How to file state income taxes in Wisconsin: deadlines, free filing services, when you'll get state tax refund

The tax season is upon us: The deadline to file your federal and state income taxes is April 15.

And when filing your state income taxes this year, you might be able to use new, free filing services through the state Department of Revenue or a company that partners with the IRS.

Here's what you need to know about filing your state taxes in Wisconsin this spring — and getting your refund:

What is Wisconsin's new electronic tax filing system?

The state rolled out a "new and improved" electronic filing system this year called WisTax, which replaces WI e-file. The old system functioned best in Internet Explorer, a defunct browser, and customers had trouble finding a free version of Adobe to open the forms, the department said.

You're eligible to use the new service if you've filed taxes in Wisconsin recently, are a full-year resident and have a state driver's license or ID card. First, you should file and save your federal tax return, then you can find and start filling out the correct form on the DOR's portal.

More information about who can use the service, including certain tax credits that won't be accepted in the system, is available here. If you don't qualify, the DOR says to use a third-party software or file using a paper form.

What is IRS Free File, and can Wisconsin residents use it?

Wisconsin is also participating in the IRS Free File program for the first time, which allows people who qualify to file their federal — and in most cases, state taxes — for free, using a private company's software.

If your adjusted gross income is $79,000 or less, you can use the guided tax software of one of the services that the IRS partners with. Or if your income is more than that amount, there are free fillable forms.

To use this option, you have to start at IRS.gov — going straight to a company's website won't get you the same benefits. Here's their landing page, which also has answers to questions like what documents you need to get started.

What's the deadline to file taxes in Wisconsin? Can I get an extension?

The deadline to file your 2023 tax return is April 15, 2024. If you're sending in a paper form, make sure you meet these requirements:

• The return is mailed in an envelope with a proper address and prepaid postage

• The envelope with the return is postmarked on or before the due date

• The Department of Revenue receives your return within five days of the due date

If you file late without an extension, you could face a $50 fee and 1.5% interest per month. Wisconsin does allow for a 180-day extension period. More information about getting an extension is available here.

When should I start filing my state income taxes? What do I need?

You should wait until all your documents arrive to make sure you fill out your forms correctly. Corrections can cause delays in getting your refund.

Those documents include W-2s (what you receive from your employer that shows your wages, tips and other compensation) and 1099 documents (which shows income that isn't from employment).

The department recommends filing your taxes as soon as you're confident you have all the information you need. One method of identity theft is filing a tax return in a person's name and collecting their refund.

If you want to add an extra layer of security, you can register for a Wisconsin Identity Protection PIN that acts as a password for your tax return and can deter thieves.

When will I get my Wisconsin income tax refund?

The DOR says this is the question it probably gets the most. There's a "Where's my Refund" tool where you can enter your information and get the same answer as calling the department's customer service line.

If you file electronically, you should get your return within 12 weeks, and filing a paper return could delay your refund.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: How to file Wisconsin income taxes; when you'll get state tax refund