You’re About to Get a Tax Break Thanks to All That Pandemic Online Shopping

Out-of-state retailers paid more in Wisconsin taxes that will go toward targeted tax relief.

While the coronavirus pandemic has crippled Wisconsin businesses and tax revenue they provide for state and local services, the resulting increase in online shopping has led to more tax revenue being provided by out-of-state retailers.

Gov. Tony Evers announced Wednesday morning the Department of Revenue had collected an additional $256.4 million from out-of-state state shops, which will be put toward income tax relief for lower- and middle-income Wisconsinites. That figure is more than triple the amount of revenue generated in 2019 and it was collected from around 9,000 different sellers compared to approximately 5,000 a year ago.

A 2018 US Supreme Court decision granted states the authority to require out-of-state retailers to collect sales and use taxes. A 2019 state law required that new revenue stream to be applied toward tax relief for two lower income brackets. 

More News from Around Wisconsin

Amery tavern and pro-life group appeal capacity limits – After a Barron County judge upheld Gov. Tony Evers’ order setting capacity limits for bars and restaurants, an Amery bar and a pro-life organization filed an appeal on Tuesday and asked for a ruling by Friday.

The initial lawsuit was brought forward by a Sawyer County bar and the Tavern League of Wisconsin, and neither party was planning to appeal Judge James Babler’s decision on Monday. Babler ruled that since the parties could not prove they were complying with the order, they could not prove they were harmed by it.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports Miki Jo’s Mix Up bar and restaurant in Amery and Pro-Life Wisconsin, which filed the appeal Tuesday, had joined the suit prior to Monday’s decision. During Monday’s hearing, an attorney for the bar said the order prompted customers to stay away. Pro-Life Wisconsin said it has joined the suit because the limits will affect fundraising events. 

Plane Skids Off Runway at Central Wisconsin Airport – A flight arriving in Mosinee from Chicago O’Hare airport slid off the runway late Tuesday night due to snow, reports WSAW-TV. No injuries were reported.

A passenger told the TV station that it wasn’t a rough landing and it was only after she looked out the window that realized they were no longer on the runway. She said the captain told passengers that they thought the braking system would be fine, but there was more snow than expected. 

Bipartisan 9-8-8 Suicide Hotline Approved – A bipartisan bill co-authored by Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Madison, to create a three-digit suicide crisis hotline was signed into law last weekend.

The National Suicide Hotline Designation Act designated 9-8-8 as the number for call for emergency mental health assistance, though it could take another year to be implemented. Veterans will also be able to dial the number 1 to be routed to the Veteran Crisis Line. 

According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs 2019 annual report, 45,390 American adults died from suicide in 2017, including 6,139 U.S. veterans. According to Baldwin’s office, in Wisconsin one out of every five people who died by suicide was a veteran.

“We need to do everything we can to prevent suicide and that means improving the tools we have to help people who are suffering from depression or other mental health concerns,” Baldwin said in a press statement. 

‘Happy Days’ cast reuniting to raise funds for Wisconsin Democrats – Several actors from the Milwaukee-based sitcom “Happy Days” are holding a virtual reunion on Oct. 25 to raise money for the Democratic Party of Wisconsin.

“The most important election of our lifetime is right around the corner and Wisconsin is a must-win swing state,” Ron Howard tweeted on Monday with a link where people can donate to attend the event. Harry Winkler re-tweeted Howard, stating, “I’m with him.”

One former cast member who will not participate is Scott Baio, who is a vocal Trump supporter.