Wisconsin Earned Income, Homestead, Dependent Care, and Property Tax Relief

What it offers

Wisconsin offers several tax-relief programs relevant to caregiver households. The Wisconsin earned income credit is refundable and supports working families with at least one qualifying child; for 2025 it is calculated as 4% of the federal EITC for one qualifying child, 11% for two, and 34% for three or more. The Homestead Credit softens the impact of property taxes and rent for lower-income residents and may be filed on Schedule H or H-EZ; for 2025, claimants generally must be Wisconsin residents all year, age 18 or older, have household income under $24,680, and have earned income, disability, or age 62-plus status, with a maximum credit of $1,168. Wisconsin's additional child and dependent care credit is computed on Schedule WI-2441 and is largely based on the federal child and dependent care credit, including care for a qualifying child under age 13, a disabled spouse, or a disabled dependent so the taxpayer can work or look for work. Wisconsin also has a refundable Veterans and Surviving Spouses Property Tax Credit for eligible veterans with a 100% service-connected disability or individual unemployability and qualifying unremarried surviving spouses, plus property-tax bill credits and WHEDA property tax deferral loans for elderly homeowners.

Questions that decide eligibility

GiveCare prepares the questions; the program makes the decision. Bring these to the call or the application:

1. 01

   Does the person receiving care live in Wisconsin?

   Residency is usually the first thing a program checks.

2. 02

   Does the VA disability rating meet the program’s minimum (our record lists null%)?

3. 03

   Do the work hours meet the minimum (our record lists null hours)?

4. 04

   Which tax year does this apply to, and what form claims it?

5. 05

   Does your employer already offer this, and have they told staff?

   Some credits are claimed by the employer, not by you — asking is the move.