How Much Does an LLC Cost in Wisconsin

It costs at least $130 to form an LLC in Wisconsin. But these additional expenses could increase the total to over $3,000.

Craft beer, dairy farms, and over a dozen water parks. Wisconsin's economy is clearly made up of the good things in life.

And if you form a limited liability company, you could contribute even more to the Badger State's diverse thriving industries.

The question is: How much does an LLC cost in Wisconsin? Plan your budget with this in-depth guide.

You can also use the calculator below to get a clear picture of your minimum startup expenses.

Articles of Organization

One-Time Fee: $130 (online) | $170 (paper)^[1]

To form an LLC in Wisconsin, you must file the Articles of Organization with the Department of Financial Institutions. Once the documents are approved, your LLC will be recognized as a separate legal entity.

A Wisconsin LLC's Certificate of Formation contains the following information, among other details:^[2]

• Limited liability company name
  
• Registered agent name and address
  
• Principal office address
  
• Name and address of each organizer

You can file the Articles of Organization by mail, in person, or online. Online filings are typically processed within 1 to 2 business days—longer for in-person and mailed filings. You can pay for expedited services if you need your LLC formed faster.

Foreign Registration Statement

One-Time Fee: $100+^[1]

If you already have an LLC in another state and want to expand your business to Wisconsin, register it as a foreign LLC with the Department of Financial Institutions.

The basic registration fee costs $100, but you could be charged more. Additional charges are based on how long you've been doing business in Wisconsin without having registered with the state.^[4]

Don't forget to attach a Certificate of Status from your domestic state.

Annual Report

Annual Fee: $25 (online) | $40 (paper)^[1]

All LLCs in Wisconsin must file annual reports with the Department of Financial Institutions. These reports let the government, banks, and anyone who can access public records know that your business is still active.

In Wisconsin, annual reports for domestic LLCs are due based on your LLC's formation date:^[5]

Meanwhile, all foreign LLCs in Wisconsin must file annual reports by March 31st yearly.^[5]

Business Permits and Licenses

BTR Fee: $20 (new businesses) | $10 (renewal)^[6]

Wisconsin doesn't have a state-level general business license. Instead, the state prefers to leave business licensing requirements to local jurisdictions and specific industries.

However, most businesses selling goods in the state must pay the business tax registration (BTR) every two years.^[6]

The number of permits and licenses your LLC needs depends on its business purpose. Some businesses may be regulated by various governmental offices simultaneously and could renew yearly.

Business Taxes

State Income Tax: 3.50% to 7.65% of taxable income^[7]

LLCs are generally considered "pass-through" entities for tax purposes. This means the LLC's profits and losses pass through to the owners and are reported on individual tax returns.

Wisconsin's current income tax rate is up to 7.65% of taxable income. However, the state's income tax rates may vary yearly.

On top of that, you must also pay federal income taxes.

2025 Federal Income Tax Rates:^[8]

Don't forget the 15.3% federal self-employment tax.^[9]

Optional Fees

While the fees below are generally optional, some are unavoidable depending on your business needs.

For example, obtaining a Certificate of Status is often necessary when opening an LLC bank account.

Expedited Services

Cost: $25^[1]

If you file online, you can get an LLC in Wisconsin within 1 to 2 business days. Filing in person or by mail typically takes longer.

The Department of Financial Institutions processes documents in the order they are received, so mail filings typically take the longest.

If you want to jump ahead of the line, you can pay for expedited services. You should receive an approval or rejection decision within one business day of submitting your documents.

Registered Agent Services

Annual Cost: $0, or $100-$300/yr

In Wisconsin, you must have a registered agent to receive business and legal documents for your LLC. This includes government notices, tax forms, and annual reporting forms.

You can technically be your LLC's registered agent—as long as you're at least 18 and have a physical street address in Wisconsin. You must also be available to receive documents during business hours.

However, your address will be public record. So many LLCs like to hire a registered agent service to keep their personal details private. These services usually charge $100-$300 per year to be your registered agent.

Statement of Change

Filing Fee: $10 (online) | $25 (paper)^[1]

You can change your registered agent's details by filing the Statement of Change of Registered Agent/Office with the Department of Financial Institutions. Changes include the registered agent's name and address.

Some registered agents will shoulder this bill if you switch to their services.

Operating Agreement

Cost: $0, or up to $500+

LLCs in Wisconsin are not required to have an operating agreement. However, it's recommended because it defines important rules and regulations that all members must follow.

An LLC operating agreement contains the following:

• The roles and responsibilities of each member
  
• How new or departing members will be treated
  
• How business profits and losses will be divided

Ideally, you should already have a signed Operating Agreement before forming an LLC in Wisconsin. But if your LLC is already formed, you can always draft it yourself after.

Alternatively, an LLC attorney might charge you a $500 flat fee for a standard operating agreement. If you have more complex details, the cost could be higher.

Employer Identification Number

Cost: $0, or $50 to $99

Any LLC with more than one member or with employees must have an EIN, regardless of how it's taxed. This is a unique nine-digit number assigned by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to identify a business entity for tax-related purposes.

You can just apply for an EIN for free on the IRS website. But if you'd like an LLC service to process it for you, you can do so for a small fee. Here are some providers that do this and their pricing:

• Northwest Registered Agent: $50
  
• Bizee: $70
  
• ZenBusiness: $99

Single-member LLCs in Wisconsin don't require an EIN, but it's almost essential in practice. For instance, you'll need one if you hire employees or want to open a business bank account.

Beneficial Ownership Information Report

One-Time Cost: $0, or up to $149

The Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) is a one-time report that must be submitted to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) within 30 calendar days of your LLC's formation.^[10]

It includes information about the LLC's beneficial owners, including name, birth date, and address.

FinCEN doesn't charge a fee to submit your BOI report. But you can pay an LLC service to process it for you and save yourself the hassle:

• Northwest Registered Agent: $25
  
• LegalZoom: $149
  
• ZenBusiness: $149

You're considered a beneficial owner if you own 25% or more of the ownership interests in your LLC. Or if you exercise substantial control over the LLC.

Name Reservation

Cost: $15^[11]

If you already have a business name but aren't ready to form an LLC, you can reserve your desired name first. This will prevent others from using that name for up to 120 days.^[11]

Remember to review Wisconsin's naming regulations. For example, an LLC name must include LLC, Ltd., or similar.

Fictitious Name

Cost: $15^[12]

A fictitious name (also known as "Doing Business As" or DBA) allows your LLC to operate under a name different from its legal name registered with the state. Some LLCs use a DBA for branding purposes, like using a name without "LLC" at the end.

In Wisconsin, fictitious names are valid for ten years. You must file a renewal if you want the LLC to keep using the same name.

Statement of Correction

Cost: $40^[1]

After your Wisconsin LLC application is approved, review all the details of the Articles of Organization carefully.

If there are errors, like a misspelled business name or incorrect address, correct them as soon as possible by filing the Statement of Correction.

Articles of Amendment

Cost: $40^[1]

Your Wisconsin LLC's Articles of Organization contains specific details about your business. Should these details change, you must file an amendment to the Department of Financial Institutions.

File an amendment if you:

• Change the LLC name
  
• Move to a new location
  
• Appoint a new registered agent

You must also file a statement of change with the $10 to $25 filing fee if you update your registered agent's details.

Certificate of Status

Cost: $10^[13]

A Certificate of Status is an official document by the Department of Financial Institutions. It verifies that your LLC is updated with all state filings and has paid all its fees and taxes.

You might need a Certificate of Status to:

• Open a bank account
  
• Apply for business loans
  
• Qualify for business insurance
  
• Conduct business as a foreign LLC

Certified Copies

Cost: $10^[13]

Certified copies of documents verify that your LLC is legitimate and that its details are accurate.

You might need these for circumstances like opening a business bank account or expanding your LLC in another state.

Additionally, some LLCs keep certified copies of their initial Articles or Organization and amendments (if any) for recordkeeping purposes.

Business Website Domain

Annual Fee: $10 to $20

A website domain and social media presence provide dedicated online spaces for your business. It's essential for marketing, customer engagement, and brand visibility in today's digital world.

Even if you aren't planning to build a business website now, you could still buy the domain name. This will prevent others from using your LLC's name as a web address.

Business Insurance Premiums

Cost: Varies

Most employers in Wisconsin with 3 or more employees need workers' compensation insurance. Those with fewer than 3 employees must have it if they pay wages of $500 or more in any quarter.^[14]

You can self-insure or shop from a private insurance carrier authorized to do business in the state.

Additionally, consider protecting your LLC's assets with other types of insurance:

• General liability insurance
  
• Commercial property insurance
  
• Professional liability insurance
  
• Cyber liability insurance

The cost depends on factors like the number of employees, the risk level of your industry, and your past insurance claims.

Curious to know how much it costs to maintain an LLC in Wisconsin? Use the calculator below to get a clear picture of your ongoing expenses.

Bottom Line

You need at least $130 to form an LLC in Wisconsin. But you may incur more expenses like:

• Name reservation: $15
  
• Fictitious name registration: $15
  
• Business tax registration: $20

That said, the total cost of forming an LLC in Wisconsin will increase depending on the additional services, documents, and licenses you need. Ultimately, it's never a bad idea to set aside an extra budget for unexpected fees.

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