IT'S TAX SEASON! This year, the Wisconsin Department of Revenue is offering an extra layer of identity protection for taxpayers. (Photo via Creative Commons)

The 2022 individual income tax filing season opened Jan. 24, and the Wisconsin Department of Revenue is now offering an extra layer of identity protection for taxpayers. The department’s new Wisconsin Identity Protection PIN program is another way it is securing a taxpayer’s personal information. Once a taxpayer requests and receives their Wisconsin Identity Protection PIN, they will use it to securely file their Wisconsin individual income tax return and homestead credit claims. More information on the Identity Protection PIN program may be found by searching “Identity Protection” on the DOR website. 

“The goal of the PIN program is to keep refunds in the right hands and out of the pockets of fraudsters,” said Department of Revenue Secretary Peter Barca. “Another important thing to keep in mind about fraud, is that unless you have contacted us first, we never call people without first sending a letter. So, if you are getting a call or a text from us, but you haven’t received a letter from us, that’s a red flag for fraud. We always send letters first.”  

The DOR also emphasizes that filing electronically saves time and money, and it increases accuracy and security. Wisconsin processed 3.29 million individual income tax returns in 2021, with an e-file rate of 91%. This is the first time DOR surpassed the 90% milestone for electronically filed returns.

 Learn more about state tax filing at www.revenue.wi.gov.