Wisconsin

The Wisconsin Department of Revenue (DOR) administers the state’s unclaimed property program under Wisconsin Statute Chapter 177, ensuring that dormant assets are safeguarded and, whenever possible, reunited with their rightful owners.

Overview of Wisconsin’s Unclaimed Property Law

Wisconsin law requires holders—including businesses, financial institutions, insurers, utilities, and other organizations—to report and remit property that remains unclaimed after the applicable dormancy period.

Common reportable property types include:

• Uncashed payroll and vendor checks
• Dormant checking and savings accounts
• Unclaimed life insurance benefits
• Securities and dividends
• Contents of safe deposit boxes

Once property meets its dormancy threshold, holders must make a good-faith effort to contact the owner before filing an unclaimed property report with the Wisconsin DOR.

Wisconsin Dormancy Periods

Dormancy periods determine how long property must remain inactive before it is reportable as unclaimed. Below are common timelines in Wisconsin:

Due Diligence Requirements in Wisconsin

Before reporting, holders must make a documented, good-faith effort to contact owners to prevent unnecessary escheatment.

Key requirements include:

• Mail notice: Send written notice via first-class mail to the owner’s last known address for property valued at $50 or more, at least 60 days and no more than 120 days prior to the report deadline.
• Notice content: Clearly state the nature of the property and provide instructions for claiming it.
• Best practice: While not required, supplemental outreach such as email or phone calls can improve reconnect rates and support stronger audit readiness.

Wisconsin Reporting Deadlines and Requirements

Wisconsin follows a consistent annual reporting cycle:

• Report Period: July 1 - June 30
• Report and Payment Deadline: November 1

Additional requirements:

• Format: Reports must be submitted electronically in NAUPA II format 
• Submission: Via the Wisconsin Unclaimed Property Holder Reporting Portal.
• Negative Reports: Not required when no unclaimed property exists.‍
• Remittance: Payments must be made via ACH Debit.

Wisconsin’s Voluntary Disclosure Program

Holders that have fallen behind may participate in Wisconsin’s Voluntary Disclosure Agreement (VDA) program to come into compliance without penalties or interest.

Program benefits:

• Waiver of penalties and interest for voluntarily disclosed property.
• Opportunity to resolve historical reporting gaps before enforcement actions.
• Cooperative framework with the DOR to streamline remediation.

How Eisen Helps You Stay Compliant in Wisconsin

Eisen simplifies Wisconsin compliance with tools and support designed to minimize manual effort, reduce reporting errors, and ensure audit readiness.

• Escheatment Manager: Identifies aged or inactive accounts, monitors dormancy thresholds, and generates Wisconsin-compliant reports.
• Outreach Manager: Automates due diligence notices, tracks outreach, and strengthens recontact success rates.
• Disbursement Manager: Handles secure, auditable payments (ACH, check, wire) and integrates with your accounting systems to streamline reconciliation.

Eisen also supports specialized compliance needs for sectors such as investment accounts, utilities, and health insurance providers.

Make Wisconsin Compliance a Seamless Part of Operations

Compliance with Wisconsin’s unclaimed property laws isn’t just about meeting statutory requirements—it’s about building customer trust and protecting your organization’s integrity. With Eisen’s automated solutions, you can reduce risk, improve operational efficiency, and focus on what matters most: serving your customers.

Looking to compare compliance requirements across jurisdictions? Explore our complete guide to escheatment laws by state. Discover how Eisen’s escheatment services can streamline your unclaimed property operations.