Wisconsin Senate Bill SB482

Wisconsin 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 10/2/25
• Refer: 10/2/25
• Report Pass: 11/6/25
• Refer: 11/18/25
• Engrossed: 11/18/25
• Refer: 1/14/26
• Enrolled: 1/22/26
• Chaptered: 4/9/26
• Passed: 4/9/26

Caption

An Act to repeal 71.28 (5b) (d) 1. and 71.47 (5b) (d) 1.; to renumber and amend 71.07 (4n) (d) and 71.28 (5) (b); to amend 71.07 (2dm) (h), 71.07 (2dx) (e) 1., 71.07 (2dy) (d) 1., 71.07 (3g) (c), 71.07 (3h) (d) 1., 71.07 (3n) (f), 71.07 (4k) (e) 2. b., 71.07 (5b) (d) 1., 71.07 (5d) (d) 2., 71.07 (5g) (d) 1., 71.07 (5i) (d), 71.07 (5j) (d) 1., 71.07 (5k) (d), 71.07 (5n) (d) 1., 71.07 (5r) (d) 1., 71.07 (5rm) (d) 1., 71.07 (6n) (d) 1., 71.07 (8b) (e), 71.07 (9m) (e), 71.07 (9r) (g), 71.07 (10) (d), 71.28 (1dm) (h), 71.28 (1dx) (e) 1., 71.28 (1dy) (d) 1., 71.28 (3g) (c), 71.28 (3h) (d) 1., 71.28 (3n) (f), 71.28 (4) (f), 71.28 (4) (k) 2., 71.28 (5g) (d) 1., 71.28 (5i) (d), 71.28 (5j) (d) 1., 71.28 (5k) (d), 71.28 (5n) (d) 1., 71.28 (5r) (d) 1., 71.28 (5rm) (d) 1., 71.28 (6) (e), 71.28 (6n) (d) 1., 71.28 (8b) (e), 71.28 (10) (d), 71.47 (1dm) (h), 71.47 (1dx) (e) 1., 71.47 (1dy) (d) 1., 71.47 (3g) (c), 71.47 (3h) (d) 1., 71.47 (3n) (f), 71.47 (4) (f), 71.47 (4) (k) 2., 71.47 (5g) (d) 1., 71.47 (5i) (d), 71.47 (5j) (d) 1., 71.47 (5k) (d), 71.47 (5r) (d) 1., 71.47 (5rm) (d) 1., 71.47 (6) (e), 71.47 (6n) (d) 1., 71.47 (8b) (e) and 71.47 (10) (d); to create 71.07 (4n) (d) 2., 71.28 (5) (b) 2., 71.28 (5b) (e), 71.28 (5b) (f), 71.28 (5b) (g), 71.28 (5b) (h), 71.47 (5b) (e), 71.47 (5b) (f), 71.47 (5b) (g) and 71.47 (5b) (h) of the statutes; Relating to: increasing the carryover period of the research income tax credit. (FE)

Impact

If enacted, SB482 will fundamentally alter how businesses, particularly those engaged in research and development, can manage their tax credits. By extending the carry-over period from 15 to 50 years, businesses will have a longer timeframe to utilize these credits, potentially assisting them in financial planning and investment in innovation. This change is anticipated to enhance the economic climate by encouraging more investment in research activities, which can lead to job creation and further economic growth within the state.

Summary

Senate Bill 482, introduced in the Wisconsin Legislature, proposes significant amendments to the carry-over provisions of the research income and franchise tax credits. Currently, if unused, these credits can be carried over for 15 years. SB482 seeks to extend this period drastically to 50 years, allowing claimants more flexibility in offsetting tax liabilities in future years. The research tax credit itself accounts for a portion of expenditures that exceed a specified threshold concerning average qualified research expenses over the preceding three tax years.

Contention

The proposed bill has sparked discussions about its implications for state revenue and the equity of tax credit distribution. Opponents argue that such a prolonged carry-over period may deprive the state of necessary revenue in the near term while benefiting primarily larger corporations that can afford to invest in research. There are concerns that while this bill could spur economic growth, it may also lead to greater inequalities in how tax benefits are applied, favoring established companies over smaller startups that could also contribute to innovation.

Notable_points

The bill also introduces stipulations regarding the administration of these credits. The Wisconsin Department of Revenue would be empowered to oversee the implementation and ensure compliance with the new guidelines, which may include requiring claimants to provide verification of their expenses. Overall, the discussions surrounding SB482 highlight an ongoing struggle between fostering business innovation through tax incentives and ensuring that such policies remain fair and beneficial for the broader public interest.