eWOTC Help

About eWOTC

The Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) program offers a federal income tax credit incentive to private-sector employers who hire individuals from certain target groups who consistently have faced high rates of unemployment.

Wisconsin's eWOTC system was developed to assist employers and their designated consultants to submit online applications requesting certification for new hires, to view the status of submitted applications, and to print the resulting notices (certifications and denials) generated by those applications.

eWOTC is available 24/7 except during maintenance or system upgrades.

Review the Wisconsin eWOTC Terms of Use Statement for Employers and Consultants.

If you have any questions please email WOTC Staff at DETWOTC@dwd.wisconsin.gov.

Supported Browsers

eWOTC is tested using Edge as well as the latest versions of Mozilla Firefox and Google Chrome. eWOTC may work with other versions of these browsers as well. The intention of the site is to work with any standards compliant browser.

If you are using another browser, we recommend that you use Edge, Firefox, or Chrome which are all free downloads.

Help

For questions regarding the WOTC program or a particular submitted application, or questions about use of the automated system please email the WOTC Unit at DETWOTC@dwd.wisconsin.gov, or by clicking the Email icon on your Dashboard.

The WOTC Unit fax number is 608-264-9682.

There is a Help link in the upper left corner of the eWOTC screen.

Essential Terms:

Certification Request – A request to a state workforce agency (Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development – WOTC Unit) to certify an individual as a member of a targeted group for purposes of qualifying for the Work Opportunity Tax Credit. The request is a result of completion of the IRS Pre-Screening Notice and Certification Request for the Work Opportunity Credit (Form 8850) by the job applicant and the employer and completion of the Individual Characteristics Form (ICF) ETA 9061.
Employer – The employing entity that is requesting certification to receive the WOTC credit for employing a qualified member of a target group designated by the WOTC program.
Eligible employee – The individual hired by the employer, who meets the criteria of a target group.
Consultant – An intermediary to serve as an authorized representative of the employer, through written Power of Attorney (POA) designation, to conduct WOTC business for the employer. This includes submission of the two required application forms, Form 8850 and ETA 9061, submission of additional requested documentation, and receipt of results of submitted applications.
Hire Date – The date an employee was hired. This date is used for target group eligibility.
Start Date – The date a hired individual actually begins working for the employer. This may be, but is not necessarily, the same as the "hire date." The start date is the date that is critical when determining timeliness of submission of a Certification Request Form 8850 either by using the automated online application system or by mailing or faxing the Form 8850 to the WOTC Unit.
Timely filed – The application must be successfully submitted using the online automated processing system, postmarked, if the paper application is mailed to the WOTC Unit using the USPS, or faxed to the WOTC Unit, no later than the 28th day after the job applicant’s start date. When the 28th calendar day falls on a Saturday, Sunday or federal legal holiday, the next succeeding business day, which is not a Saturday, Sunday or federal legal holiday, will be treated as the last day of the 28-day period. Applications submitted late through either the automated system, by postmark, or by fax will be denied.
Forms Owner – The Consultant or Employer who submits applications through the automated system can choose to retain the two original paper application forms, IRS 8850 and ETA 9061, and not mail the forms to the WOTC Unit as has traditionally been required. Use of the automated system does not relieve the employer of having the job applicant complete page one of the 8850 and sign and date the form and of the employer having to complete, sign and date page two of the 8850 once a job applicant is hired. The data entered into the automated system is taken directly from both the 8850 and 9061 forms. The paper forms must then be retained by the employer and made available to the IRS should the employer be subject to a tax audit.

Employer/Consultant Access Requests

eWOTC Users Are Required to Have Unique Account Credentials

It is State of Wisconsin IT Security Policy that individuals attempting to access state agency-managed networks (internal or external), or enterprise systems, must be uniquely identified and authenticated before establishing a connection. All Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD) system and application accounts, including eWOTC, are intended to be single-user and single-session.

Only one user has access rights to eWOTC with their account credentials (login username and password) and only one browser session of eWOTC may be open with those account credentials. Corporate, shared, group, or office-wide use of a single set of DWD account credentials (account username and password) are prohibited.

Repeated failed or invalid login attempts or multiple simultaneous logins using a single set of DWD account credentials may be perceived by DWD cybersecurity safeguards as malevolent or fraudulent activity. In addition to account credential sharing, multiple simultaneous browser sessions, multiple concurrent logins to the same workstation, or multiple logins in from a single IP address/shared proxy server may also result in login failures, system errors, access denial errors, locked accounts, or revocation of system access by DWD's IT Security.

Create a Username and Password

On the eWOTC Home screen, click Login in the header.
Either logon with an existing DWD/Wisconsin Logon or click Create a Logon link.
Review the User Acceptance Agreement by clicking View More link and click Accept button.
Enter information to create logon, click Submit button.
Enter the Username and Password you just created. Click Login button.

Request Access to eWOTC

On the Contact Registration screen, choose appropriate Employer Contact Registration or Consultant Contact Registration button.
Enter your information (required fields have a *) and click the Save button.
Wisconsin WOTC staff will review your request and you will receive an email (to the address provided during registration) as soon as your access is approved.

Logon to eWOTC

Click Login in the header.
Enter the Username and Password you just created. Click Login button.
You will be navigated to your Dashboard.

Passwords
Users may change his/her password at any time by accessing DWD/Wisconsin Logon Management System. The WOTC Unit cannot assist with passwords.

Employer/Consultant Functions

Dashboard
The eWOTC dashboard provides access to perform the various Employer/Consultant system functions:

Notifications Warning Icon
If you have needs letters or expiring POAs this line will appear, click the red icon to navigate to them.

Search For An Existing Application
Click on the Application Search icon. You can search by First Name, Last Name, Employer Name, or Start Date. Enter your search criteria and click Search button. To work with an application click the Application # link.

Add an Application
Click on the Application Add icon.
New Hire Data
Enter all data pertaining to the Job Applicant (all required fields have a *). New Hire data is at top of the 8850 form and follows through the other appropriate forms.

8850 Prescreening Notice and Certification Request Form
Check any boxes that are applicable to the Job Applicant, enter all required fields and click Save and Continue button. If any of these boxes are checked, you will be directed next to complete the 9061 form.

IRS 8850 Form Instructions

9061 Individual Characteristics Form
Check any boxes that are applicable to the Job Applicant, enter all required information and click Save and Continue button. If box 1 is checked you will be directed next to complete the 9062 form.

ETA 9061 Form Instructions

9062 Conditional Certification Form
Check any boxes that are applicable to the Job Applicant, enter all required information and click Save and Continue button.

ETA 9062 Form Instructions

Upload Supporting Documents Upload Icon

Choose Document Type from the dropdown list.
Browse for document by clicking the Browse button.
Add comments (optional unless Document Type is "Other").
Click Upload button.

Only .pdf documents up to 1024 KB can be uploaded. An error message will be displayed if you attempt to upload a document with a different file extension, or that is larger than 1024 KB. If your file size is too large you can decrease it before uploading the file. With the pdf document open click File, then Save As Other and then Reduced Size PDF. Choose the latest version of Acrobat from the dropdown and click OK. File size is reduced.
If you see the following message when you attempt to upload a document:
Warning! File NOT uploaded. File name cannot contain special characters (such as @, &, #). Go to where your document is stored and either rename it without the special characters, or save it as a different document with no special characters in the file name. Return to Supporting Documents tab and upload the document with the new name.
Your uploaded document will be scanned for viruses during the upload process. If a virus is found, your document will not be uploaded. If you have another document you would like to upload, you may attempt to upload that document.

Acknowledgement
When you are ready to submit your application finally you must acknowledge the following:

"Under potential penalties of perjury, submission of these electronic applications declares that the information provided is a true representation of the information noted on the IRS form 8850, DOL forms 9061 or 9062, and any other attached supporting documents. This information was obtained on or before the day the job was offered and to the best of your knowledge is true, accurate, and complete.

By accepting these terms you are also agreeing to retain the forms for IRS audit purposes."

Click the check box to certify that you have the original signed forms on file.,
Click Submit button. You will be required to acknowledge each application submitted through the eWOTC system.

Needs/Determinations Warning Icon
Any documents attached to the application by WOTC staff will appear on this tab. You will see a red icon on the Home Page if you have active needs. Click the Search button and sort the certification type to find the Needs requests.

Print Determination(s)

Consultants and employers can view and print determinations as soon as the application status displays as Certified or Denied. To search, from the Dashboard click the Applications Print icon. Search for applications by any of the fields displayed on the screen.

Click the Determination link to print. User can select individual applications by clicking the checkbox or can select all. Printing is limited to 100 notices at a time.

Bulk Upload

eWOTC users can upload 8850 and 9061 applications in bulk. Application data must be formatted according to the provided template, saved in a pipe-delimited text file (.txt) format and then uploaded into the eWOTC system. Template file and complete upload instructions are provided.

From the eWOTC Dashboard click the Applications Upload icon.
Browse for document by clicking the Browse button.
Choose the file you want to upload.
Click Upload button.
EWOTC will validate the file and return a list of Valid and Invalid Applications. You can view specific errors on Invalid Applications by mousing over the help icons on each row at left of the applications. If needed, you can download/print the error report by clicking the Download Errors button.
Click the check box to acknowledge that you have the original signed forms on file, click the Save button.

Under potential penalties of perjury, submission of these electronic applications declares that the information provided is a true representation of the information noted on the IRS form 8850, DOL forms 9061 or 9062, and any other attached supporting documents. This information was obtained on or before the day the job was offered and to the best of your knowledge is true, accurate, and complete.

By accepting these terms you are also agreeing to retain the forms for IRS audit purposes.

Only .txt documents up to 4MB can be uploaded. An error message will be displayed if you attempt to upload a document with a different file extension, or that is larger than 4 MB.
If you see the following message when you attempt to upload a document:
Warning! File NOT uploaded. File name cannot contain special characters (such as @, &, #).
Go to where your document is stored and either rename it without the special characters, or save it as a different document with no special characters in the file name. Return to the Application Upload page and upload the document with the new name.
Your uploaded document will be scanned for viruses during the upload process. If a virus is found, your document will not be uploaded. If you have another document you would like to upload, you may attempt to upload that document.

Bulk Upload Downloadable Files

Bulk Upload Sample File

Bulk Upload Guide/Layout

Upload Sandbox

An upload sandbox has been created for you to test the process.

From the eWOTC Dashboard click the Applications Upload icon.
Browse for document by clicking the Browse button.
Choose the file you want to upload.
Click Upload button. EWOTC will validate the file and return a list of Valid and Invalid Applications. You can view specific errors on Invalid Applications by mousing over the help icons on each row at left of the applications. If needed, you can download/print the error report by clicking the Download Errors button. You cannot submit for processing from this screen.

Appeals

You can appeal determinations by clicking the Appeal button, an appeal reason is required. You will have the opportunity to upload supporting documents.

View/Edit Your Contact Information

Click the Edit Contact Information icon.
Enter needed changes. All fields with * are required fields.
Click the Save button.

View Other Contacts for My Company

Click the View Other Contacts icon.
You will be able to view all the contacts who currently have access to submit/process applications for your company and the date they last accessed the eWOTC system. If you need a contact deleted please contact WOTC staff.

View/Add Power of Attorney (POAs)

This is for Consultant Contacts only. A consultant company must enter required information and upload a signed POA form for every employer it represents.

eWOTC will not accept applications submitted by the consultant for a specific employer without an active POA on file for that employer. The POA must contain the effective dates of representation (beginning and ending dates) for the employer. All contacts for that consultant have the ability to submit and process applications for any employer where a valid POA exists.

View your POAs Search Icon

Click POA Search icon.
A list of all your company's POAs will be displayed, along with begin and expiration dates and current status. To view POA details click on the company name link. To view the POA document click on the file name link.

Expiring POAs Warning Icon
If you have any POAs that are expiring in the next 60 days you will see this red icon on your dashboard.

Upload a new/updated POA Add Icon

Click POA Add icon.
Enter required information.
Click the Upload button. Once WOTC staff have approved the POA, you will have the ability to enter/upload and manage applications for that employer in the eWOTC system.

Only .pdf documents up to 1024 KB can be uploaded. An error message will be displayed if you attempt to upload a document with a different file extension, or that is larger than 1024 KB. If your file size is too large you can decrease it before uploading the file. With the pdf document open click File, then Save As Other and then Reduced Size PDF. Choose the latest version of Acrobat from the dropdown and click OK. File size is reduced.
If you see the following message when you attempt to upload a document: Warning! File NOT uploaded. File name cannot contain special characters (such as @, &, #). Go to where your document is stored and either rename it without the special characters, or save it as a different document with no special characters in the file name. Return to Supporting Documents tab and upload the document with the new name.
Your uploaded document will be scanned for viruses during the upload process. If a virus is found, your document will not be uploaded. If you have another document you would like to upload, you may attempt to upload that document.

Employer FAQ

Can I file appeals to denials on this site?
Yes. You must provide a reason for the appeal and you will have an opportunity to upload supporting documents if applicable.

Can I upload supporting documents to an existing application?
You can upload supporting documents to applications in Incomplete or Not Submitted status. First search for the application, then click the Supporting Documents tab, browse and upload. If you need to upload supporting documents to an application in another you must request to have the record unlocked by WOTC staff.

Can I upload 9062 forms to this website?
You can enter applications containing 9062 forms singly. You cannot bulk upload 9062 forms.

Do I have to print my own certifications or will they be mailed to me?
It is the responsibility of the Employer/Consultant to print certifications for all applications entered or uploaded into the eWOTC system. They will not be mailed to you. If you need a copy of a certification mailed to you, please contact WOTC staff.

Consultant FAQ

How do I submit WOTC applications for my own new hires (employees of the consulting company)?
You would have to create another username and password, and register as an employer contact under your consultant company's FEIN.

How do I submit retroactive applications?
You can submit retroactive applications either singly or in bulk. You will indicate when acknowledging the application that it is contains a retroactive application from 1/1/2014 to 12/31/2015.