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WI · Tax Credit

Wisconsin Workforce Training Tax Credits: What Employers Can Claim

Wisconsin's only training-related business tax credit found is the Business Development Tax Credit from WEDC. It is refundable, covers up to 50% of eligible training costs plus job creation and capital investment, and fits larger expansion projects: the minimum capital investment is $250,000. You must be certified by WEDC before activities count. The federal Work Opportunity Tax Credit has lapsed for people who start work after Dec. 31, 2025.

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  • State pre-filled: WI
  • Program type pre-filled: tax_credit
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HOW IT WORKS

Four steps, in this order.

  1. 1

    Call your WEDC regional development director before you commit to the project

  2. 2

    If invited, apply through Network Wisconsin

  3. 3

    WEDC decides within 90 days and signs a contract with you

  4. 4

    Report each year; WEDC verifies credits and you claim them on your Wisconsin return

2 VERIFIED PROGRAMS

Where the Wisconsin money comes from.

Run by Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC). Every figure is from an official page, linked on each card.

WEDC Business Development Tax Credit (training, job creation, capital investment)

Up to 50% of training costs, refundable
OPEN, CONTINUOUS APPLICATION
WHAT YOU GET

Credits for eligible activities. Training: up to 50% of eligible training costs. Job creation: up to 10% of annual wages of eligible employees, plus up to 5% in economically distressed areas, on wages up to $100,000.

HOW MUCH

Training up to 50% of eligible training costs. Calendar year 2026 statewide credit cap is $22,000,000, with up to $10,000,000 more by reallocation. Credits are refundable.

WHO RECEIVES THE MONEY

The certified business, as a refundable credit against Wisconsin income or franchise tax.

WHO QUALIFIES
  • Capital investment of at least $250,000, or $10,000 per eligible employee for smaller projects, plus new or retained full-time jobs
  • Net Wisconsin employment must not drop below the base year
  • Offer at least 50% of health insurance costs to eligible employees
  • Training must relate to the project, not day-to-day operations; retail, farms, hospitality, financial institutions and others are generally excluded
Before you start: Yes. Only activities after the WEDC certification date count and a WEDC contract is required.
HOW TO APPLY
  1. 1Contact a WEDC regional development director or account manager
  2. 2If the project fits, WEDC invites you to apply through Network Wisconsin
  3. 3Sign the contract, report annually, and attach WEDC's verification to your tax return

Deadlines and windows: Continuous application. WEDC approves or denies within 90 days of a complete application. Certification generally covers a three-year earning period.

SOURCE: WEDCAZURECDN.BLOB.CORE.WINDOWS.NET

Work Opportunity Tax Credit (federal, administered through DWD)

Lapsed for hires after Dec 31, 2025
LAPSED FOR 2026 HIRES
WHAT YOU GET

Nothing for new hires: the credit has lapsed for people who begin work after Dec. 31, 2025. Hires who started on or before that date may still be claimed.

HOW MUCH

Not available for 2026 hires. The IRS page, updated July 20, 2026, shows no extension.

WHO RECEIVES THE MONEY

The employer, as a federal income tax credit.

WHO QUALIFIES
  • Applies only to hires who began work on or before Dec. 31, 2025
  • Needs certification from the state workforce agency
Before you start: Certification request within 28 days of the start date for covered hires.
HOW TO APPLY
  1. 1Check the IRS WOTC page for any new extension
  2. 2Contact the DWD or your Job Center business services team for 2025 hires

Deadlines and windows: Hire dates through Dec. 31, 2025 only, unless Congress extends it.

SOURCE: IRS.GOV
LOCAL BOARDS

Same program, different rules by board.

WEDC regional development directors

BTC projects start with a conversation with your WEDC regional development director.

SOURCE: WEDC.ORG
AVOID THESE

What gets Wisconsin Tax Credit claims denied.

STRAIGHT ANSWERS

Wisconsin Tax Credit questions.

Is there a Wisconsin tax credit just for training?

Not one found. Training is one eligible activity under the WEDC Business Development Tax Credit, which also needs capital investment and jobs.

SOURCE: WEDCAZURECDN.BLOB.CORE.WINDOWS.NET
Is the credit refundable?

Yes. If credits exceed tax due, the excess is refunded. They cannot be transferred.

SOURCE: WEDCAZURECDN.BLOB.CORE.WINDOWS.NET
Can I claim WOTC for someone I hire in 2026?

No. The IRS says WOTC covers people who begin work on or before Dec. 31, 2025. Check the IRS page for any later law.

SOURCE: IRS.GOV
What counts as an eligible training cost?

The cost of the trainer, training materials, trainee wages in the classroom, or trainer cost and trainee wages in on-the-job training. Travel, food and lodging do not count.

SOURCE: WEDCAZURECDN.BLOB.CORE.WINDOWS.NET

How we checked. Every fact on this page comes from a state agency, a local workforce board or federal regulation, read on . Where a board publishes nothing, we say so instead of guessing. Programs and funding change often; confirm with the program before you commit. Written by Jason Meehl, founder of Reimbursa. Found an error? Email hello@reimbursa.com.

OTHER PROGRAMS IN WISCONSIN

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