Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce called on Apr. 15 for significant changes to the state’s tax policies, saying that lower taxes would help make Wisconsin more competitive for families and businesses.
The organization said high property and income taxes are making it harder for Wisconsin to attract and retain both employers and residents. The statement points out that Wisconsin has some of the highest property taxes in the country, as well as a corporate tax rate of 7.9 percent—the twelfth highest nationally—and a top individual income tax rate of 7.65 percent, which is also among the highest in the nation.
According to Evan Umpir, Director of Communications & Marketing at Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce, “Tax Day should be more than a filing deadline — it should be a reckoning. Wisconsin’s tax structure is holding our state and Wisconsinites back while other states move forward. Failing to act will only deepen our affordability and workforce challenges. If we want Wisconsin to compete, grow, and retain families and job creators, meaningful tax reform is no longer optional — it’s essential.”
Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce promotes economic growth by supporting employers across sectors and advancing workforce development initiatives according to its official website. The group represents more than 3,800 member companies from various industries according to its official website, aiming to position the state as highly competitive for business through advocacy work, education efforts, and support for free enterprise according to its official website.
The organization is led by an executive team along with a board made up of business leaders according to its official website. It serves employers throughout Wisconsin according to its official website while focusing on influencing policy areas such as economic development and workforce training in order to create a supportive environment for businesses according to its official website.
Umpir said that if lawmakers do not address these issues soon with meaningful reforms—such as adopting flatter or lower rates—Wisconsin risks falling further behind neighboring states in attracting jobs and new residents.
