Wisconsin Assembly Bill AB658

Wisconsin 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 11/9/23
• Refer: 11/9/23
• Refer: 1/11/24
• Report Pass: 1/18/24
• Refer: 1/18/24
• Refer: 2/6/24
• Report Pass: 2/8/24
• Refer: 2/8/24
• Failed: 4/15/24

Caption

A sales tax exemption for road-building equipment; increasing the income tax withholding threshold for nonresidents; modifying the certification requirement for a qualified opportunity fund; prohibiting certain lottery games; and extending the capital gains exclusion to family members who inherit certain farms organized as a partnership or limited liability company. (FE)

Impact

Furthermore, the bill proposes an increase in the income tax withholding threshold for nonresident employees, raising the minimum annual wages from $1,500 to $2,000 for which withholding is mandatory. This adjustment aims to relieve nonresident workers of tax withholding burdens, thereby increasing attractiveness for temporary employment within the state, particularly in sectors such as agriculture and construction that often hire nonresident labor.

Summary

Assembly Bill 658 introduces several modifications to existing tax laws in Wisconsin, primarily focusing on creating a sales tax exemption for road-building equipment used in construction. This measure aims to lower the operating costs for construction firms involved in road work, potentially leading to increased infrastructure projects within the state. The exemption would apply to portable machinery primarily used to crush and prepare materials like asphalt and gravel, facilitating easier and more cost-effective road construction and maintenance.

Contention

Another notable change involves modifying the requirements for Wisconsin qualified opportunity funds, which manage investments in economically distressed areas. The current certification process will be altered to provide greater flexibility concerning submission deadlines associated with income tax returns. This aspect of the bill has raised questions about the potential impact on investment dynamics within listed opportunity zones.

Additional_provisions

Lastly, the bill includes provisions to prohibit certain lottery games, along with extending tax benefits related to the capital gains exclusion for family members inheriting farm assets organized as partnerships or LLCs. These changes are designed to encourage the continuation of family-owned farms and mitigate the financial implications of passing on agricultural property to heirs.