Chapter 77

77.54(59) (59) The sales price from the sales of and the storage, use, or other consumption of advertising and promotional direct mail.

77.54(60) (60) 

77.54(60)(b) (b) The sales price from the sale of and the storage, use, or other consumption of products that are sold by a prime contractor as part of a construction contract, if the total sales price of all products is less than 10 percent of the total amount of the construction contract. Except as provided in par. (c), the prime contractor is the consumer of the products and shall pay the tax imposed under this subchapter on the products.

77.54(60)(bm) (bm)

77.54(60)(bm)1. 1. The sales price from the sale of and the storage, use, or other consumption of products that are sold by a subcontractor to a prime contractor, or to another subcontractor for eventual sale to the prime contractor, as part of a construction contract, if any of the following applies:

77.54(60)(bm)1.a. a. The total sales price of all products is less than 10 percent of the total amount of the construction contract.

77.54(60)(bm)1.b. b. The products will be sold by the prime contractor as part of a construction contract, and that sale is exempt under par. (b).

77.54(60)(bm)2. 2. Except as provided in par. (c), the subcontractor is the consumer of the products exempted under this paragraph and shall pay the tax imposed under this subchapter on the products.

77.54(60)(c) (c) If the construction contract under par. (b) is between a prime contractor and an entity that is exempt from taxation under sub. (9a), all of the following apply:

77.54(60)(c)1. 1. The prime contractor is the consumer of all products used by the prime contractor in real property construction activities, but the prime contractor may purchase without tax, for resale, products that are sold by the prime contractor to the entity as part of the construction contract and that are not consumed by the prime contractor in real property construction activities.

77.54(60)(c)2. 2. A subcontractor of the prime contractor is the consumer of all products used by the subcontractor in real property construction activities, but the subcontractor may purchase without tax, for resale, products that are sold by the subcontractor to the prime contractor or another subcontractor, as part of the subcontractor’s construction contract under par. (bm), for resale to the entity and that are not consumed by the subcontractor in real property construction activities.

77.54(60)(d) (d) In this subsection:

77.54(60)(d)1. 1. “Construction contract” means a contract to perform real property construction activities and to provide products.

77.54(60)(d)2. 2. “Prime contractor” means a contractor who enters into a construction contract with an owner or lessee of real property, except for leased property under s. 77.52 (1) (c), to perform real property construction activities on the real property.

77.54(60)(d)3. 3. “Subcontractor” means a contractor who enters into a construction contract with a prime contractor or another subcontractor.

77.54(61) (61) The sales price from the sale to, and the storage, use, or other consumption by, a person primarily engaged, as determined by the department, in commercial printing, book printing, or support activities for printing described under 323111, 323117, and 323120 of the North American Industry Classification System, of any of the following:

77.54(61)(a) (a) Computers and servers used primarily to store copies of the product that are sent to a digital printer, a platemaking machine, or a printing press or used primarily in prepress or postpress activities.

77.54(61)(b) (b) Tangible personal property purchased from out-of-state sellers that are temporarily stored, remain idle, and not used in this state and that are then delivered and used solely outside of this state.

77.54(61)(c) (c) In this subsection:

77.54(61)(c)1. 1. “Postpress activities” include paper bronzing, die-cutting, edging, embossing, folding, gilding, gluing, and indexing.

77.54(61)(c)2. 2. “Prepress activities” include making print-ready plates, typesetting, trade binding, and sample mounting.

77.54(61)(c)3. 3. “Temporarily” means not more than 180 days.

77.54(62) (62) The sales price from the sale of and the storage, use, or other consumption of farm-raised deer, as defined in s. 95.001 (1) (ag), sold to a person who is operating a hunting preserve or game farm in this state.

77.54(62m) (62m) The sales price from the sale of building materials, supplies, and equipment and the sale of services described in s. 77.52 (2) (a) 20. to; and the storage, use, or other consumption of the same property and services by; owners, lessees, contractors, subcontractors, or builders if that property or service is acquired solely for or used solely in, the construction or development of sports and entertainment arena facilities, as defined in s. 229.41 (11g), but not later than one year after the secretary of administration issues the certification under s. 229.42 (4e) (d).

77.54(63) (63) The sales price from the sale of and the storage, use, or other consumption of music sold in a tangible form to a person in the business of providing a taxable service through a jukebox if the music is used exclusively for the jukebox. For purposes of this subsection, music sold in a tangible form is a separate sale from the jukebox through which the music is played if the sales price of such property is separately indicated from the sales price of the jukebox on the invoice, bill of sale, or similar document that the seller gives to the purchaser.

77.54(64) (64) The sales price from the sale of and the storage, use, or other consumption of patient health care records that are sold to the patient or to a person that the patient authorizes to receive the records.

77.54(65) (65) The sales price from the sale of building materials, supplies, and equipment and the sale of services described in s. 77.52 (2) (a) 20. to; and the storage, use, or other consumption of the same property and services by; owners, lessees, contractors, subcontractors, or builders if that property or service is acquired solely for or used solely in, the construction or development of facilities located in an electronics and information technology manufacturing zone designated under s. 238.396 (1m) and if the capital expenditures for the construction or development of such facilities may be claimed as a credit under s. 71.07 (3wm) (bm) or 71.28 (3wm) (bm), as certified by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation.

77.54(65m) (65m) 

77.54(65m)(a) (a) The sales price from the sale of and the storage, use, or other consumption of the following:

77.54(65m)(a)1. 1. A video or electronic game sold in a tangible form to a person in the business of providing a taxable service through an amusement device if the video or electronic game is used exclusively for the amusement device. For purposes of this subdivision, a video or electronic game sold in a tangible form is a separate sale from the amusement device through which the video or electronic game is played if the sales price of the video or electronic game is separately indicated from the sales price of the amusement device on the invoice, bill of sale, or similar document that the seller gives to the purchaser.

77.54(65m)(a)2. 2. Tangible personal property sold to a person in the business of providing a taxable service through an amusement device if the tangible personal property is used exclusively as a prize awarded or transferred through the use of the amusement device.

77.54(65m)(a)3. 3. Tournament or league entrance fees advertised and set aside as prize money.

77.54(65m)(b) (b) For purposes of this subsection, “amusement device” means a single or multiplayer device, machine, or game played for amusement, the outcome of which depends at least in part on the skill, precision, dexterity, or knowledge of the person playing, but not predominantly on the element of chance. “Amusement device” includes a pinball machine, console machine, crane machine, claw machine, redemption game, stacker, arcade game, foosball or soccer table game, miniature racetrack or football machine, target or shooting gallery machine, basketball machine, shuffleboard table, kiddie ride game, Skee-Ball machine, air hockey machine, dart board, pool table, billiard table, or any other similar device, machine, or game. “Amusement device” does not include any device, machine, or game that is illegal to operate within this state.

77.54(66) (66) The sales price from the sale of and the storage, use, or other consumption of farm-raised fish, as defined in s. 95.001 (1) (ah), sold to a fish farm, as defined in s. 95.001 (1) (aj), that is registered with the department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection under s. 95.60 (3m), or to a person who holds a valid permit under s. 29.736 for the stocking of fish.

77.54(68) (68) 

77.54(68)(a) (a) The sales price from the sale of and the use or other consumption of a service provided by an electric cooperative to another electric cooperative, or by a telecommunications utility to another telecommunications utility, for disaster relief work performed during a disaster period.

77.54(68)(b) (b) In this subsection:

77.54(68)(b)2. 2. “Disaster period” means the time that begins 10 days before a state of emergency and ends 60 days after the state of emergency ends.

77.54(68)(b)3. 3. “Disaster relief work” means work, including repairing, renovating, installing, building, or performing other services or activities, relating to infrastructure in this state that has been damaged, impaired, or destroyed in connection with a state of emergency.

77.54(68)(b)4. 4. “Electric cooperative” has the meaning given in s. 76.48 (1g) (c).

77.54(68)(b)4m. 4m. “State of emergency” means the time when an electric cooperative wishing to receive services from another electric cooperative or a telecommunications utility wishing to receive services from another telecommunications utility invokes a mutual aid agreement and at least 20 percent of the electrical or telecommunications system is nonoperational.

77.54(68)(b)5. 5. “Telecommunications utility” has the meaning given in s. 196.01 (10).

77.54(69) (69) 

77.54(69)(a) (a) The sales price from the sale of tangible personal property that is stored in this state for not more than 120 days, if the property is to be used in fulfillment of a real property construction activity that occurs solely outside of this state at a nonprofit organization, a public school district, or a business district where business tax incentives have been granted and is used by a person engaged in an activity classified as construction under sector 23 of the North American Industry Classification System, 2017 edition, published by the federal office of management and budget, including property that is altered by converting, fabricating, manufacturing, printing, processing, or shaping before its use outside of this state.

77.54(69)(b) (b) The exemption under this subsection does not apply to tangible personal property that is stored in this state, leaves this state, and then is subsequently returned to this state.

77.54(70) (70) 

77.54(70)(a) (a) The sales price from the sale of and the storage, use, or other consumption of tangible personal property, regardless of whether the property is affixed to or incorporated into real property, and property under s. 77.52 (1) (c), used exclusively for the development, construction, renovation, expansion, replacement, repair, or operation of a qualified data center, as defined in s. 238.40 (1) (b), and used solely at the qualified data center, including computer server equipment and the chassis for such equipment; networking equipment; switches; racks; fiber-optic cabling, copper cabling, and other cabling, including cabling used to connect one or more qualified data centers; trays; conduit; substations; uninterruptible energy equipment; supplies; fuel piping and storage; duct banks; switches; switchboards; batteries; testing equipment; backup generation equipment; modular data centers and preassembled components; monitoring equipment; security systems; and electricity.

77.54(70)(b) (b) The sales price from the sales of and the storage, use, or other consumption of tangible personal property or property under s. 77.52 (1) (c) used in the development, construction, renovation, expansion, replacement, or repair of a water cooling or conservation system used exclusively to cool or conserve water for one or more qualified data centers, as defined in s. 238.40 (1) (b), including chillers, mechanical equipment, refrigerant piping, fuel piping and storage, adiabatic and free cooling systems, cooling towers, water softeners, air handling units, indoor direct exchange units, fans, ducting, and filters.

77.54(70)(c) (c) The sales price from the sale of and the storage, use, or other consumption of tangible personal property or property under s. 77.52 (1) (c) sold to a construction contractor that, in fulfillment of a real property construction activity, transfers the tangible personal property or property under s. 77.52 (1) (c) to a qualified data center, as defined in s. 238.40 (1) (b), if such tangible personal property or property under s. 77.52 (1) (c) becomes a component of the qualified data center.

77.54(71) (71) 

77.54(71)(a) (a) The sales price from the sale of electricity delivered or placed by a Level 3 charger of an electric vehicle charging station, as defined in s. 77.997 (1), into the battery or other energy storage device of an electric vehicle.

77.54(71)(b) (b) The sales price from the sale of electricity delivered or placed by a Level 1 charger or a Level 2 charger installed on or after March 22, 2024, of an electric vehicle charging station, as defined in s. 77.997 (1), into the battery or other energy storage device of an electric vehicle.

77.54(72) (72) The sales price from the sale of and the storage, use, or other consumption of a membership sold to a real estate broker licensed under ch. 452 who, pursuant to the broker’s membership agreement, offers to compensate or cooperate with, or both, other real estate brokers in brokering sales of properties and who obtains access to information about real estate listings from other real estate brokers.

Effective date note NOTE: Sub. (72) is shown as amended eff. 6-1-26 by 2025 Wis. Act 108. Prior to 6-1-26 it reads:

Effective date text (72) The sales price from the sale of and the storage, use, or other consumption of a membership sold to a real estate broker licensed under ch. 452 who, pursuant to the broker’s membership agreement, offers to compensate and cooperate with other real estate brokers in brokering sales of properties and who obtains access to information about real estate listings and compensation offers from other real estate brokers.

77.54(73) (73) The sales price from the sale of and the storage, use, or other consumption of portable machinery and equipment, including accessories, attachments, parts, and supplies for such machinery and equipment, used primarily to crush, mill, produce, or pulverize asphalt, concrete, gravel, rock, or aggregate base for road or commercial surface lot construction or resurfacing.

77.54(74) (74) 

77.54(74)(a) (a) The sales price from the sale of and the use or other consumption of precious metal bullion. For purposes of this subsection, “precious metal bullion” means coins, bars, rounds, or sheets that contain at least 35 percent gold, silver, copper, platinum, or palladium and that are marked with weight, purity, and content or that a government authority minted on the basis of weight, purity, and content.

77.54(74)(b) (b) This subsection does not apply to any other tangible personal property that contains, in whole or in part, precious metal bullion, such as jewelry, works of art, scrap metal, or electronics.

77.54(75) (75) The sales price from the sale of and the storage, use, or other consumption in this state of information products containing reports, statistics, records, or other data used exclusively by an insurance company possessing a certificate of authority issued by the commissioner of insurance, whether purchased by the insurance company or an affiliate, as defined in s. 600.03 (1), or used exclusively by an insurance intermediary licensed by or subject to the jurisdiction of the commissioner of insurance, for purposes of quoting, underwriting, determining insurability, assessing risks, setting rates, or adjusting claims. The exemption under this paragraph applies regardless of whether such information products are transferred in tangible or digital form and regardless of whether the charges for such products are made on a transactional basis or through a license, subscription, or similar fee for access to the products.

77.54 History History: 1971 c. 64, 154, 215, 311; 1973 c. 90, 156, 240; 1975 c. 39, 96, 102, 146, 200; 1977 c. 29; 1977 c. 83 ss. 13, 26; 1977 c. 250, 368, 418; 1979 c. 1, 34, 87, 174; 1981 c. 20; 1981 c. 79 s. 18; 1981 c. 96 s. 67; 1981 c. 264; 1981 c. 282 s. 47; 1981 c. 317; 1983 a. 27 ss. 1284d to 1284np, 2202 (38); 1983 a. 189 ss. 101, 106, 329 (5), (12), (13); 1983 a. 192, 287, 405, 426, 498, 510, 538, 544; 1985 a. 29, 149, 332; 1987 a. 27; 1987 a. 312 s. 17; 1987 a. 399; 1989 a. 31, 238, 270, 335, 359; 1991 a. 37, 39, 269, 316; 1993 a. 16, 263, 332; 1995 a. 27, 125, 225, 227; 1997 a. 27, 35, 41, 184, 237, 291; 1999 a. 9, 65, 83; 1999 a. 150 s. 672; 1999 a. 167; 2001 a. 16, 103, 109; 2003 a. 99, 128; 2005 a. 25, 74, 141, 149, 335, 366, 479; 2007 a. 11, 19, 20, 97, 130; 2009 a. 2, 28, 185, 204, 330; 2011 a. 7, 10, 32, 208, 260; 2013 a. 20, 145, 185, 324, 346; 2015 a. 55, 60, 126, 216, 251, 364; 2017 a. 17, 58, 59, 190, 231, 290; 2017 a. 364 ss. 20, 48; 2017 a. 365 s. 111; 2017 a. 366 s. 99; 2017 a. 367; 2019 a. 181; 2021 a. 1, 130, 167; 2021 a. 238 ss. 17, 45; 2023 a. 12, 19, 40, 88, 121, 138, 141, 146, 149; 2025 a. 15, 17, 108, 118, 130.

77.54 Annotation A taxpayer in the business of processing scrap metal is engaged in manufacturing under s. 77.51 (27) [now sub. (6m)]. H. Samuels Co. v. DOR, 70 Wis. 2d 1076, 236 N.W.2d 250 (1975).

77.54 Annotation A carrier’s contract status is established under the “primary business test” if the carrier’s primary occupation is the supplying of transportation for compensation, even though the operator owns the goods at the time of transport and carries them for the purpose of sale. If, however, the operator’s primary business is manufacturing or another noncarrier commercial enterprise, a determination must be made as to whether the motor operations are in furtherance of the primary business or are conducted as a related enterprise with the purpose of profiting from the transportation. Gensler v. DOR, 70 Wis. 2d 1108, 236 N.W.2d 648 (1975).

77.54 Annotation The sale of a supper club’s furnishings and equipment was an “occasional sale” under sub. (7). Three Lions Supper Club, Ltd. v. DOR, 72 Wis. 2d 546, 241 N.W.2d 190 (1976).

77.54 Annotation Consumption of gas at interstate pipeline compressor stations in Wisconsin is protected from state use tax by the commerce clause. Midwestern Gas Transmission Co. v. DOR, 84 Wis. 2d 261, 267 N.W.2d 253 (1978).

77.54 Annotation To satisfy s. 77.51 (27) [now sub. (7h)], a change in name must be attributable to a change in the nature, purpose, and function of the article. DOR v. Bailey-Bohrman Steel Corp., 93 Wis. 2d 602, 287 N.W.2d 715 (1980).

77.54 Annotation Semitrailers are “truck bodies” under sub. (5) (a). DOR v. Trudell Trailer Sales, Inc., 104 Wis. 2d 39, 310 N.W.2d 612 (1981).

77.54 Annotation A vending machine company, which placed machines in schools and hospitals, was the “seller” of the products dispensed by its machines. Servomation Corp. v. DOR, 106 Wis. 2d 616, 317 N.W.2d 464 (1982).

77.54 Annotation Under the “use or function” test, a greenhouse was a “machine” used in floriculture under sub. (3). DOR v. Greiling, 112 Wis. 2d 602, 334 N.W.2d 118 (1983).

77.54 Annotation The exemption under sub. (9a) (f) is limited to services used by tax-exempt organizations and does not extend to services by those foundations. DOR v. EAA Aviation Foundation, Inc., 143 Wis. 2d 681, 422 N.W.2d 458 (Ct. App. 1988).

77.54 Annotation Calf hutches are not “machines” exempt from sales tax under sub. (3). L.T. Hampel Corp. v. DOR, 157 Wis. 2d 422, 459 N.W.2d 598 (Ct. App. 1990).

77.54 Annotation Motor vehicles and machinery used with motor vehicles are not used “directly” in recycling activities and are not exempt under sub. (26m). DOR v. Parks-Pioneer Corp., 170 Wis. 2d 44, 487 N.W.2d 63 (Ct. App. 1992).

77.54 Annotation The exemption for occasional sales under sub. (7) cannot apply to a seller who continues to make sales in a business after the business was sold and surrender of the sales tax permit was attempted. Carrion Corp. v. DOR, 179 Wis. 2d 254, 507 N.W.2d 356 (Ct. App. 1993).

77.54 Annotation “Merchandise” as used in sub. (6) (b) denotes commodities that are bought and sold. Luetzow Industries v. DOR, 197 Wis. 2d 916, 541 N.W.2d 810 (Ct. App. 1995).

77.54 Annotation A Mississippi River excursion boat that embarked from a Wisconsin port, crossed into out-of-state water without landing in that state, then disembarked in Wisconsin was not engaged in “interstate commerce” under sub. (13). LaCrosse Queen, Inc. v. DOR, 208 Wis. 2d 439, 561 N.W.2d 686 (1997), 95-2754.

77.54 Annotation Newspaper carriers were found not to be customers of a publisher. The sub. (6) (b) exemption for packing material was not applicable to materials used to package newspapers for delivery to the carriers. Madison Newspapers, Inc. v. DOR, 228 Wis. 2d 745, 599 N.W.2d 51 (Ct. App. 1999), 98-2980.

77.54 Annotation A corporation is a “resident of this state” under sub. (5) (a) if it is domiciled in Wisconsin and incorporated under the laws of this state. DOR v. Johnson Welding & Manufacturing Co., 2000 WI App 179, 238 Wis. 2d 243, 617 N.W.2d 193, 99-2429.

77.54 Annotation Under ss. 77.51 (15b) (a) and 77.52 (1) (a), the sales tax applies to the “sales price”—that is, the total amount of consideration paid for a sale, lease, or service, with no deductions for the seller’s or lessor’s costs. The sale of aircraft parts and maintenance, however, is exempt from sales tax under sub. (5) (a) 3. and s. 77.52 (2) (a) 10. When a lessor or lessee buys aircraft repairs or engine maintenance directly, that transaction is tax-exempt. But when a lessor passes those costs along to its lessees as part of the total amount of consideration in a lease, that transaction is taxable. When a lessor leases its aircraft, it is not selling aircraft repairs or engine maintenance. It is leasing an aircraft. Thus, the total lease price is taxable. Citation Partners, LLC v. DOR, 2023 WI 16, 406 Wis. 2d 36, 985 N.W.2d 761, 20-1683.

77.55 77.55 Exemptions from sales tax.

77.55(1) (1) There is exempted from the computation of the amount of the sales tax the sales price from the sale of any tangible personal property, or items or property under s. 77.52 (1) (b) or (c), or services to:

77.55(1)(a) (a) The United States, its unincorporated agencies and instrumentalities.

77.55(1)(b) (b) Any incorporated agency or instrumentality of the United States wholly owned by the United States or by a corporation wholly owned by the United States.

77.55(2) (2) There is exempted from the computation of the amount of the sales tax the sales price from sales of tangible personal property, and items and property under s. 77.52 (1) (b) and (c), to a common or contract carrier, shipped by the seller via the purchasing carrier under a bill of lading whether the freight is paid in advance, or the shipment is made freight charges collect, to a point outside this state and the property or item is actually transported to the out-of-state destination for use by the carrier in the conduct of its business as a carrier.

77.55(2m) (2m) There is exempted from the computation of the amount of sales tax the sales price from sales of railroad crossties to a common or contract carrier, shipped wholly or in part by way of the purchasing carrier under a bill of lading, whether the freight is paid in advance or the shipment is made freight charges collect, to a point outside this state if the property is transported to the out-of-state destination for use by the carrier in the conduct of its business as a carrier. Interruption of the shipment for storage, drying, processing or creosoting of the railroad crossties in this state does not invalidate the exemption under this subsection.

77.55(3) (3) There is exempted from the computation of the amount of the sales tax the sales price from sales of tangible personal property, and items and property under s. 77.52 (1) (b) and (c), purchased for use solely outside this state and delivered to a forwarding agent, export packer, or other person engaged in the business of preparing goods for export or arranging for their exportation, and actually delivered to a port outside the continental limits of the United States prior to making any use thereof.

77.55 History History: 1985 a. 29; 1999 a. 83; 2009 a. 2, 28.

77.56 77.56 Exemptions from use tax.

77.56(1) (1) The storage, use or other consumption in this state of tangible personal property, and items, property, and goods under s. 77.52 (1) (b), (c), and (d), the sales price from the sale of which is reported to the department in the measure of the sales tax, is exempted from the use tax.

77.56(2) (2) The loan by an automobile dealer of a motor vehicle to any school or school district for a driver training educational program conducted by the school or school district is exempt from the use tax.