Wisconsin tax deductions and write-offs (2026)

No. Wisconsin fully exempts U.S. military retired pay from state income tax. Other retirement income: Beginning in 2025, taxpayers 67+ may subtract up to $24,000 (single) or $48,000 (joint, both 67+) of retirement income, including pensions and 401(k)/IRA withdrawals, with no income limit. Claimants cannot also claim certain Schedule CR credits.

Partly. Beginning in 2025, taxpayers 67+ may subtract up to $24,000 (single) or $48,000 (joint, both 67+) of retirement income, including pensions and 401(k)/IRA withdrawals, with no income limit. Claimants cannot also claim certain Schedule CR credits.

No. Wisconsin does not tax Social Security benefits; any federally taxable amount is subtracted on Schedule SB.

Yes: Wisconsin offers the Wisconsin Earned Income Credit, 4% of the federal EITC with 1 child, 11% with 2, 34% with 3 or more (refundable). Only for families with at least one qualifying child; workers without children get nothing. Full-year residents only. Married couples must file jointly unless they qualify as head of household.

Only instead of income tax: itemizers in Wisconsin pick sales tax (5% state rate, about 5.72% with local taxes) or state income tax, whichever is bigger. Most counties add 0.5%; in the City of Milwaukee the total is 7.9% (5% state, 0.9% Milwaukee County, 2% city).

Yes: Wisconsin offers the Renter's School Property Tax Credit; Homestead Credit. All renters can claim the school property tax credit, worth up to $300, on Form 1, where 20% of rent (25% if heat isn't included) counts as property tax. Lower-income renters may also claim the refundable Homestead Credit, up to $1,168, on Schedule H. School credit: no income limit; $150 maximum if married filing separately. Homestead Credit: household income under $24,680 (2025); full-year resident age 18+; must have earned income, be disabled, or be 62+.

Yes on your federal return if you itemize, within the $40,400 SALT cap. Wisconsin adds its own break: school property tax credit: 12% of the first $2,500 of property tax or rent-as-tax (max $300), no income limit.

No: Wisconsin doesn't base registration on your car's value, so it isn't deductible as personal property tax. Automobile registration is a flat $85 per year plus any flat municipal or county wheel tax.

Wisconsin taxes income up to 7.65%, doesn't tax Social Security, and offers renter and homestead credits.

Yes on your Wisconsin return: $5,280 per beneficiary (single or joint); $2,640 MFS. Only contributions to the state's own plan count. Edvest/Tomorrow's Scholar only; any WI contributor qualifies; contributions through April 15 count for prior year; indexed annually.

No state child tax credit, but Wisconsin has a child care credit: 100% of the federal child and dependent care credit. Nonrefundable. Dependent exemption is $700. Wisconsin does have an earned income credit: 4% of the federal EITC with 1 child, 11% with 2, 34% with 3 or more.

Yes, as a business expense: Wisconsin charges $130 online / $170 paper to form an LLC; ongoing: $25 online / $40 paper annual report. Due by end of the calendar quarter of the formation anniversary.