Sen. Smith authors bill in Wisconsin Senate allowing dual tax credits

Jeffrey E. Smith, Wisconsin State Senator 31st District | Official Website

By F. E. Harris

May 21, 2025

The new bill authored by State Sen. Jeff Smith in the Wisconsin Senate seeks to allow individuals to claim both farmland preservation and veterans property tax credits in the same tax year, according to the Wisconsin State Senate.

According to the Wisconsin State Legislature's official website, the bill was described as follows: "certain limitations on claiming the veterans and surviving spouses property tax credit. (FE)".

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill amends existing legislation to permit individuals to claim both the farmland preservation tax credit and the veterans and surviving spouses property tax credit in the same tax year, a change from the current restriction that allows only one credit per year. Under the current law, the farmland preservation tax credit is available to individuals if their land is engaged in agricultural use and meets certain criteria such as being part of a farmland preservation agreement or zoning district. Meanwhile, eligible veterans or surviving spouses can claim a separate refundable credit equaling the property taxes paid on their primary residence in Wisconsin. The amendments outlined in this bill first apply to taxable years beginning on Jan. 1, 2025.

The bill was co-authored by Representative Christian Phelps (Democrat-93rd District), Senator Dianne H. Hesselbein (Democrat-27th District), Senator Sarah Keyeski (Democrat-14th District), Senator Chris Larson (Democrat-7th District), Senator Mark Spreitzer (Democrat-15th District). It was co-sponsored by Representative Margaret Arney (Democrat-18th District), Representative Mike Bare (Democrat-80th District), and Representative Elijah R. Behnke (Republican-6th District), along 15 other co-sponsors.

Jeff Smith has authored or co-authored another 19 bills since the beginning of the 2025 session, with none of them being enacted.

Smith, a Democrat, was elected to the Wisconsin State Senate in 2019 to represent the state's 31st Senate district, replacing previous state senator Kathleen Vinehout.

In Wisconsin, the legislative process starts when a senator, constituent, group, or agency proposes an idea for a bill. After drafting, the bill is introduced, numbered, and referred to a committee for review and public input. If approved, it moves through three readings and votes in both the Senate and Assembly. Once both chambers pass the same version, the bill goes to the governor, who can sign it, veto it, or let it become law without a signature. Only a small share of bills introduced each session ultimately become law. You can learn more about the Wisconsin legislative process here.

Bills Introduced by Jeff Smith in Wisconsin Senate During 2025 Regular Session