1 | 1 | | 2025 - 2026 LEGISLATURE |
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2 | 2 | | LRB-2552/1 |
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3 | 3 | | KP:cdc |
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4 | 4 | | 2025 SENATE BILL 204 |
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5 | 5 | | April 16, 2025 - Introduced by Senators TESTIN and FEYEN, cosponsored by |
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6 | 6 | | Representatives MOSES, ZIMMERMAN, BEHNKE, CALLAHAN, GOODWIN, |
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7 | 7 | | GUNDRUM and SWEARINGEN. Referred to Committee on Agriculture and |
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8 | 8 | | Revenue. |
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9 | 9 | | AN ACT to amend 71.05 (6) (a) 15., 71.10 (4) (i), 71.21 (4) (a), 71.21 (6) (d) 3., |
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10 | 10 | | 71.26 (2) (a) 4., 71.30 (3) (f), 71.34 (1k) (g), 71.365 (4m) (d) 2., 71.45 (2) (a) 10. |
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11 | 11 | | and 71.49 (1) (f); to create 20.835 (2) (de), 71.07 (12), 71.28 (12), 71.47 (12) and |
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12 | 12 | | 73.03 (78) of the statutes; relating to: creating a video game production tax |
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13 | 13 | | credit and making an appropriation. |
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14 | 14 | | Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau |
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15 | 15 | | This bill creates a refundable video game production income and franchise tax |
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16 | 16 | | credit. The credit is equal to the sum of the following: 1) 30 percent of the eligible |
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17 | 17 | | wages paid by the claimant directly relating to developing, producing, or creating a |
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18 | 18 | | video game product; and 2) 30 percent of the claimant[s eligible expenditures |
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19 | 19 | | directly relating to developing, producing, or creating a video game product. Under |
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20 | 20 | | the bill, Xvideo game productY means, subject to certain exceptions, an electronic |
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21 | 21 | | game developed for commercial distribution and entertainment that involves |
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22 | 22 | | interaction with a used interface to generate visual feedback on a video device. |
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23 | 23 | | XVideo game productY does not include social media, gambling products, or products |
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24 | 24 | | with obscene content. The bill also defines Xeligible expendituresY as expenditures |
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25 | 25 | | directly relating to developing, producing, or creating a video game product but |
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26 | 26 | | excludes various specified expenditures, such as payments for royalties, capital |
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27 | 27 | | expenditures, management and administrative expenses, marketing expenses, and |
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32 | 32 | | 5 2025 - 2026 Legislature |
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33 | 33 | | SENATE BILL 204 |
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34 | 34 | | - 2 - LRB-2552/1 |
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35 | 35 | | KP:cdc |
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36 | 36 | | SECTION 1 |
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37 | 37 | | interest. To claim the credit for a tax year, a person must file an application with |
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38 | 38 | | the Department of Revenue and receive a certificate of eligibility for the credit. To |
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39 | 39 | | receive a certificate, an applicant must submit an audit of its eligible expenditures |
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40 | 40 | | to DOR. The credit under the bill is refundable, which means that if the credit |
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41 | 41 | | exceeds the claimant[s tax liability, the claimant will receive the difference as a |
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42 | 42 | | refund check. |
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43 | 43 | | For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as |
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44 | 44 | | an appendix to this bill. |
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45 | 45 | | The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do |
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46 | 46 | | enact as follows: |
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47 | 47 | | SECTION 1. 20.835 (2) (de) of the statutes is created to read: |
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48 | 48 | | 20.835 (2) (de) Video game production credit. A sum sufficient to make the |
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49 | 49 | | payments under ss. 71.07 (12), 71.28 (12), and 71.47 (12). |
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50 | 50 | | SECTION 2. 71.05 (6) (a) 15. of the statutes is amended to read: |
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51 | 51 | | 71.05 (6) (a) 15. The amount of the credits computed under s. 71.07 (2dm), |
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52 | 52 | | (2dx), (2dy), (3g), (3h), (3n), (3q), (3s), (3t), (3w), (3wm), (3y), (4k), (4n), (5i), (5j), (5k), |
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53 | 53 | | (5r), (5rm), (6n), and (10), and (12) and not passed through by a partnership, limited |
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54 | 54 | | liability company, or tax-option corporation that has added that amount to the |
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55 | 55 | | partnership[s, company[s, or tax-option corporation[s income under s. 71.21 (4) or |
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56 | 56 | | 71.34 (1k) (g). |
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57 | 57 | | SECTION 3. 71.07 (12) of the statutes is created to read: |
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58 | 58 | | 71.07 (12) VIDEO GAME PRODUCTION CREDIT. (a) Definitions. In this |
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59 | 59 | | subsection: |
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60 | 60 | | 1. XClaimantY means a person certified under s. 73.03 (78). |
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61 | 61 | | 2. XEligible expendituresY means amounts paid by the claimant directly |
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62 | 62 | | relating to qualifying activities in this state, excluding any of the following: |
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63 | 63 | | a. Wages. |
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80 | 80 | | 17 2025 - 2026 Legislature |
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81 | 81 | | SENATE BILL 204 |
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82 | 82 | | - 3 - LRB-2552/1 |
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83 | 83 | | KP:cdc |
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84 | 84 | | SECTION 3 |
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85 | 85 | | b. Expenditures used to claim another credit under this chapter. |
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86 | 86 | | c. Amounts paid to a person certified to receive a credit under this subsection |
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87 | 87 | | or s. 71.28 (12) or 71.47 (12). |
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88 | 88 | | d. Amounts paid to persons as a result of their participation in profits from |
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89 | 89 | | video game production, such as commissions, royalties, or profit-sharing |
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90 | 90 | | agreements. |
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91 | 91 | | e. Amounts paid for capital expenditures, such as buildings and equipment. |
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92 | 92 | | f. Amounts paid to purchase a copyright, trademark, or tradename. |
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93 | 93 | | g. Amounts paid for management or other administrative activities. |
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94 | 94 | | h. Amounts paid for marketing, promotion, or distribution. |
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95 | 95 | | i. Amounts paid for food or entertainment. |
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96 | 96 | | j. Interest paid on loans or other credit arrangements. |
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97 | 97 | | 3. XEligible wagesY means wages paid by the claimant directly relating to |
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98 | 98 | | qualifying activities in this state. |
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99 | 99 | | 4. XQualifying activitiesY means developing, producing, or creating a video |
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100 | 100 | | game product or platform. |
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101 | 101 | | 5. XVideo game product or platformY means an electronic game developed for |
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102 | 102 | | commercial distribution and entertainment that involves interaction with a user |
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103 | 103 | | interface to generate visual feedback on a video device. XVideo game product or |
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104 | 104 | | platformY does not include any of the following: |
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105 | 105 | | a. A product or platform that contains content in violation of s. 944.21. |
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106 | 106 | | b. A product or platform designed for political, religious, or educational |
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107 | 107 | | purposes. |
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130 | 130 | | 23 2025 - 2026 Legislature |
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131 | 131 | | SENATE BILL 204 |
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132 | 132 | | - 4 - LRB-2552/1 |
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133 | 133 | | KP:cdc |
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134 | 134 | | SECTION 3 |
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135 | 135 | | c. A product or platform regulated under chs. 562 to 569. |
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136 | 136 | | d. A product or platform designed to provide information about one or more |
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137 | 137 | | individuals or businesses, such as marketing and promotional websites or |
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138 | 138 | | microsites. |
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139 | 139 | | e. A product or platform designed for social media or interpersonal |
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140 | 140 | | communications, such as podcasting, interactive advertising, journalism, video |
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141 | 141 | | conferencing, wireless telecommunications, text-based channels, chat rooms, or |
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142 | 142 | | broadcast or streamed viewing enhancements. |
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143 | 143 | | f. A product or platform designed to stream linear media such as audio, video, |
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144 | 144 | | or pictures. |
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145 | 145 | | g. Small-scale electronic games embedded and used exclusively in advertising. |
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146 | 146 | | 6. XWagesY means wages, as defined in s. 71.63 (6), that are subject to |
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147 | 147 | | withholding under subch. X and for which a statement under s. 71.65 (1) is |
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148 | 148 | | furnished. |
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149 | 149 | | (b) Filing claims. Subject to the limitations provided in this subsection, for |
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150 | 150 | | taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024, a claimant may claim as a credit |
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151 | 151 | | against the tax imposed under s. 71.02 any of the following amounts: |
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152 | 152 | | 1. An amount equal to 30 percent of the eligible wages paid by the person in |
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153 | 153 | | the taxable year. |
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154 | 154 | | 2. An amount equal to 30 percent of the eligible expenditures incurred by the |
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155 | 155 | | claimant in the taxable year. |
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156 | 156 | | (c) Limitations. 1. No credit may be allowed under this subsection unless the |
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157 | 157 | | claimant files an application with the department, at the time and in the manner |
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180 | 180 | | 23 2025 - 2026 Legislature |
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181 | 181 | | SENATE BILL 204 |
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182 | 182 | | - 5 - LRB-2552/1 |
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183 | 183 | | KP:cdc |
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184 | 184 | | SECTION 3 |
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185 | 185 | | prescribed by the department, and the department approves the application. The |
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186 | 186 | | claimant shall submit a copy of the approved application with the claimant[s |
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187 | 187 | | return. |
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188 | 188 | | 2. No credit may be allowed under this subsection unless the claimant retains |
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189 | 189 | | at the claimant[s sole expense a certified public accountant licensed under ch. 442 |
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190 | 190 | | to review and certify to the department the total eligible expenditures incurred and |
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191 | 191 | | total eligible wages paid in the taxable and to conduct the audit required under s. |
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192 | 192 | | 73.03 (78) (c). No audit of a claimant required under s. 73.03 (78) (c) may be |
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193 | 193 | | performed by a certified public accountant that is part of an accounting entity that |
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194 | 194 | | is not determined by the department to be independent of the claimant, consistent |
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195 | 195 | | with s. 442.10 and as provided in the code of professional conduct of the American |
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196 | 196 | | Institute of Certified Public Accountants, or its successor organization, or as |
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197 | 197 | | otherwise determined by the department. The certified public accountant shall do |
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198 | 198 | | all of the following: |
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199 | 199 | | a. Conduct the audit required under s. 73.03 (78) (c) according to any rules |
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200 | 200 | | promulgated by the department. |
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201 | 201 | | b. Verify each reported expenditure that is included in the audit and identify |
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202 | 202 | | and exclude each expenditure that does not satisfy this subsection. |
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203 | 203 | | 3. Eligible expenditures incurred and eligible wages paid by a tax-option |
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204 | 204 | | corporation, partnership, or limited liability company that is treated as a |
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205 | 205 | | partnership may be claimed as a credit under this subsection by that corporation[s |
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206 | 206 | | shareholders, that partnership[s partners, or that limited liability company[s |
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207 | 207 | | members who are residents of this state and who otherwise qualify under this |
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230 | 230 | | 23 2025 - 2026 Legislature |
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231 | 231 | | SENATE BILL 204 |
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232 | 232 | | - 6 - LRB-2552/1 |
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233 | 233 | | KP:cdc |
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234 | 234 | | SECTION 3 |
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235 | 235 | | subsection, unless the tax-option corporation, partnership, or limited liability |
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236 | 236 | | company has made an election under s. 71.21 (6) (a) or 71.365 (4m) (a). |
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237 | 237 | | 4. If a tax-option corporation, partnership, or limited liability company makes |
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238 | 238 | | an election under s. 71.21 (6) (a) or 71.365 (4m) (a), that tax-option corporation, |
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239 | 239 | | partnership, or limited liability company may claim the credit under this |
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240 | 240 | | subsection. |
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241 | 241 | | (d) Administration. 1. Section 71.28 (4) (e), (g), and (h), as it applies to the |
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242 | 242 | | credit under s. 71.28 (4), applies to the credits under this subsection. |
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243 | 243 | | 2. If the allowable amount of the claim under par. (b) exceeds the tax |
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244 | 244 | | otherwise due under this chapter or no tax is due under this chapter, the amount of |
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245 | 245 | | the claim not used to offset the tax due shall be certified by the department of |
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246 | 246 | | revenue to the department of administration for payment by check, share draft, or |
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247 | 247 | | other draft drawn from the appropriation account under s. 20.835 (2) (de). |
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248 | 248 | | Notwithstanding s. 71.82 (1) (b), no interest shall be added to amounts certified |
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249 | 249 | | under this subdivision. |
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250 | 250 | | SECTION 4. 71.10 (4) (i) of the statutes is amended to read: |
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251 | 251 | | 71.10 (4) (i) The total of claim of right credit under s. 71.07 (1), farmland |
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252 | 252 | | preservation credit under ss. 71.57 to 71.61, farmland preservation credit, 2010 and |
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253 | 253 | | beyond under s. 71.613, homestead credit under subch. VIII, jobs tax credit under s. |
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254 | 254 | | 71.07 (3q), business development credit under s. 71.07 (3y), research credit under s. |
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255 | 255 | | 71.07 (4k) (e) 2. a., veterans and surviving spouses property tax credit under s. |
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256 | 256 | | 71.07 (6e), enterprise zone jobs credit under s. 71.07 (3w), electronics and |
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257 | 257 | | information technology manufacturing zone credit under s. 71.07 (3wm), earned |
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280 | 280 | | 23 2025 - 2026 Legislature |
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281 | 281 | | SENATE BILL 204 |
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282 | 282 | | - 7 - LRB-2552/1 |
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283 | 283 | | KP:cdc |
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284 | 284 | | SECTION 4 |
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285 | 285 | | income tax credit under s. 71.07 (9e), video game production credit under s. 71.07 |
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286 | 286 | | (12), estimated tax payments under s. 71.09, and taxes withheld under subch. X. |
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287 | 287 | | SECTION 5. 71.21 (4) (a) of the statutes is amended to read: |
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288 | 288 | | 71.21 (4) (a) The amount of the credits computed by a partnership under s. |
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289 | 289 | | 71.07 (2dm), (2dx), (2dy), (3g), (3h), (3n), (3q), (3s), (3t), (3w), (3wm), (3y), (4k), (4n), |
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290 | 290 | | (5g), (5i), (5j), (5k), (5r), (5rm), (6n), and (10), and (12) and passed through to |
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291 | 291 | | partners shall be added to the partnership[s income. |
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292 | 292 | | SECTION 6. 71.21 (6) (d) 3. of the statutes is amended to read: |
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293 | 293 | | 71.21 (6) (d) 3. Except as provided in s. 71.07 (7) (b) 3. and (12) (c) 4., the tax |
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294 | 294 | | credits under this chapter may not be claimed by the partnership. |
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295 | 295 | | SECTION 7. 71.26 (2) (a) 4. of the statutes is amended to read: |
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296 | 296 | | 71.26 (2) (a) 4. Plus the amount of the credit computed under s. 71.28 (1dm), |
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297 | 297 | | (1dx), (1dy), (3g), (3h), (3n), (3q), (3t), (3w), (3wm), (3y), (5g), (5i), (5j), (5k), (5r), |
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298 | 298 | | (5rm), (6n), and (10), and (12) and not passed through by a partnership, limited |
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299 | 299 | | liability company, or tax-option corporation that has added that amount to the |
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300 | 300 | | partnership[s, limited liability company[s, or tax-option corporation[s income under |
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301 | 301 | | s. 71.21 (4) or 71.34 (1k) (g). |
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302 | 302 | | SECTION 8. 71.28 (12) of the statutes is created to read: |
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303 | 303 | | 71.28 (12) VIDEO GAME PRODUCTION CREDIT. (a) Definitions. In this |
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304 | 304 | | subsection: |
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305 | 305 | | 1. XClaimantY means a person certified under s. 73.03 (78). |
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306 | 306 | | 2. XEligible expendituresY means amounts paid by the claimant directly |
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307 | 307 | | relating to qualifying activities in this state, excluding any of the following: |
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308 | 308 | | a. Wages. |
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332 | 332 | | 24 2025 - 2026 Legislature |
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333 | 333 | | SENATE BILL 204 |
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334 | 334 | | - 8 - LRB-2552/1 |
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335 | 335 | | KP:cdc |
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336 | 336 | | SECTION 8 |
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337 | 337 | | b. Expenditures used to claim another credit under this chapter. |
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338 | 338 | | c. Amounts paid to a person certified to receive a credit under this subsection |
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339 | 339 | | or s. 71.07 (12) or 71.47 (12). |
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340 | 340 | | d. Amounts paid to persons as a result of their participation in profits from |
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341 | 341 | | video game production, such as commissions, royalties, or profit-sharing |
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342 | 342 | | agreements. |
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343 | 343 | | e. Amounts paid for capital expenditures, such as buildings and equipment. |
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344 | 344 | | f. Amounts paid to purchase a copyright, trademark, or tradename. |
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345 | 345 | | g. Amounts paid for management or other administrative activities. |
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346 | 346 | | h. Amounts paid for marketing, promotion, or distribution. |
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347 | 347 | | i. Amounts paid for food or entertainment. |
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348 | 348 | | j. Interest paid on loans or other credit arrangements. |
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349 | 349 | | 3. XEligible wagesY means wages paid by the claimant directly relating to |
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350 | 350 | | qualifying activities in this state. |
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351 | 351 | | 4. XQualifying activitiesY means developing, producing, or creating a video |
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352 | 352 | | game product or platform. |
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353 | 353 | | 5. XVideo game product or platformY means an electronic game developed for |
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354 | 354 | | commercial distribution and entertainment that involves interaction with a user |
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355 | 355 | | interface to generate visual feedback on a video device. XVideo game product or |
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356 | 356 | | platformY does not include any of the following: |
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357 | 357 | | a. A product or platform that contains content in violation of s. 944.21. |
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358 | 358 | | b. A product or platform designed for political, religious, or educational |
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359 | 359 | | purposes. |
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382 | 382 | | 23 2025 - 2026 Legislature |
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383 | 383 | | SENATE BILL 204 |
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384 | 384 | | - 9 - LRB-2552/1 |
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385 | 385 | | KP:cdc |
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386 | 386 | | SECTION 8 |
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387 | 387 | | c. A product or platform regulated under chs. 562 to 569. |
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388 | 388 | | d. A product or platform designed to provide information about one or more |
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389 | 389 | | individuals or businesses, such as marketing and promotional websites or |
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390 | 390 | | microsites. |
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391 | 391 | | e. A product or platform designed for social media or interpersonal |
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392 | 392 | | communications, such as podcasting, interactive advertising, journalism, video |
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393 | 393 | | conferencing, wireless telecommunications, text-based channels, chat rooms, or |
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394 | 394 | | broadcast or streamed viewing enhancements. |
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395 | 395 | | f. A product or platform designed to stream linear media such as audio, video, |
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396 | 396 | | or pictures. |
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397 | 397 | | g. Small-scale electronic games embedded and used exclusively in advertising. |
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398 | 398 | | 6. XWagesY means wages, as defined in s. 71.63 (6), that are subject to |
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399 | 399 | | withholding under subch. X and for which a statement under s. 71.65 (1) is |
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400 | 400 | | furnished. |
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401 | 401 | | (b) Filing claims. Subject to the limitations provided in this subsection, for |
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402 | 402 | | taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024, a claimant may claim as a credit |
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403 | 403 | | against the tax imposed under s. 71.23 any of the following amounts: |
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404 | 404 | | 1. An amount equal to 30 percent of the eligible wages paid by the person in |
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405 | 405 | | the taxable year. |
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406 | 406 | | 2. An amount equal to 30 percent of the eligible expenditures incurred by the |
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407 | 407 | | claimant in the taxable year. |
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408 | 408 | | (c) Limitations. 1. No credit may be allowed under this subsection unless the |
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409 | 409 | | claimant files an application with the department, at the time and in the manner |
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432 | 432 | | 23 2025 - 2026 Legislature |
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433 | 433 | | SENATE BILL 204 |
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434 | 434 | | - 10 - LRB-2552/1 |
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435 | 435 | | KP:cdc |
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436 | 436 | | SECTION 8 |
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437 | 437 | | prescribed by the department, and the department approves the application. The |
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438 | 438 | | claimant shall submit a copy of the approved application with the claimant[s |
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439 | 439 | | return. |
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440 | 440 | | 2. No credit may be allowed under this subsection unless the claimant retains |
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441 | 441 | | at the claimant[s sole expense a certified public accountant licensed under ch. 442 |
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442 | 442 | | to review and certify to the department the total eligible expenditures incurred and |
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443 | 443 | | total eligible wages paid in the taxable and to conduct the audit required under s. |
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444 | 444 | | 73.03 (78) (c). No audit of a claimant required under s. 73.03 (78) (c) may be |
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445 | 445 | | performed by a certified public accountant that is part of an accounting entity that |
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446 | 446 | | is not determined by the department to be independent of the claimant, consistent |
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447 | 447 | | with s. 442.10 and as provided in the code of professional conduct of the American |
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448 | 448 | | Institute of Certified Public Accountants, or its successor organization, or as |
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449 | 449 | | otherwise determined by the department. The certified public accountant shall do |
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450 | 450 | | all of the following: |
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451 | 451 | | a. Conduct the audit required under s. 73.03 (78) (c) according to any rules |
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452 | 452 | | promulgated by the department. |
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453 | 453 | | b. Verify each reported expenditure that is included in the audit and identify |
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454 | 454 | | and exclude each expenditure that does not satisfy this subsection. |
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455 | 455 | | (d) Administration. 1. Subsection (4) (e), (g), and (h), as it applies to the credit |
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456 | 456 | | under sub. (4), applies to the credits under this subsection. |
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457 | 457 | | 2. If the allowable amount of the claim under par. (b) exceeds the tax |
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458 | 458 | | otherwise due under this chapter or no tax is due under this chapter, the amount of |
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459 | 459 | | the claim not used to offset the tax due shall be certified by the department of |
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482 | 482 | | 23 2025 - 2026 Legislature |
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483 | 483 | | SENATE BILL 204 |
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484 | 484 | | - 11 - LRB-2552/1 |
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485 | 485 | | KP:cdc |
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486 | 486 | | SECTION 8 |
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487 | 487 | | revenue to the department of administration for payment by check, share draft, or |
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488 | 488 | | other draft drawn from the appropriation account under s. 20.835 (2) (de). |
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489 | 489 | | Notwithstanding s. 71.82 (1) (b), no interest shall be added to amounts certified |
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490 | 490 | | under this subdivision. |
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491 | 491 | | SECTION 9. 71.30 (3) (f) of the statutes is amended to read: |
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492 | 492 | | 71.30 (3) (f) The total of farmland preservation credit under subch. IX, jobs |
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493 | 493 | | credit under s. 71.28 (3q), enterprise zone jobs credit under s. 71.28 (3w), electronics |
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494 | 494 | | and information technology manufacturing zone credit under s. 71.28 (3wm), |
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495 | 495 | | business development credit under s. 71.28 (3y), research credit under s. 71.28 (4) |
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496 | 496 | | (k) 1., video game production credit under s. 71.28 (12), and estimated tax |
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497 | 497 | | payments under s. 71.29. |
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498 | 498 | | SECTION 10. 71.34 (1k) (g) of the statutes is amended to read: |
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499 | 499 | | 71.34 (1k) (g) An addition shall be made for credits computed by a tax-option |
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500 | 500 | | corporation under s. 71.28 (1dm), (1dx), (1dy), (3), (3g), (3h), (3n), (3q), (3t), (3w), |
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501 | 501 | | (3wm), (3y), (4), (5), (5g), (5i), (5j), (5k), (5r), (5rm), (6n), and (10), and (12) and |
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502 | 502 | | passed through to shareholders. |
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503 | 503 | | SECTION 11. 71.365 (4m) (d) 2. of the statutes is amended to read: |
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504 | 504 | | 71.365 (4m) (d) 2. Except as provided in s. 71.07 (7) (b) 3. and (12) (c) 4., the |
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505 | 505 | | tax credits under this chapter may not be claimed by the tax-option corporation. |
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506 | 506 | | SECTION 12. 71.45 (2) (a) 10. of the statutes is amended to read: |
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507 | 507 | | 71.45 (2) (a) 10. By adding to federal taxable income the amount of credit |
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508 | 508 | | computed under s. 71.47 (1dm) to (1dy), (3g), (3h), (3n), (3q), (3w), (3y), (5g), (5i), |
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509 | 509 | | (5j), (5k), (5r), (5rm), (6n), and (10), and (12) and not passed through by a |
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510 | 510 | | partnership, limited liability company, or tax-option corporation that has added |
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534 | 534 | | 24 2025 - 2026 Legislature |
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535 | 535 | | SENATE BILL 204 |
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536 | 536 | | - 12 - LRB-2552/1 |
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537 | 537 | | KP:cdc |
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538 | 538 | | SECTION 12 |
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539 | 539 | | that amount to the partnership[s, limited liability company[s, or tax-option |
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540 | 540 | | corporation[s income under s. 71.21 (4) or 71.34 (1k) (g) and the amount of credit |
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541 | 541 | | computed under s. 71.47 (3), (3t), (4), (4m), and (5). |
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542 | 542 | | SECTION 13. 71.47 (12) of the statutes is created to read: |
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543 | 543 | | 71.47 (12) VIDEO GAME PRODUCTION CREDIT. (a) Definitions. In this |
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544 | 544 | | subsection: |
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545 | 545 | | 1. XClaimantY means a person certified under s. 73.03 (78). |
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546 | 546 | | 2. XEligible expendituresY means amounts paid by the claimant directly |
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547 | 547 | | relating to qualifying activities in this state, excluding any of the following: |
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548 | 548 | | a. Wages. |
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549 | 549 | | b. Expenditures used to claim another credit under this chapter. |
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550 | 550 | | c. Amounts paid to a person certified to receive a credit under this subsection |
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551 | 551 | | or s. 71.07 (12) or 71.28 (12). |
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552 | 552 | | d. Amounts paid to persons as a result of their participation in profits from |
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553 | 553 | | video game production, such as commissions, royalties, or profit-sharing |
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554 | 554 | | agreements. |
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555 | 555 | | e. Amounts paid for capital expenditures, such as buildings and equipment. |
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556 | 556 | | f. Amounts paid to purchase a copyright, trademark, or tradename. |
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557 | 557 | | g. Amounts paid for management or other administrative activities. |
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558 | 558 | | h. Amounts paid for marketing, promotion, or distribution. |
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559 | 559 | | i. Amounts paid for food or entertainment. |
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560 | 560 | | j. Interest paid on loans or other credit arrangements. |
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582 | 582 | | 22 2025 - 2026 Legislature |
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583 | 583 | | SENATE BILL 204 |
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584 | 584 | | - 13 - LRB-2552/1 |
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585 | 585 | | KP:cdc |
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586 | 586 | | SECTION 13 |
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587 | 587 | | 3. XEligible wagesY means wages paid by the claimant directly relating to |
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588 | 588 | | qualifying activities in this state. |
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589 | 589 | | 4. XQualifying activitiesY means developing, producing, or creating a video |
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590 | 590 | | game product or platform. |
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591 | 591 | | 5. XVideo game product or platformY means an electronic game developed for |
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592 | 592 | | commercial distribution and entertainment that involves interaction with a user |
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593 | 593 | | interface to generate visual feedback on a video device. XVideo game product or |
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594 | 594 | | platformY does not include any of the following: |
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595 | 595 | | a. A product or platform that contains content in violation of s. 944.21. |
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596 | 596 | | b. A product or platform designed for political, religious, or educational |
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597 | 597 | | purposes. |
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598 | 598 | | c. A product or platform regulated under chs. 562 to 569. |
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599 | 599 | | d. A product or platform designed to provide information about one or more |
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600 | 600 | | individuals or businesses, such as marketing and promotional websites or |
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601 | 601 | | microsites. |
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602 | 602 | | e. A product or platform designed for social media or interpersonal |
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603 | 603 | | communications, such as podcasting, interactive advertising, journalism, video |
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604 | 604 | | conferencing, wireless telecommunications, text-based channels, chat rooms, or |
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605 | 605 | | broadcast or streamed viewing enhancements. |
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606 | 606 | | f. A product or platform designed to stream linear media such as audio, video, |
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607 | 607 | | or pictures. |
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608 | 608 | | g. Small-scale electronic games embedded and used exclusively in advertising. |
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609 | 609 | | 6. XWagesY means wages, as defined in s. 71.63 (6), that are subject to |
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632 | 632 | | 23 2025 - 2026 Legislature |
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633 | 633 | | SENATE BILL 204 |
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634 | 634 | | - 14 - LRB-2552/1 |
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635 | 635 | | KP:cdc |
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636 | 636 | | SECTION 13 |
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637 | 637 | | withholding under subch. X and for which a statement under s. 71.65 (1) is |
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638 | 638 | | furnished. |
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639 | 639 | | (b) Filing claims. Subject to the limitations provided in this subsection, for |
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640 | 640 | | taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024, a claimant may claim as a credit |
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641 | 641 | | against the tax imposed under s. 71.43 any of the following amounts: |
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642 | 642 | | 1. An amount equal to 30 percent of the eligible wages paid by the person in |
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643 | 643 | | the taxable year. |
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644 | 644 | | 2. An amount equal to 30 percent of the eligible expenditures incurred by the |
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645 | 645 | | claimant in the taxable year. |
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646 | 646 | | (c) Limitations. 1. No credit may be allowed under this subsection unless the |
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647 | 647 | | claimant files an application with the department, at the time and in the manner |
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648 | 648 | | prescribed by the department, and the department approves the application. The |
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649 | 649 | | claimant shall submit a copy of the approved application with the claimant[s |
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650 | 650 | | return. |
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651 | 651 | | 2. No credit may be allowed under this subsection unless the claimant retains |
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652 | 652 | | at the claimant[s sole expense a certified public accountant licensed under ch. 442 |
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653 | 653 | | to review and certify to the department the total eligible expenditures incurred and |
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654 | 654 | | total eligible wages paid in the taxable and to conduct the audit required under s. |
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655 | 655 | | 73.03 (78) (c). No audit of a claimant required under s. 73.03 (78) (c) may be |
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656 | 656 | | performed by a certified public accountant that is part of an accounting entity that |
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657 | 657 | | is not determined by the department to be independent of the claimant, consistent |
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658 | 658 | | with s. 442.10 and as provided in the code of professional conduct of the American |
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659 | 659 | | Institute of Certified Public Accountants, or its successor organization, or as |
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682 | 682 | | 23 2025 - 2026 Legislature |
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683 | 683 | | SENATE BILL 204 |
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684 | 684 | | - 15 - LRB-2552/1 |
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685 | 685 | | KP:cdc |
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686 | 686 | | SECTION 13 |
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687 | 687 | | otherwise determined by the department. The certified public accountant shall do |
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688 | 688 | | all of the following: |
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689 | 689 | | a. Conduct the audit required under s. 73.03 (78) (c) according to any rules |
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690 | 690 | | promulgated by the department. |
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691 | 691 | | b. Verify each reported expenditure that is included in the audit and identify |
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692 | 692 | | and exclude each expenditure that does not satisfy this subsection. |
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693 | 693 | | (d) Administration. 1. Section 71.28 (4) (e), (g), and (h), as it applies to the |
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694 | 694 | | credit under s. 71.28 (4), applies to the credits under this subsection. |
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695 | 695 | | 2. If the allowable amount of the claim under par. (b) exceeds the tax |
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696 | 696 | | otherwise due under this chapter or no tax is due under this chapter, the amount of |
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697 | 697 | | the claim not used to offset the tax due shall be certified by the department of |
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698 | 698 | | revenue to the department of administration for payment by check, share draft, or |
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699 | 699 | | other draft drawn from the appropriation account under s. 20.835 (2) (de). |
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700 | 700 | | Notwithstanding s. 71.82 (1) (b), no interest shall be added to amounts certified |
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701 | 701 | | under this subdivision. |
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702 | 702 | | SECTION 14. 71.49 (1) (f) of the statutes is amended to read: |
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703 | 703 | | 71.49 (1) (f) The total of farmland preservation credit under subch. IX, jobs |
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704 | 704 | | credit under s. 71.47 (3q), enterprise zone jobs credit under s. 71.47 (3w), business |
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705 | 705 | | development credit under s. 71.47 (3y), research credit under s. 71.47 (4) (k) 1., |
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706 | 706 | | video game production credit under s. 71.47 (12), and estimated tax payments |
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707 | 707 | | under s. 71.48. |
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708 | 708 | | SECTION 15. 73.03 (78) of the statutes is created to read: |
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709 | 709 | | 73.03 (78) To implement a program to approve applications for a certificate |
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732 | 732 | | 23 2025 - 2026 Legislature |
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733 | 733 | | SENATE BILL 204 |
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734 | 734 | | - 16 - LRB-2552/1 |
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735 | 735 | | KP:cdc |
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736 | 736 | | SECTION 15 |
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737 | 737 | | for purposes of ss. 71.07 (12), 71.28 (12), and 71.47 (12). Application shall be made |
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738 | 738 | | to the department in each taxable year for which a certificate is desired. The |
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739 | 739 | | department may not approve an application unless all of the following apply: |
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740 | 740 | | (a) The applicant operates a business in this state and maintains a physical |
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741 | 741 | | business location in this state. |
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742 | 742 | | (b) The applicant owns a copyright in a video game production or platform, as |
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743 | 743 | | defined in s. 71.07 (12) (a) 5., or is actively seeking a copyright in a video game |
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744 | 744 | | production or platform. |
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745 | 745 | | (c) The applicant provides verification of eligible expenditures incurred and |
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746 | 746 | | eligible wages paid to claim the credit under s. 71.07 (12), 71.28 (12), or 71.47 (12) |
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747 | 747 | | and submits an audit of such eligible expenditures and eligible wages. |
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748 | 748 | | (d) The applicant certifies that the applicant will comply with the |
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749 | 749 | | requirements under s. 71.07 (12), 71.28 (12), or 71.47 (12). |
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750 | 750 | | (END) |
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