1. Wisconsin LLC Overview

If you operate a business in Wisconsin, forming a local LLC is required. The state incentivizes online filing with lower fees, making it cheap and easy to set up your business.

  • Affordable formation fee — $130 online
  • Low annual fee — Just $25 per year
  • No franchise tax — Standard LLCs don't pay a corporate franchise tax

2. Wisconsin LLC Requirements

  • Name must contain "Limited Liability Company," "LLC," or "L.L.C."
  • Appoint a registered agent with a Wisconsin physical address
  • File Articles of Organization with the Dept of Financial Institutions
  • File an Annual Report by March 31 each year ($25)

3. Wisconsin LLC Costs and Fees (2026)

Cost Item Amount Notes
Articles of Organization$130Online fee ($170 by mail)
Annual Report$25/yearDue March 31
Registered Agent$50–$150/yearRequired WI physical address
EINFreeApply at IRS.gov
Operating Agreement$0–$1,000Recommended, not legally required

4. How to Start a Wisconsin LLC (Step by Step)

  1. 1 Choose your LLC name (must include "Limited Liability Company," "LLC," or "L.L.C.")
  2. 2 Appoint a registered agent with a Wisconsin physical address
  3. 3 File Articles of Organization (Form 502) with the WI DFI ($130 online)
  4. 4 Obtain an EIN from the IRS (free at IRS.gov)
  5. 5 Draft an Operating Agreement (not filed, but legally binding)
  6. 6 File the Annual Report by March 31 each year ($25)
  7. 7 Open a business bank account
File Online to Save Money

Wisconsin charges $170 if you file paper Articles of Organization by mail. Save $40 by using the state's online QuickStart portal, which reduces the fee to $130 and processes much faster.

5. Wisconsin Annual Report

All Wisconsin LLCs must file an Annual Report.

  • Due Date: March 31 of each year, starting the year following formation.
  • Fee: $25.
  • Filing: Filed online via the DFI portal.

6. Wisconsin LLC Taxes (2026)

  • State income tax — 3.5% to 7.65% graduated rate on pass-through profits
  • Federal income tax — Pass-through to personal return
  • Self-employment tax — 15.3% on net earnings
  • Sales tax — 5% state rate + local county additions (typically 0.5%)

7. Best For / Not Best For

Best For

  • Entrepreneurs living and operating in Wisconsin
  • Founders wanting low ongoing compliance fees ($25/year)

Not Best For

  • Out-of-state owners without Wisconsin nexus