As a result of a change in Wisconsin Law (2021 Wis. Act 1), the Wisconsin Department of Revenue (WI DOR) has reviewed all Certificate of Exempt Status (CES) numbers issued in the past and has issued a new 15-digit CES number beginning with 008 to qualifying organizations.
- Retailers: May accept a 6-digit or 15-digit CES numbers from organizations making purchases exempt from Wisconsin sales and use tax through June 30, 2022. Beginning July 1, 2022, only the 15-digit number is acceptable.
- Organizations with a CES number: May use a 15-digit or 6-digit CES number until June 30, 2022. Beginning July 1, 2022, only the 15-digit CES number is valid.
- Effective July 1, 2022, all organizations making purchases from the University of Wisconsin that qualify to make purchases exempt from Wisconsin Sales and Use Tax must provide the University of Wisconsin a new CES with the new 15-digit CES number required by Wisconsin Law.
- If the University of Wisconsin does not receive a new CES with the 15-digit CES prior to any purchase, applicable Wisconsin Sales and Use Tax will be withheld and remitted to the Wisconsin Department of Revenue, without exception. After applicable Sales and Use Tax is submitted to the Wisconsin Department of Revenue, the University of Wisconsin cannot refund the Sales and Use Tax, but the purchaser must contact the Wisconsin Department of Revenue for any applicable refunds.
Below you can review a template that may be used by any University of Wisconsin campus/division/department to request a new CES with the new 15-digit CES:
Template – Request to update Wisconsin Certificate of Exemption Status (CES) Number