Connect with us

As I See It

End income tax for Wisconsin retirees

Published

on

I have reached the age when many of my friends are starting to retire. Some of my closest friends who recently retired have decided to move to other parts of the country to spend their retirement. They made the decision not just to seek a warmer climate, but also a more friendly environment for those on a fixed income. They moved in part because that state is one of a handful that does not tax retirement income. Clearly, their dollars will go farther without having to pay the tax man every April. Wisconsin lawmakers are now considering doing something  similar in Wisconsin, making it a tax-free retirement state. Under the legislation, the first $100,000 of retirement income for those at least 67 years old would be exempt from income tax. That would increase to $150,000 for married couples. This makes sense. Allowing those who worked all their lives to avoid paying income taxes in their later years would encourage some retirees to stay in Wisconsin and spend their money here. They shouldn’t have to choose between staying in their own home, in their own community, or relocating so they can afford to live on a fixed income without being taxed to death.

Scott Robert Shaw serves as WIZM Program Director and News Director, and delivers the morning news on WKTY, Z-93 and 95.7 The Rock. Scott has been at Mid-West Family La Crosse since 1989, and authors Wisconsin's only daily radio editorial, "As I See It" heard on WIZM each weekday morning and afternoon.

Continue Reading
9 Comments

9 Comments

  1. Joan Filipiak

    July 18, 2023 at 12:51 pm

    Also school taxes should not be charged to retirees. They paid them all the years, and being retired do not have children going to school. Some Never had children, thus paid in all their lives for no return…
    Property taxes on srs is terrible too…cut their property taxes in half….

  2. Kristine Schoolcraft

    July 18, 2023 at 1:53 pm

    Do it!
    Retirees deserve this after paying taxes all their life.

  3. Daniel Draeger

    July 18, 2023 at 7:19 pm

    How about disabled retirees under age 67?

  4. Gordy

    July 18, 2023 at 7:58 pm

    Would get us to stay. As it is we are looking at retirement friendly states, as are our friends. Even thinking about side by side condos with them.

  5. Diane

    July 19, 2023 at 7:56 am

    As a retiree, this would be a big boost to me. There are enough expenses dealing with failing health issues. Please give your positive consideration in making this change!

    • Sharon Schultz

      July 20, 2023 at 5:05 pm

      I agree. Each year gets tougher to live from retirement pay check to the next. No quality of life.

  6. Darlene Liston

    July 19, 2023 at 8:35 am

    Totally agree

  7. Kevin

    July 20, 2023 at 8:40 pm

    How about freezing their property tax at full retirement.

  8. walden

    July 29, 2023 at 3:10 pm

    Wisconsin doesn’t tax social security benefits. Other sources of income are taxed.

    Property taxes are high because taxpayers keep voluntarily feeding an overfunded & underperforming La Crosse School District. Stop accepting the lies behind the referendums and your taxes will decrease.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *