Wisconsin LLC cost at a glance
| Cost | Wisconsin amount |
|---|---|
| Cost to form | $130 online, $170 on paper |
| Annual report | $25 online, $40 on paper |
| When it is due | End of the calendar quarter in which the LLC was formed |
| State tax on the LLC | No franchise or minimum tax on LLCs |
| First-year state fees (minimum) | $130 |
| Yearly state fees after that (minimum) | $25 |
| Registered agent | Required. Free if you act as your own; commercial services charge a yearly fee |
| EIN from the IRS | $0 |
Fees verified October 2026 against the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions and other official Wisconsin sources listed at the end of this page.
How much does it cost to form an LLC in Wisconsin?
The Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) charges $130 to file Articles of Organization online and $170 on paper. Wisconsin is one of the few states where LLCs register with a financial regulator rather than a Secretary of State.
Filing online saves $40. DFI also sells next-day processing for $100, and in-person service within four hours for $250 or within one hour for $500.
Our walkthrough on how to file articles of organization in Wisconsin covers the form field by field.
How much does a Wisconsin LLC cost every year?
Every Wisconsin LLC files an annual report with DFI for $25 online or $40 on paper. The first report is due in the year after formation.
The deadline is the last day of the calendar quarter that contains the LLC’s formation anniversary: 31 March, 30 June, 30 September or 31 December. An LLC formed in May files by 30 June each year.
What does a Wisconsin LLC cost over the first three years?
The table below adds up the state fees a Wisconsin LLC pays in its first three years, using the minimum amounts Wisconsin charges. The second column adds the BusinessAnywhere registered agent service, which is free for the first year and $147 a year after that.
| Year | State fees only | With a registered agent service |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $130 | $130 |
| Year 2 | $25 | $172 |
| Year 3 | $25 | $172 |
| Three-year total | $180 | $474 |
Does Wisconsin charge a franchise tax or income tax on LLCs?
Wisconsin charges no franchise tax or minimum tax on LLCs. An LLC taxed as a partnership files a Wisconsin partnership return and the profit passes through to the members.
Members pay Wisconsin individual income tax on their share of Wisconsin profit. An LLC that elects corporate tax treatment pays Wisconsin corporate franchise or income tax instead, the same as any corporation.
How much does a registered agent cost in Wisconsin?
Every Wisconsin LLC must name a registered agent with a physical street address in Wisconsin. Acting as your own agent costs nothing, but your address goes on the public record and you must be available at that address during business hours. Commercial registered agent services charge a yearly fee for the same role.
The BusinessAnywhere registered agent service is free for the first year and $147 a year after that, with every document scanned to your online dashboard the day it arrives.
Our Wisconsin registered agent guide explains the state rules in full.
If you are weighing the free option, read can I be my own registered agent first.
Does a Wisconsin LLC need an EIN, and what does it cost?
An EIN costs nothing when you apply directly with the IRS. A Wisconsin LLC needs one to hire employees, to open a business bank account and whenever it has more than one member. US residents with an SSN or ITIN apply through the IRS online EIN application and receive the number at the end of the session.
Founders outside the United States cannot use the online tool. They apply by phone, fax or post with IRS Form SS-4, and do not need an SSN to do it. The BusinessAnywhere EIN application service handles that process for $97. Our guide on how to obtain an EIN for your LLC covers both routes.
What other Wisconsin LLC fees should you budget for?
These fees apply only when you need the service. They are the Wisconsin state charges as of October 2026.
| Item | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Name reservation | $15 | Holds the name for 120 days |
| Expedited filing | $100 next day | $250 within 4 hours and $500 within 1 hour, in person |
| Certificate of good standing | $10 | Certificate of Status, ordered online |
| Certified copy | $10 | Uncertified copy $5 |
| Amending the articles | $40 | Amendment or Restatement |
| Changing registered agent | $10 online, $25 paper | Registered agent/office change |
| Foreign LLC registration | From $100 | Certificate of Registration (Form 521) |
An operating agreement carries no state fee in Wisconsin, and Wisconsin does not collect it, but every LLC should have one to set out ownership and decision rights. BusinessAnywhere sells an operating agreement template for $97.
What happens if you miss a Wisconsin LLC deadline?
DFI lists no separate late fee for an annual report. A delinquent LLC catches up by filing the current report and paying every annual report fee it missed.
An LLC that stays delinquent loses its good standing, and after several years of missed reports DFI mails notices and then dissolves it administratively, 60 days after publishing a notice. Reinstatement requires a request to DFI and payment of the reports owed.
If you intend to close the business, file formally instead of letting it lapse. Our guide on how to dissolve an LLC in Wisconsin sets out the steps.
How does Wisconsin compare with other states?
Wisconsin sits in the middle of the range. Its $130 online formation fee is above the $100 national median, but $25 a year is among the lower annual report fees, and there is no entity tax on top.
| State | Formation fee | Yearly state fees (minimum) | What drives the cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin | $130 | $25 | $130 online to form, $25 annual report |
| Minnesota LLC cost | $155 | $0 | $155 online to form, free annual renewal |
| Illinois LLC cost | $150 | $75 | $150 to form, $75 annual report |
| Michigan LLC cost | $50 | $25 | $50 to form, $25 annual statement |
| Iowa LLC cost | $50 | $15 | $50 to form, $30 report every two years |
| Wyoming LLC cost | $100 | $60 | $60 minimum license tax, no income tax |
For all 51 jurisdictions side by side, see our full table of LLC cost by state.
How to form a Wisconsin LLC for $0 plus state fees
BusinessAnywhere files your Wisconsin LLC for $0 plus the $130 state fee. The filing comes with a free first year of registered agent service, so your first-year cost is the state fee and nothing else.
- Formation: $0 service fee plus the Wisconsin filing fee.
- Registered agent: free for the first year, then $147 a year.
- EIN application: $97, with no SSN required for non-US founders.
- Compliance reminders: every Wisconsin deadline on this page tracked in your dashboard.
- Virtual mailbox: a US street address with mail scanning, from $20 a month.
Start with our LLC formation service, or read the full guide on how to start an LLC in Wisconsin first.
Wisconsin LLC cost FAQs
How much does an LLC cost in Wisconsin?
A Wisconsin LLC costs $130 to form online or $170 on paper. The annual report costs $25 online or $40 on paper. Wisconsin has no franchise tax on LLCs.
When is the Wisconsin LLC annual report due?
By the end of the calendar quarter that contains the LLC’s formation anniversary: 31 March, 30 June, 30 September or 31 December. The first report is due in the year after formation.
Who handles LLC filings in Wisconsin?
The Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions, not a Secretary of State. Formation, annual reports and certificates all go through DFI.
Can I expedite a Wisconsin LLC filing?
Yes. DFI charges $100 for next-day processing. In-person service costs $250 within four hours or $500 within one hour.
Does Wisconsin charge a franchise tax on LLCs?
No, not on an LLC taxed as a partnership or disregarded entity. An LLC that elects to be taxed as a corporation pays Wisconsin corporate tax.
How much does a Wisconsin LLC cost over three years?
At the minimum, $180 in state fees: $130 to form online plus two $25 annual reports. With a commercial registered agent from year two at $147 a year, the total is $474.
Sources
- Wisconsin DFI, business entity fees
- Wisconsin DFI, certificates and certified copy fees
- Wisconsin DFI, annual report instructions
- Official Wisconsin source: Name reservation fee
Fees change. Every figure on this page was checked against the official source in October 2026. Confirm the current amount with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions before you file.
