Filing your Wisconsin sales tax return is simple with the state’s online system. YYou can file and pay directly through Wisconsin’s My Tax Account, as long as your business is registered with the Wisconsin Department of Revenue to collect and remit sales tax.
This guide will walk you through the step-by-step process of filing online so you can submit returns on time, avoid penalties, and stay compliant with Wisconsin’s sales tax rules.
What You Need Before Filing
Before filing your sales tax return, you must prepare specific records to ensure your report is accurate. Here are the standard documents and information required to file a sales tax return in Wisconsin.
- Wisconsin Taxpayer Account Number (Sales Tax Permit) – This unique number, assigned by the Wisconsin Department of Revenue (DOR), is required to file all sales and use tax returns. It is crucial to have this number readily available, as it identifies the business within the state’s tax system. This number can be found on your Wisconsin Sales Tax Permit document.
- My Tax Account (MTA) Log-in Details – he primary method for online filing is through the DOR’s My Tax Account portal. You need the correct username and password to access the account and begin the filing process.
- Total Sales – Gather your total revenue during the filing period. This includes all sales, whether they’re taxable or not. Even if you currently have no sales records, you’re still required to file a return.
- Taxable Sales – Compile the total taxable sales your business made within the filing period.
- Taxable Purchases – Verify the total amount of taxable purchases your business spent within the filing period. Businesses are required to self-report and remit “use tax” on purchases for which the seller did not collect the appropriate sales tax. This commonly applies to taxable items purchased from out-of-state vendors or online, where sales tax is not charged. This must be reported on the sales and use tax return.
- Local Sales Tax Report – Wisconsin requires businesses to file a local sales tax report as well. This means you must list all your sales in each city, county, or other local jurisdiction in Wisconsin. This means you must list all your sales in each county for the City of Milwaukee in Wisconsin, for example, where a local tax applies. Specifically, you must complete Schedule CT (County Sales and Use Tax Schedule) to report sales and purchases in all applicable local taxing jurisdictions.
- Bank Account and Routing Number – To pay any taxes due, businesses will need to have their bank account and routing number ready to facilitate an electronic payment via ACH direct debit from a checking or savings account.
- Filing Frequency Schedule – The state assigns a specific due date for every registered business. To find out your designated schedule, you can check your Wisconsin Sales Tax Permit document.
Step-by-Step: How to File Wisconsin Sales Tax Online
Step 1. Go to the My Tax Account website. Step 2. Enter your Account Credentials: Log in using your username and password. Check your shared email/phone number and input OTP, when applicable.
Step 3. Collect your Ecommerce Sales Tax Data (e.g., Taxes Report from Shopify).
Step 4. Under File and Pay, click File and Pay Your Return.
Step 5. In the Filing Option section, select File a Return For, choose the filing period you need to submit, and then click Next.
Step 6. Enter the Gross Sales amount for the selected period, then click Next.
Step 7. Enter the Sales Amount per City (if applicable), and click Next.
Step 8. Review the Total Tax Due and confirm that it matches the amount shown in the Tax Report. If everything is correct, click Next.
Step 9. Save the confirmation in your preferred location for recordkeeping purposes. Keeping online records using Google Drive is a common option.
Helpful tip: If the filing process is interrupted by internet issues, website downtime, or other disruptions. You can always click on “Save and Submit Later” to avoid losing your progress.
Due Dates
The Wisconsin Department of Revenue (DOR) assigns a specific filing frequency to each business upon registration based on its estimated sales tax liability. This schedule dictates how often a business must file a return and when each return is due.
| FREQUENCY | REQUIREMENT | REPORTING PERIOD | DUE DATE |
| Early Monthly | $3,601 or more per quarter | Monthly | 20th of the following month |
| Monthly | $1,200 – $3,600 per quarter | Monthly | Last day of the following month |
| Quarterly | $600 to $1,200 per year |
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| Annually | $600 or less per year |
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January 31 of the following year |
Due Date Filing Extensions
The DOR may grant a standard one-month extension for filing a return upon request. However, it is essential to understand that this extension only postpones the filing deadline, not the payment due date. Interest will still accrue on any unpaid tax at a rate of 12% per year (1% per month) from the original due date of the return until paid. In contrast to standard extensions, the state may grant disaster-related extensions for taxpayers in federally declared disaster areas. For example, in the aftermath of severe storms in 2025, the DOR and the IRS granted automatic extensions to affected taxpayers in specific counties, postponing deadlines for filing and payment. This type of relief is distinct because it typically waives both penalties and interest for the extended period.Timely Filing Discount
Wisconsin offers a tiered retailer’s discount to incentivize businesses to collect and remit sales tax on time. This discount is compensation for the administrative expenses associated with tax collection. It is automatically calculated by the online system when the return is filed and paid on time. The discount is subject to specific conditions and is not available if the return is filed late, if the taxes are delinquent, if the tax reported is solely use tax, or if a Certified Service Provider is used for filing. The discount is calculated based on the total sales tax due for the reporting period, using the following tiers for taxes payable on or after October 1, 2023:| TOTAL SALES TAX ON RETURN | REQUIREMENT |
| $0 – $10 | Equal to the total sales tax |
| $10 – $1333 | A fixed discount of $10 |
| Greater than $1333 | The total sales tax amount x 0.0075 (0.75%), not to exceed $8,000 per reporting period |
Filing Amended Returns
Wisconsin allows taxpayers to correct an inaccurate sales and use tax return after it has been filed. Amended returns can be done in two ways:- Online: You can amend a return that was originally filed electronically directly through the My Tax Account portal.
- By Mail: Alternatively, Form ST-12 can be submitted with the “Amended Return” box checked at the top of the form.
Filing Zero Returns in Wisconsin
A critical compliance point in Wisconsin is the requirement to file zero returns. The state mandates that every business holding a seller’s permit or Consumer’s Use Tax Certificate must file a sales and use tax return for each designated reporting period, even if no taxable sales were made and no tax is due. Failure to file a zero return can result in penalties, as it is considered a delinquent filing. There is a notable exception for remote sellers who have registered through the Streamlined Sales Tax Registration System (SSTRS). These sellers are not required to file a return until they make their first taxable sale in Wisconsin. Once a taxable sale occurs, they are required to file by the end of the calendar year in which the sale took place and to continue filing returns thereafter.Other Filing Methods in Wisconsin
If you’re having difficulties filing your Connecticut sales tax return online, you can try other options:- File with TaxHero – Let expert accountants in TaxHero prepare your sales tax returns for you. We’ll take everything off your hands so that you can spend your time more efficiently managing your business.
- File by Phone (TeleFile) – This service allows business owners to file and pay their sales and use tax using a touch-tone phone. It is a free and convenient option for those who prefer a non-Internet-based method. Filers must have a completed worksheet with their account information and tax data ready when they call one of the designated TeleFile numbers. Payments can be made via direct debit during the call, or by credit card, check, or money order afterward.
- File by Mail – Businesses can also file their return by completing a paper Form ST-12 and mailing it to the Wisconsin Department of Revenue with their payment. However, Wisconsin requires all sales and use tax returns to be filed electronically, so this method is permitted only if the business has been granted a waiver of the electronic filing requirement.
- File with Third-Party Software/Service – For businesses with high-volume sales, the DOR allows for e-File Transmission. This method requires technical expertise to create and validate an XML document containing the sales and use tax return data. It is intended for businesses that use specialized tax software capable of providing this service.