in subd. 2m., if notified by the department of revenue that the department of revenue has affirmed a certification of tax delinquency after a hearing under sub. (5) (a), affirm a suspension, revocation or denial under subd. 1. a. A license holder or applicant may seek judicial review under ss. 227.52 to 227.60, except that the review shall be in the circuit court for Dane County, of an affirmation of a revocation or denial under this subdivision. With respect to a license granted by a credentialing board, the department of safety and professional services shall make an affirmation under this subdivision.

73.0301(2)(b)2m. 2m. With respect to a license to practice law, if notified by the department of revenue that the department of revenue has affirmed a certification of tax delinquency after any requested review under sub. (5) (a) and (am), decide whether to suspend, revoke, or deny a license to practice law.

73.0301(2)(b)3. 3. If a person submits a nondelinquency certificate issued under sub. (5) (b) 1., reinstate the license or grant the application for the license or license renewal or continuation, unless there are other grounds for suspending or revoking the license or for denying the application for the license or license renewal or continuation. If reinstatement is required under this subdivision, a person is not required to submit a new application or other material or to take a new test. No separate fee may be charged for reinstatement of a license under this subdivision. With respect to a license granted by a credentialing board, the department of safety and professional services shall reinstate a license or grant an application under this subdivision.

73.0301(2)(b)4. 4. If a person whose license has been suspended or revoked or whose application for a license or license renewal or continuation has been denied under subd. 1. a. submits a nondelinquency certificate issued under sub. (3) (a) 2., reinstate the license or grant the person’s application for the license or license renewal or continuation, unless there are other grounds for not reinstating the license or for denying the application for the license or license renewal or continuation. With respect to a license granted by a credentialing board, the department of safety and professional services shall reinstate a license or grant an application under this subdivision.

73.0301(2)(c) (c)

73.0301(2)(c)1. 1. Each licensing department and the supreme court may require a holder of a license to provide the following information upon request:

73.0301(2)(c)1.a. a. If the license holder is an individual and has a social security number, the license holder’s social security number.

73.0301(2)(c)1.am. am. If the applicant is an individual and does not have a social security number, a statement made or subscribed under oath or affirmation that the applicant does not have a social security number. The form of the statement shall be prescribed by the department of children and families. A license issued in reliance upon a false statement submitted under this subd. 1. am. is invalid.

73.0301(2)(c)1.b. b. If the license holder is not an individual, the license holder’s federal employer identification number.

73.0301(2)(c)2. 2. A licensing department may not disclose any information received under subd. 1. a. or b. to any person except to the department of revenue for the purpose of requesting certifications under par. (a) 1. or 2. in accordance with the memorandum of understanding under sub. (4) and administering state taxes, to the department of workforce development for the purpose of requesting certifications under s. 108.227 (2) (a) 1. or 2. in accordance with the memorandum of understanding under s. 108.227 (4) and administering the unemployment insurance program, and to the department of children and families for the purpose of administering s. 49.22.

73.0301(3) (3) Duties and powers of department of revenue.

73.0301(3)(a) (a) The department of revenue shall do all of the following:

73.0301(3)(a)1. 1. Enter into a memorandum of understanding with each licensing department and the supreme court, if the supreme court agrees, under sub. (4) (a).

73.0301(3)(a)2. 2. Upon the request of any applicant for issuance, renewal, continuation or reinstatement of a license whose license has been previously revoked or whose application for a license or license renewal or continuation has been previously denied under sub. (2) (b) 1. a., issue a nondelinquency certificate to the applicant if the applicant is not liable for delinquent taxes.

73.0301(3)(b) (b) If a request for certification is made under sub. (2) (a) 1. or 2., the department of revenue may, in accordance with a memorandum of understanding entered into under par. (a) 1., certify to the licensing department or the supreme court that the applicant or license holder is liable for delinquent taxes.

73.0301(4) (4) Memorandum of understanding.

73.0301(4)(a) (a) Each memorandum of understanding shall include procedures that do all of the following:

73.0301(4)(a)1. 1. Establish requirements for making requests under sub. (2) (a) 1. and 2., including specifying the time when a licensing department or the supreme court shall make requests under sub. (2) (a) 1. and 2., and for making certifications under sub. (3) (b).

73.0301(4)(a)2. 2. Implement the requirements specified in sub. (2) (b) 3. and 4.

73.0301(4)(b) (b) Factors such as the need to issue licenses in a timely manner, the convenience of applicants, the impact on collecting delinquent taxes, the effects on program administration and whether a suspension, revocation or denial under sub. (2) (b) 1. a. will have an impact on public health, safety or welfare or the environment shall be considered in establishing requirements under par. (a) 1.

73.0301(5) (5) Hearing.

73.0301(5)(a) (a) The department of revenue shall conduct a hearing requested by a license holder or applicant for a license or license renewal or continuation under sub. (2) (b) 1. b. or by an applicant for certification or recertification or a certificate holder under s. 73.03 (50) or 73.09 (7m) (b) to review a certification or determination of tax delinquency that is the basis of a denial or revocation of a license in accordance with this section or of a certificate, certification or recertification under s. 73.03 (50) or 73.09 (7m). A hearing under this paragraph is limited to questions of mistaken identity of the license or certificate holder or applicant and of prior payment of the delinquent taxes for which the department of revenue certified or determined the license or certificate holder or applicant is liable. At a hearing under this paragraph, any statement filed by the department of revenue, the licensing department or the supreme court, if the supreme court agrees, may be admitted into evidence and is prima facie evidence of the facts that it contains. Notwithstanding ch. 227, a person entitled to a hearing under this paragraph is not entitled to any other notice, hearing or review, except as provided in par. (am) and sub. (2) (b) 2.

73.0301(5)(am) (am) If a person who holds a license to practice law or who is an applicant for a license to practice law receives a hearing under par. (a) to review a certification or determination of tax delinquency that is the basis for a denial, suspension, or revocation of a license to practice law and such certification or determination is affirmed as a result of the hearing under par. (a), the person may seek judicial review of the certification or determination of tax delinquency under ss. 227.52 to 227.60, except that the review shall be in the circuit court for Dane County.

73.0301(5)(b) (b) After a hearing conducted under par. (a) or, in the case of a determination related to a license to practice law, after a hearing under par. (a) or, if the hearing is appealed, after judicial review under par. (am), the department of revenue shall do one of the following:

73.0301(5)(b)1. 1. Issue a nondelinquency certificate to a license holder or an applicant for a license or license renewal or continuation if the department determines that the license holder or applicant is not liable for delinquent taxes. For a hearing requested by an applicant for certification or recertification or a certificate holder under s. 73.03 (50) or 73.09 (7m) (b), the department shall grant a certification or recertification or reinstate a certification if the department determines that the applicant or certificate holder is not liable for delinquent taxes, unless there are other grounds for denying the application or revoking the certification.

73.0301(5)(b)2. 2. Provide notice that the department of revenue has affirmed its certification of tax delinquency to a license holder; to an applicant for a license, a license renewal or a license continuation; and to the licensing department or the supreme court, if the supreme court agrees. For a hearing requested by an applicant for certification or recertification or a certificate holder under s. 73.03 (50), or 73.09 (7m) (b), the department of revenue shall provide notice to the applicant or certificate holder that the department of revenue has affirmed its determination of tax delinquency.

73.0301 History History: 1997 a. 237 ss. 301, 307, 532; 1999 a. 9, 31, 32, 186; 2001 a. 56; 2005 a. 25; 2007 a. 1; 2007 a. 20 ss. 2155 to 2158, 9121 (6) (a); 2007 a. 130, 196; 2009 a. 2, 3, 185, 344, 405; 2011 a. 32; 2013 a. 20, 36; 2013 a. 173 s. 33; 2013 a. 357; 2015 a. 55, 118, 258; 2017 a. 324, 331; 2021 a. 232; 2023 a. 131, 267.

73.0302 73.0302 Liability for delinquent taxes.

73.0302(1) (1) If the department of revenue determines that an applicant for certification or recertification under s. 73.03 (50) or a person who holds a certificate issued under s. 73.03 (50) is liable for delinquent taxes, as defined in s. 73.0301 (1) (c), the department of revenue may deny the application or revoke the certificate. Except as provided in sub. (3), a denial or revocation under this subsection is not subject to judicial review.

73.0302(2) (2) If the department of revenue denies an application or revokes a certificate under sub. (1), the department shall send a notice of denial or revocation to the applicant or certificate holder. The notice shall include a statement of the facts that warrant the denial or revocation and a statement that the applicant or certificate holder may, within 30 days after the date on which the notice of denial or revocation is sent, file a written request with the department to have the determination that he or she is liable for delinquent taxes reviewed at a hearing under s. 73.0301 (5) (a).

73.0302(3) (3) If, after a hearing under s. 73.0301 (5) (a), the department of revenue affirms a determination under sub. (1) that an applicant or certificate holder is liable for delinquent taxes, the department shall affirm its denial or revocation. An applicant or certificate holder may seek judicial review under ch. 227 in the circuit court for Dane County of an affirmation by the department of a denial or revocation under this subsection.

73.0302(4) (4) If, after a hearing under s. 73.0301 (5) (a), the department of revenue determines that a person whose certificate is revoked under sub. (1) is not liable for delinquent taxes, as defined in s. 73.0301 (1) (c), the department shall reinstate the certificate. The department may not charge a fee for reinstatement of a certificate under this subsection.

73.0302 History History: 1997 a. 237; 2017 a. 324.

73.0303 73.0303 Personal renewable fuel production. The department may not require a person to obtain a business tax registration certificate related to the production or use of renewable fuel that is exempt under s. 78.01 (2n) from the tax imposed under s. 78.01 (1).

73.0303 History History: 2009 a. 401.

73.0305 73.0305 Revenue limits calculations. The department of revenue shall determine and certify to the state superintendent of public instruction, at the superintendent’s request, the allowable rate of increase under subch. VII of ch. 121. The allowable rate of increase is the percentage change, if not negative, in the consumer price index for all urban consumers, U.S. city average, between the preceding March 31 and the 2nd preceding March 31, as computed by the federal department of labor.

73.0305 History History: 1993 a. 16; 1995 a. 27; 1997 a. 27; 1999 a. 9; 2001 a. 16; 2009 a. 28; 2021 a. 1.

73.0306 73.0306 Disregarded entities. With regard to a single-owner entity that is disregarded as a separate entity under section 7701 of the Internal Revenue Code, any notice that the department of revenue sends to the owner or to the entity is considered a notice sent to both and both are liable for any amounts due as specified in the notice. This section applies to all laws administered by the department.

73.0306 History History: 2017 a. 58.

73.031 73.031 Arrest powers; authority. A special agent of the department of revenue who has been certified as a law enforcement officer by the law enforcement standards board and who is on duty may arrest a person under the conditions set forth in s. 968.07. Pursuant to s. 175.38, special agents may investigate violations of s. 945.03 (2m), 945.04 (2m), or 945.05 (1m) in a case in which the department determines that the video gambling machine involved is likely to be used in connection with a violation of s. 945.03 (2m) or 945.04 (2m). A special agent acting under this section is an employee of the department and is subject to its direction, benefits and legal protection.

73.031 History History: 1991 a. 39; 2003 a. 33; 2023 a. 73.

73.035 73.035 Private letter rulings.

73.035(1) (1) In this section, “department” means the department of revenue.

73.035(2) (2) Upon receipt of a request, in the form prescribed by the department, from a person who requests a ruling about facts relating to a tax that the department administers, the department may issue a private letter ruling. Rulings under this section:

73.035(2)(a) (a) May be published if the department decides to do so.

73.035(2)(b) (b) May be edited by the requester as to types of information specified by the department, if that editing is submitted to the department before the deadline that the department establishes and if the department approves the editing.

73.035(2)(c) (c) Do not bind the requester.

73.035(2)(d) (d) May not be appealed.

73.035(2)(e) (e) Do not preclude application for a declaratory ruling under s. 227.41.

73.035(3) (3) Any person who receives a ruling under this section shall attach a copy of it to all of that person’s tax returns to which it is relevant.

73.035(4) (4) Rulings under this section and all information related to them are subject to the confidentiality provisions for the tax relevant to the request, except that if a ruling has been edited under sub. (2) (b), or the deadline for editing set by the department has expired, and if the ruling has been published by the department, the published rulings are not subject to those confidentiality provisions.

73.035(5) (5) The department’s decision not to issue, or not to publish, a ruling under this section may not be appealed.

73.035 History History: 1987 a. 399.

73.04 73.04 Hearings, witnesses.

73.04(1) (1) Contempts. If any person unlawfully fails to obey any subpoena to appear before the department of revenue or before the tax appeals commission, or unlawfully refuses to testify, such failure or refusal shall be reported to the attorney general and the department of justice shall institute contempt proceedings against such person.

73.04(2) (2) Fees. Officers who serve subpoenas, and witnesses attending hearings at the instance of the department, shall receive like compensation as officers and witnesses in the circuit court. Such compensation shall be charged to the proper appropriation for the department of revenue.

73.04(3) (3) Special investigations. The department of revenue may appoint any employee to act for it to investigate and make report to the department upon any matter upon which the department is required to act, and such employee shall have authority to hold hearings, administer oaths, take testimony and perform all other duties necessary to bring such matter before the department for final adjudication and determination.

73.04 Annotation A taxpayer subpoenaed by the Department of Revenue has limited discovery rights. State v. Beno, 99 Wis. 2d 77, 298 N.W.2d 405 (Ct. App. 1980).

73.05 73.05 Assessment districts; supervisors; duties.

73.05(1) (1) The state shall be divided into income assessment districts, property assessment districts, by the department of revenue, but in no instance shall a county be divided.

73.05(2) (2) The department of revenue shall select and appoint a supervisor of equalization for each property assessment district in the state. Each supervisor shall be a citizen and an elector of this state, but need not be a resident of the district in which appointed to serve. So far as practicable, preference shall be given in making such appointments to residents of the districts.

73.05(3) (3) The department may transfer any supervisor of equalization from one district to another.

73.05 History History: 1973 c. 90; 1977 c. 29 s. 1647 (15); 1977 c. 143, 272; 1981 c. 20; 1983 a. 275 s. 15 (3).

73.05 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ss. Tax 1.01, 12.06, and 12.07, Wis. adm. code.

73.06 73.06 Supervision of assessments; supervisors; appointments and duties.

73.06(1) (1) The department of revenue, through its supervisors of equalization, shall have complete supervision and direction of the work of the local assessors. It shall annually, or more often if deemed necessary at a time which in its judgment is best calculated to obtain the ends sought, call a meeting of all local assessors for conference and instruction relative to their duties in the valuation and assessment of property. The department of revenue may also call a similar meeting of local clerks and other officials for conference and instruction relative to their duties in the valuation and assessment of property. Each official upon notice by mail from the supervisor shall attend the meeting, and shall receive travel expenses from his or her residence to the meeting site and return and the compensation and mileage that the board establishes, but not less than $5 per day and 6 cents per mile; except that in counties having a population of 750,000 or more, no compensation, travel expense or mileage shall be allowed. This compensation shall be paid out of the treasury of the county in which the local official resides upon the certificate of the supervisor of equalization showing attendance and travel, as certificates of witnesses and jurors are paid.

73.06(2) (2) The department of revenue, through its supervisors of equalization shall have access to all public records, books, papers and offices throughout each district and shall make a full and complete examination of them and investigate all other matters and subjects relative to the assessment and taxation of general property therein.

73.06(3) (3) The department of revenue, through its supervisors of equalization, shall examine and test the work of assessors during the progress of their assessments and ascertain whether any of them is assessing property at other than full value or is omitting property subject to taxation from the roll. The department and such supervisors shall have the rights and powers of a local assessor for the examination of persons and property and for the discovery of property subject to taxation. If any property has been omitted or not assessed according to law, they shall bring the same to the attention of the local assessor of the proper district and if such local assessor shall neglect or refuse to correct the assessment they shall report the fact to the board of review. All disputes between the department, municipalities, and property owners about the taxability or value of the property under s. 70.995 (12r) shall be resolved by using the procedures under s. 70.995 (8).

73.06(4) (4) If the department of revenue ascertains, or has good reason to believe, that any assessor is guilty of a violation of law, it may make a complaint to the circuit court for the removal of the assessor. The district attorney shall attend and prosecute the proceedings for removal.

73.06(5) (5) The department of revenue through its supervisor of equalization shall make a report to the county board of each county showing in detail the work of local assessors in their several districts, the failure, if any, of such assessors to comply with the law, the relative assessed and full value of property in each taxation district, and all information and statistics that may be obtained. Such report shall be filed with the county clerk at least 15 days before the annual meeting of the county board.

73.06(7) (7) The department of revenue shall call a meeting of the supervisors of equalization at the capitol at a specified time in each year, for a conference on the subjects of taxation and the administration of the laws, and for the instruction of such officers in their duties.

73.06(8) (8) For purposes of this section “local assessor” includes the county assessors under s. 70.99.

73.06 History History: 1973 c. 90; 1977 c. 449; 1981 c. 20; 1983 a. 275 ss. 11, 15 (3) to (6); 1983 a. 538 s. 269 (3); 1987 a. 399; 1997 a. 237; 2001 a. 16; 2017 a. 59; 2017 a. 207 s. 5.

73.06 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See s. 17.14 on removal of assessors from office.

73.06 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ss. Tax 12.06 and 12.07, Wis. adm. code.

73.06 Annotation The statutory duties under subs. (1) to (3) and s. 73.03 (3), (4), and (9) to (12) are broad grants of investigative and prosecutorial authority and are not the types of activities that can be compelled by mandamus, as each of these duties requires the Department of Revenue to use discretion, even if the existence of a violation is clear. In the area of criminal and civil investigative and enforcement activities, government actors invariably employ discretion so as to make those activities not amenable to mandamus relief absent a statute compelling a specific action under a specific set of facts. Klein v. DOR, 2020 WI App 56, 394 Wis. 2d 66, 949 N.W.2d 608, 18-1133.

73.07 73.07 District offices, supplies, expenses.

73.07(1) (1) Office furniture and equipment furnished to income assessment district and branch offices by counties prior to July 1, 1986, shall remain in those offices until the department of revenue determines that the furniture and equipment are no longer needed.

73.07(2) (2) Office furniture and equipment furnished to supervisors of equalization prior to January 1, 1974, shall continue to be furnished until no longer required by them.

73.07(3) (3) The county board of any county shall provide rooms for the use of the tax appeals commission upon the request of the chairperson of the commission. Hearings of the commission may also be held in the department’s district income tax office when the chairperson of the commission deems it advisable.

73.07 History History: 1971 c. 42; 1973 c. 90; 1977 c. 143; 1979 c. 110 s. 60 (13); 1983 a. 275 s. 15 (4); 1983 a. 538 s. 269 (3); 1985 a. 29; 1993 a. 184.

73.09 73.09 Assessor certification.