BROWN COUNTY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Thousands of property owners across our area could be missing out on hundreds of dollars each year.
That’s because they might not know they need to apply for the Wisconsin Lottery and Gaming Tax Credit in order to receive the money.
Mark Bonetti of Bellevue had mixed emotions when Brown County recently sent him a letter stating he’s been missing out on the credit.
“I was first of all happy that they sent out the letter — thank you for letting me know. Bbut then thinking it over, I haven’t gotten this credit in 14 years. How is that fair?”
Bonetti called the county and found out he isn’t the only one. An audit this year found there are more than 8,000 property owners in Brown County who are also potentially missing out on the money.
“I can see me making an error on something I was supposed to apply for,” said Bonetti. “How is it possible that thousands of taxpayers are not getting a tax credit that they should be getting?”
Brown County Treasurer Paul Zeller’s office started sending property owners the notification letters with forms to apply for the lottery credit last Friday.
“We’ve had a very strong response of forms coming back in, completed forms, and many questions on the phone,” said Zeller.
61,394 property owners in Brown County are signed up for the lottery credit.
To get the credit, you must apply with your county treasurer for your primary residence. You can only receive the credit once, even if you own multiple properties.
Some lending companies will help you take care of applying for the credit when you close on your home.
FOX 11 asked Zeller if he believes there is an easier way to get the money to eligible property owners, other than the state’s current requirement of having property owners apply for the credit.
“In my opinion, as a county treasurer, we’re administering a state program that I feel could be much easier handled on the Wisconsin income tax return,” said Zeller.
Whether that is possible is unclear. The Department of Revenue couldn’t provide us anyone for an interview in time for this story.
Those who miss out on the credit can file a late claim by Oct. 1, only for the previous year’s credit.
“But what if I owed money for back years?” said Bonetti. “I don’t think there’s a deadline for when I’m supposed to pay it. So how is that fair to a taxpayer in our community?”
Last year in Brown County, the lottery credit was between $150 and $246. It varies depending on the school district tax rate and how much revenue lottery and gaming generates for the year.
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