Recently Lt. Governor Rebecca Kleefisch and Revenue Secretary Rick Chandler launched a new website, TaxReform.wi.gov, so all Wisconsinites can add their ideas and input to the ongoing conversation about tax reform.

TaxReform.wi.gov is an interactive tool for individuals to learn about taxes and share their own thoughts. It includes videos and news coverage from past roundtables and informational presentations about taxation in Wisconsin and other states.

TaxReform.wi.gov is part of a broader initiative to engage all of Wisconsin in an open conversation about tax reform. Undertaken at the request of Governor Scott Walker, the tax reform tour has hosted roundtables across the state. These meetings have included a wide variety of perspectives: small business owners, farmers, veterans, realtors, retirees, doctors, and working parents, among many others.

Lt. Gov Kleefisch and Sec. Chandler will be in Rhinelander tomorrow, March 7th for a tax reform roundtable at Nicolet College beginning at 10:30am.

DOR Forms Available Online: Forms and instructions for individuals, local governments, and businesses are always available on the state Department of Revenue’s website. Visit DOR’s “Forms” page for more information by clicking here.

Tax Incentives for Businesses: This page provides a convenient collection of links to available tax credits, deductions, and grant programs aimed at growing the state's economy. Additionally, information regarding tools for local government is located here, including Tax Incremental Financing Districts and WEDC's Brownfields Redevelopment Program.

Do You Qualify for the IRS Free File? As the tax deadline approaches, it is important to know there are services available to ease the process of filing your income taxes. Nearly 40 million taxpayers have used Free File since it debuted in 2003. These taxpayers have saved more than an estimated $1.2 billion by using Free File.

IRS Free File is available to taxpayers who made $58,000 or less in 2013. IRS Free File provides access to tax preparation software as well as a step-by-step guide to help you prepare and e-file your tax returns online. You can learn more by clicking on the "free file" link provided.

The first Obamacare open enrollment period is set to end on March 31, 2014. As with any new, large-scale program, fraudsters and identity thieves may try to take advantage of consumers who may be unfamiliar with the specifics of the program. Since the enrollment period began in October of last year, the Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ), the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance (OCI), the Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection (DATCP), and the Department of Health Services (DHS) have been working together, and with other states and federal agencies, to identify fraudulent schemes and protect consumers from them.

Of particular concern is the potential for fraudulent telemarketers and Web sites designed to obtain consumers' personal information or steal their money. You can protect yourself by taking a few precautions:

• Check with OCI. The best way to protect yourself from insurance fraud is to research the agent and company you're considering. Always STOP before writing a check, signing a contract or giving out personal information. CALL the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance and CONFIRM that the agent and company are licensed to write insurance in Wisconsin. OCI's contact information is:
Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance
Phone: (608) 266-3585, Madison
(800) 236-8517, statewide
Web site: http://oci.wi.gov

• Verify the legitimacy of Web sites you visit. Using search engines may lead you to fraudulent Web sites if you are not careful. A good practice is to type the name of the Web site you want into your browser window rather than merely searching for information about the Affordable Care Act. The official site is www.healthcare.gov. Other federal and state governmental Web sites provide links to legitimate sites related to the ACA.

• Keep good records. Keep a record of everyone who assists you, for whom they work, their telephone number, address, e-mail address and Web site.

• Think before signing. Don't sign anything you don't fully understand.

• Be suspicious. Are you being asked to transact business in an unusual way—for example by using a money order or by buying a money card? Stop, call and confirm. Also note, insurance discount cards are not the same as insurance.

• Don't give in to high pressure tactics. Threats, limited time offers or misinformation about Medicare are "red flags." You cannot go to jail for failing to enroll in the Affordable Care Act. If you are on Medicare, you do not need to enroll in the ACA or re-apply for Medicare.
 

Members of the bipartisan Speakers Taskforce on Rural Schools attend Cuba City meeting

This week the Speaker's Task Force on Rural Schools held its final committee hearing. Our final visit was to Benton and Cuba City in southwestern Wisconsin, and the public hearing was in the Cuba City High School.
With about 44 percent of the state's public school students attending schools in rural communities (http://rural.dpi.wi.gov), it is critical that we identify solutions to the complex issues facing our schools, including declining enrollment and transportation needs. We are working now on compiling our findings from the hearings, and will issue the final task force report later in March.

Today it was announced that Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker will serve as the next Chair of the Midwestern Governors Association (MGA), with his term starting immediately. As part of the announcement, Governor Walker said his primarily focus as Chair will be on strengthening the propane supply chain.

“These past few months we learned that our propane supply can be as unpredictable as Mother Nature,” Governor Walker said. “As Chair of the MGA I intend to create a working group comprised of government leaders, industry leaders, and those working in and with the propane industry, to improve propane operations, enhance consumer awareness and strengthen industry preparedness. Although it is hard to even think about next winter when there is still snow on the ground in Wisconsin, many are expecting next year’s propane supply and demand issues to be equally challenging to the industry. It’s paramount that we bring people together to focus on solutions and find ways to mitigate several of these issues, such as increasing the number of propane tanks filled in summer instead of fall, and I’m very grateful my fellow Governors are interested in engaging in this issue with me.”

Governor Walker assumes the MGA Chair role from Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton.

The MGA is a nonprofit, bipartisan organization that brings together the governors of Midwestern states to work cooperatively on issues of importance to the region. Current members of the MGA are Gov. Pat Quinn (Ill.), Gov. Mike Pence (Ind.), Gov. Terry Branstad (Iowa), Gov. Sam Brownback (Kansas), Gov. Rick Snyder (Mich.), Gov. Mark Dayton (Minn.), Gov. Jay Nixon (Mo.), Gov. John Kasich (Ohio) and Gov. Scott Walker (Wis.).