Wisconsin Incentives

General Funding Info

Wisconsin Energy Office -Office of Energy Independence

Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy (DSIRE)

Financing Your Renewable Project

Wisconsin Tax and Grant Opportunities

Food processors and others looking to claim the WI Food Processing Plant and Food Warehouse Investment Credit are reminded that the program has been transferred from the former Wisconsin Department of Commerce to the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP).

Applications must be completed and either postmarked or delivered to DATCP after the end of the applicant's taxable year in which the eligible capital investment occurred, and no later than February 15 of the subsequent tax year.

The application form and a further description of the program is available on the DATCP website at http://datcp.wi.gov/Business/Tax_Credits/index.aspx. If you have further questions, please call DATCP's Mike Bandli at (608)224-5136 or email mike.bandli@wisconsin.gov.

Woody Biomass Harvesting & Processing Investment Credit – Responses due February 12, 2012, annually thereafter

The Wisconsin Woody Biomass Harvesting & Processing Investment Credit is a refundable tax credit for businesses who have invested to modernize or expand Woody Biomass Harvesting & Processing Operations in Wisconsin. Woody biomass means ”trees & woody plants, including limbs, tops, needles, leaves, & other woody parts, grown in a forest or woodland or on agricultural land.” Tax credits are earned by incurring eligible expenses for Woody Biomass Harvesting & Processing equipment used primarily for Woody Biomass Harvesting & Processing that is used as fuel or as a component of fuel; & if acquired & placed in servicein Wisconsin during taxable years that end after June 30, 2011, & before January 1, 2016. "Used primarily" means used to the exclusion of all other uses except for use not exceeding 25 percent of total use. More Information

Renewable Fuel Infrastructure Tax Credit – Credit Expires December 31, 2017
A tax credit is available for 25% of the cost to install or retrofit fueling stations in WI that dispense motor vehicle fuel blends of at least 85% ethanol or at least 20% biodiesel fuel, or that mix fuels from separate storage tanks & allow the user to select the percentage of renewable fuel. The maximum credit is $5,000 per taxable year for each fueling station that has installed or retrofitted a pump. Motor vehicle fuel means gasoline or diesel fuel.

Ongoing

Alternative Fuel Tax Exemption
No county, city, village, town, or other political subdivision is allowed to levy or collect any excise, license, privilege, or occupational tax on motor vehicle fuel or alternative fuels, or on the purchase, sale, handling, or consumption of motor vehicle fuel or alternative fuels.

Beginning Farmer and Farm Asset Owner Tax Credit Program
This program provides a refundable income tax credit for established farmers based on 15% of the annual cash lease
payments of depreciable agriculture assets. Established farmers may receive credit for the first 3 years of a lease
agreement.

Biodiesel Fuel Use Incentive
Wisconsin DPI provides financial aid to school districts using biodiesel to operate school buses to cover the incremental cost of purchasing biodiesel as compared to the cost of petroleum diesel fuel. If, in any fiscal year, insufficient funds are available to provide school districts with the full amount of reimbursement for which a school district qualifies, DPI will prorate the available funds among entitled school districts on a per pupil basis.

Renewable Fuel Producer Excise Tax and Inspection Exemption
The first 1,000 gallons of renewable fuel an individual produces each year are exempt from the motor vehicle fuel excise tax, the petroleum inspection fee, & any petroleum inspection requirements not required under federal law. These exemptions only apply if the fuel is used in the individual's personal vehicle & is not sold. An individual may also produce renewable fuel for personal use without a business tax registration certificate or a motor vehicle fuel tax license.

River Falls Municipal Utilities Renewable Energy Finance Program Save Some Green
RFMU offers loans to its residential customers for the installation of PV, solar thermal, geothermal, wind electric systems, & energy efficiency measures in connection with a qualifying renewable energy project, provided the renewable energy portion is at least 50% of project costs. Renewable electricity generations systems must be connected to the RFMU distribution grid. Loan terms vary, but range from 5- 20 years at a current interest rate of 4%. The program is unique in that the repayment of loans takes place as a special fee on the customer's annual property tax bill.

Wisconsin's Focus on Energy Program
(Focus on Energy 2011 Renewable Energy Incentives were dropped for businesses. Residential grants may still be still available.)

Federal Grant Opportunities

Grants.gov is the single access point for several grant programs offered by Federal grant making agencies. It allows organizations to electronically find and apply for more than $400 billion in Federal grants.

USDA Business and Community Grant Assistance

Wisconsin USDA Office
Stan Gruszynski, State Director
4949 Kirschling Court
Stevens Point, WI 54481
Voice: (715) 345-7600
Fax: (715) 345-7669
www.rurdev.usda.gov/wi/

Wisconsin Office of Energy Independence

Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy (DSIRE)