How to Get the Wisconsin Lottery Tax Credit
Understand the process for claiming Wisconsin's property tax relief. This guide covers how to receive the Lottery Credit, even if you've missed the deadline.
The Wisconsin Lottery and Gaming Credit provides property tax relief to homeowners by using funds from the state lottery and other gaming activities. This credit reduces the total amount due directly on a qualifying owner’s property tax bill. The specific amount of the credit can fluctuate annually based on the funds generated from the lottery.
Eligibility for the Credit
To qualify for the lottery and gaming credit, a property owner must meet two conditions as of January 1st of the tax year. First, you must be the legal owner of the property.
The second requirement is that the property must serve as your primary residence on that same January 1st date. A primary residence is the home where you live for the majority of the time. An individual can only claim one primary residence and receive the credit on a single property. Properties used for business, as rental units, or vacant land are not eligible.
Required Application and Forms
For most homeowners who have previously qualified, the credit is applied to their tax bill automatically each year. The credit remains on the property until the owner notifies the treasurer that it no longer qualifies. However, new homeowners or those who did not automatically receive the credit must apply.
The application is the Wisconsin Lottery and Gaming Credit Application, Form LC-100. You will need to provide the names of all property owners, the property’s parcel number from your tax bill, and the date you began using the home as your primary residence. This form can be obtained from your county treasurer’s office or downloaded from the Wisconsin Department of Revenue’s website.
Submitting Your Application
For many new homeowners, the credit is handled at closing when they purchase the property. If you need to apply directly, the application should be submitted to your local municipal treasurer. To have the credit applied to your current year’s property tax bill, you must submit the form by January 31. The state is also moving toward an online application portal, which may become the primary method for submission.
Filing a Late Claim
If you were eligible for the credit but missed the deadline, you can file a late claim directly with the Wisconsin Department of Revenue, not your local treasurer. This process uses Form LC-300, Claim for Lottery and Gaming Credit, or can be completed through the Department of Revenue’s online portal.
When filing a late claim, you will need to provide a copy of the property tax bill for the year you are claiming the credit. The Department of Revenue will issue a check directly to you for the credit amount. The deadline to file a late claim for a given tax year is October 1 of the following year. For example, to claim a missed credit for the 2024 tax year, you would have until October 1, 2025, to file.