Do I need to include my 1040 with my WI state return?

[doughensel]

I'm not sure if I need to include a copy of my federal return with my WI state return, or just the WI Form 1 and any other schedules/w2s, etc.

[ErnieS0]

Yes. Wisconsin requires a complete copy of your federal return.

Begin by putting the four pages of Form 1 in numerical order. Then, attach, using a paper clip, the following in the order listed.

Note: If filing Form 804, Claim for Decedent's Wisconsin Income Tax Refund, with the return, place Form 804 on top of Form 1.

1. Payment – If you owe an amount with your return, paper clip your payment to the front of Form 1, unless you are paying by credit card or online.
2. Wisconsin schedules – Copies of appropriate Wisconsin schedules and supporting documents, such as Schedule H or H‑EZ (homestead credit), Schedule FC or FC‑A (farmland preservation credit), or Schedule CR. If you are reporting income and expenses of a disregarded entity, attach Schedule DE, Disregarded Entity Schedule.
3. Forms W-2 or 1099 – The appropriate copy of each of your withholding statements (Forms W‑2, W‑2G, 1099‑G, 1099‑R, 1099‑MISC, and 1099-NEC).
4. Federal return – A complete copy of your federal return (Form 1040 or 1040-SR) and its supporting schedules and forms (such as federal Form 8886, Reportable Transaction Disclosure Statement.)
5. Divorce decree
6. Injured spouse – If you are filing federal Form 8379.

[Mike9241]

if you e-file you save yourself the hassle of attaching the federal return and the cost of mailing and the possibility the USPS will lose your return. if you are due a refund you'll get it sooner by e-filing. 

[JayJayW]

I do see that the Wisconsin filling instructions say to include a complete copy of my federal return, so why did Turbo Tax not indicate to include my 1040?  Turbo Tax as usual provided all the forms and schedules to be filed (mailed) and as always says to include my W2, 1099, etc. but nothing about my 1040.?

[JotikaT2]

When you electronically file your state tax return, all required forms would be submitted to Wisconsin including the federal return that is required to be attached.

Did you electronically file and are now attempting to print out your return for your records?  If so, this could be why your federal return isn't attached in your client copy.

If however, you are trying to print and mail your returns, as pointed out above, the forms should print out.  Make sure you are selecting Filing copy to ensure all required attachments are included with your state return.

Wisconsin filing instructions

@JayJayW

[JayJayW]

Thank you for the quick response.  I did not electronically file my Wisconsin return.  I'm planning on mailing it in.  I printed out everything Turbo Tax included in the "All official forms required for filing" as I have with Turbo Tax for over 10 years.  In the past I have seen it include the first page of the 1040 and stated it was required in the "File by mail instructions" created by Turbo Tax.  In this case it makes no mention of the 1040, yet the Wisconsin instructions say I need to include the complete 1040 with schedules.  That would be almost 20 pages for me.  It was only by accident that I read the Wisconsin filing instructions that I learned this.  Usually I just trust Turbo Tax. 

[trowe63]

Ok, I know WI requires us to submit copies of our federal forms. I am curious as to why the federal forms were not part of what printed to file for WI. It did not print last year either and it caused a delay in our taxes being processed because we did not submit all the required forms. We have used TurboTax for many years and I've come to rely on it. We have not had any problems until last year (2021) and now this year (2022) it's the same problem; the federal forms were not included in what had to be submitted to the state of WI. What is going on with TurboTax? If this happens again next year, we may move to a different tax software.