- Filing fee
- $130
- Annual Report (Form 5)
- $25
- First-year gov. cost
- $130
- Publication
- Not required
The steps, in order
Pick a name Wisconsin will accept
Must include Limited Liability Company or an abbreviation like LLC. Restricted words like Bank generally require special agency approval.
Search existing Wisconsin business names before you commit. Wisconsin naming rules in detail.
Appoint a registered agent
Physical street address in Wisconsin required, no PO Box alone, registered office must be identical to business office.
You can serve as your own agent, but your address will be public. Compare Wisconsin registered agent options.
File the Articles of Organization (Form 502)
Submit it to the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) through the official filing portal and pay $130. $130 online, $170 paper due to paper filing surcharge
Processing: online Same business day; by mail Approximately five business days. Expedite: $100 for next-business-day, $250 for in-person four-hour priority, $500 for one-hour counter service.
Write an operating agreement
Not statutorily required and not filed, but strongly recommended. Can be written, oral, or implied.
Get an EIN from the IRS
An Employer Identification Number is free from IRS.gov. You'll need it for a business bank account and, if you hire, for payroll.
Stay in good standing
File the Annual Report (Form 5) ($25), due End of the calendar quarter in which the LLC was originally organized, beginning the year following formation. No separate late fee listed. Wisconsin report deadlines.
Every Wisconsin LLC fee
| Filing | State fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Articles of Organization (Form 502) | $130 | $130 online, $170 paper due to paper filing surcharge |
| Annual Report (Form 5) | $25 | annual, End of the calendar quarter in which the LLC was originally organized, beginning the year following formation |
| Name reservation (optional) | $15 | 120 days |
| Change of registered agent | $10 | $10 online or $25 by paper |
| Amendment | $40 | |
| Certificate of good standing | $10 | |
| Foreign Limited Liability Company-Certificate of Registration Application (Form 521) | $100 | For LLCs formed in another state |
| Articles of Dissolution (Form 510) | $20 | |
| DBA / assumed name | $15 | state |
How Wisconsin compares nationally
- Wisconsin's filing fee of $130 is the 17th highest of 51 jurisdictions (median $104).
- Wisconsin's first-year government cost of $130 is the 21st highest of 51 jurisdictions (median $125).
- Wisconsin's yearly cost after that of $25 is the 18th lowest of 51 jurisdictions (median $45).
See every state side by side in our LLC cost by state table.
File it yourself or use a service?
Filing directly with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) costs $130 and nothing else, but you'll need a registered agent with a Wisconsin street address, and that address goes on the public record. A formation service files for you and acts as your agent. Here's what that adds over three years, before Wisconsin's own fees:
| Route | Year one with Wisconsin fee | 3-year service fees |
|---|---|---|
| File yourself, be your own agent | $130 | $0 |
| Northwest | $169 | $289 |
| Bizee Basic | $130 | $298 |
Bizee vs Northwest, compared · All LLC services ranked
State taxes to plan for
No franchise or minimum privilege tax. Pass-through profits subject to graduated individual income tax (3.50% to 7.65%). Corporate election faces flat 7.90% corporate franchise tax.
What's different about Wisconsin
- Entity administration handled by DFI rather than Secretary of State.
- Operating agreements can exist entirely through emails or text messages.
- Paper filings incur a $40 surcharge.
More Wisconsin LLC guides
Wisconsin LLC questions
How much does it cost to form an LLC in Wisconsin?
The Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) charges $130 to file the Articles of Organization (Form 502). Counting mandatory first-year items, expect about $130 in government fees (Online formation).
How long does it take to form an LLC in Wisconsin?
Online: Same business day. By mail: Approximately five business days. Expedited: $100 for next-business-day, $250 for in-person four-hour priority, $500 for one-hour counter service.
Does a Wisconsin LLC have to file an annual report?
Yes. Wisconsin requires the Annual Report (Form 5), which costs $25, filed annual. Due: End of the calendar quarter in which the LLC was originally organized, beginning the year following formation. No separate late fee listed.
Can I be my own registered agent in Wisconsin?
Yes. Physical street address in Wisconsin required, no PO Box alone, registered office must be identical to business office. Your agent's address becomes public record.
Does Wisconsin require publishing a notice for a new LLC?
No. Wisconsin has no newspaper publication requirement for LLCs, based on our latest check.
Is an operating agreement required in Wisconsin?
Not statutorily required and not filed, but strongly recommended. Can be written, oral, or implied.
What taxes does a Wisconsin LLC pay to the state?
No franchise or minimum privilege tax. Pass-through profits subject to graduated individual income tax (3.50% to 7.65%). Corporate election faces flat 7.90% corporate franchise tax.
Sources and verification
Last checked against official state sources on . States change fees with little notice, so confirm on the filing portal before you pay. How we verify.
Still being confirmed with the state: name rules restricted words exact restrictions.