WISCONSINREPORT.COM (12/17/07) - The Wisconsin Department of Revenue (DOR) has announced that 27 field offices around the state will be closed as part of a consolidation into seven regional offices. When the restructuring of the operations of the agency is finished there will be regional offices located in Appleton-Green Bay, Eau Claire, Madison, Milwaukee, Wausau and Chicago. These regional offices are expected to continue providing comprehensive services to taxpayers. The regional system will rely heavily on new technology. The plan is designed to slim down the agency budget.

“This new regional approach will allow us to employ the latest technology, streamline services and save money over the long-term, maximizing our resources to best serve our customers,” said Revenue Secretary Roger M. Ervin.

“One of Governor Doyle’s highest priorities is developing modern, market-driven government agencies that better serve the public with more effective and less expensive operations,” Ervin said.

The Department plans to close the 20 field offices over the next three years as office leases expire. The first office scheduled is in La Crosse, which will close December 21, 2007.

Staff will continue to service taxpayers through the regional offices, and some field personnel with specialized work assignments will still reside in local areas.

During the peak of next year’s income tax season, the Department will maintain office hours for customer assistance at other government office buildings and Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites.

DOR is encouraging taxpayers to use its centralized customer assistance phone number and access its website at www.revenue.wi.gov.

The Wisconsin Department of Revenue urges taxpayers to electronically file taxes as a means to ensure more accurate returns and receive tax refunds more quickly.

The office consolidation is part of a larger effort to reorganize the agency to best meet the needs of taxpayers and to increase productivity.

Other planned initiatives include an improved web presence, more electronic filing and auditing options for businesses, and the development of an electronic property tax system.