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  • InsideTrack
  • May 03, 2017

    Pay Annual Court Assessments and Dues By July 1: Members Can Now Pay Online

    Statements on State Bar of Wisconsin membership dues and Wisconsin Supreme Court assessments will be mailed in May. New this year: online payment option.

    May 3, 2017 – State Bar of Wisconsin membership dues and Wisconsin Supreme Court assessments for fiscal year 2018 (July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2018) are due July 1, 2017. Statements will be mailed in early May. Pay your dues and assessments by July 1 to avoid late fees.

    To assist the Wisconsin Supreme Court and avoid duplication of effort, the State Bar collects the court assessments in addition to your annual dues. State Bar dues and court assessments vary based on membership classification.

    Membership dues are $258 for full dues-paying active members. The State Bar’s Board of Governors approved a $4 dues increase for FY 2018. The last dues increase was three years ago, after 10 years without a change in dues levels.

    Active new members (lawyers admitted to their first bar after April 30, 2015), as well as inactive members, will pay half dues of $129. Nonvoting judicial members will pay $173. Emeritus members will continue to pay no State Bar dues.

    Each member has the option to deduct the portion of their dues that pays for the State Bar’s legislative activities. That amount totals $7.75 for FY 2018.

    Supreme Court Assessments

    2017 dues chartThe four court-imposed assessments, totaling $236, remain the same for the fifth year. These assessments support:

    *The court assesses active-licensed attorneys and judicial members $50, paid to the Wisconsin Trust Account Foundation, to fund civil legal services for people who cannot afford an attorney.

    Ways to Pay: Online (New!), Via USPS, or by Phone

    This year for the first time, fully enrolled State Bar members in good standing have the option to pay their court assessments and dues online, from a computer or mobile device with a credit card.

    All members will receive their statements via the USPS. Members may pay:

    • Via a print statement received in the mail, download at wisbar.org/mydues.
    • Online with a credit card by visiting wisbar.org/mydues.
    • By phone during May, June, and July by calling Customer Service at (800) 728-7788.

    Who Can Pay Court Assessments and Dues Online?

    Fully enrolled attorneys in good standing – those who have a Bar card – may pay online.

    You cannot pay your dues online if:

    • You are a new member who will join on or before July 1, 2017;
    • You want to change your name or membership status;
    • Your membership is suspended; or
    • Your office would like to pay for firm members in bulk.

    After remitting payment, you can visit myStateBar to verify that the State Bar has processed your payment. Your receipt and membership card should arrive within two weeks from the date the State Bar receives payment. Payment must be received by July 1 to avoid late fees.

    Questions? See Membership FAQs and Paying Your Assessments and Dues FAQs on WisBar.org or call contact Customer Service at (800) 728-7788 or service@wisbar.org.

    Are My Dues Tax Deductible?

    Supreme Court assessments and State Bar dues are not deductible as charitable contributions but may be deductible as business expenses. Internal Revenue Code section 6033(e)(1) requires certain organizations to notify members that a portion of dues is allocable to lobbing activities. We are uncertain whether the requirement applies to the State Bar of Wisconsin. If it does, your bar card mailing will outline this percentage.

    If you made a donation to the Wisconsin Law Foundation or paid your Fellows pledge, these payments are 501(c)3 charitable contributions.

    A Couple Reminders

    Here are a couple of things to keep in mind when completing the dues and assessments statement:

    • Please self-identify on the dues and assessment statement. The Diversity Inclusion and Oversight Committee is looking to better understand and serve an increasingly diverse membership. Please take the time to read the neon yellow slip of paper accompanying the statement, and provide or verify demographic data collected in support of the State Bar’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.

    • Be sure to sign the trust account statement to retain your license – and your permanent notary commission. Some lawyers do not sign this statement because they don’t have a trust account. However, Supreme Court rules require that every lawyer and judge sign this statement.

      If you don’t complete this form, you risk losing your permanent notary public commission, if you have one. A few years ago, the state legislature moved the responsibility of notary commissions to the Department of Financial Institutions, and it is now enforcing the suspension of permanent notary commissions of suspended attorneys. This means when you are reinstated, you must reapply for a four-year notary public commission and will continue to be reappointed in four-year increments. This matter is solely within DFI’s discretion.

    Learn More about Your Member Benefits

    Visit WisBar.org to access your guide to these exclusive programs and services, representing hundreds of tools and resources designed to help you succeed in your practice. New benefits include:

    • OfficeMax Partner Advantage Program. Enjoy a significant cost savings on more than 25,000 products, including furniture, technology, paper, and services online or in person at OfficeMax. For more information, go to WisBar.org.

    • Dental Insurance. For information on group dental insurance now available, see the Membership & Benefits area on WisBar.org or this story in InsideTrack.

    • MyCase Case Management Software Discount. This new State Bar member benefit gives you a discount on MyCase, an all-in-one, intuitive legal practice management software. Learn the details in this article in the April 20, 2016 issue of InsideTrack.

     

    Member Programs Help You with Your Practice

    Take advantage of all the programs and services the State Bar offers, including:

    • Ethics Hotline – You have access to guidance and help in resolving questions regarding Wisconsin’s Rules of Professional Conduct for Attorneys. Call the Ethics Hotline at (608) 229-2017 or (800) 254-5154.

    • Practice411 – Does a concern about managing the business side of your office or firm keep you up at night? Help is as close as your computer or phone, thanks to the State Bar Law Office Management Assistance Program.

    • Wisconsin Lawyers Assistance Program (WisLAP) – Legal professionals are human and deal with human issues ranging from stress and anxiety to depression and addictions. WisLAP can help provide assistance and a listening ear at those times when you need someone to turn to. Call the 24-hour helpline at (800) 543-2625 or visit the WisLAP webpage on WisBar.org.


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