How to Start a Business in Wisconsin
Everything you need to form your Wisconsin LLC, corporation, or sole proprietorship, with exact fees, timelines, and step-by-step instructions.
Wisconsin's LLC formation costs $130 when filed online, with no LLC franchise or privilege tax. The only recurring state entity charge is a $25 annual report. LLC profits pass through to owners' individual income tax at graduated rates of 3.50% to 7.65%, while corporations pay a flat 7.9% rate.
This guide covers every step from choosing the right business structure to securing any required licenses and permits.
Choosing Your Wisconsin Business Structure
This is the first decision and it affects everything: taxes, liability, paperwork. If you are unsure, an LLC is the right default for most Wisconsin small businesses.
| Entity Type | Liability Protection | Taxation | Wisconsin Filing Fee | Annual Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LLC | Yes | Pass-through | $130 | $25 Limited Liability Company Annual Report... | Most small businesses |
| Corporation | Yes | Double (C-Corp) or pass-through (S-Corp) | $100 | $25 Business Corporation Annual Report... | Raising investment, stock options |
| Sole Proprietorship | No | Pass-through | $0 | $0 | Freelancers, side hustles |
| Partnership | No | Pass-through | $0 | $0 | 2+ owners (consider an LLC instead) |
8 Steps to Start Your Wisconsin Business
- 1
Choose your business structure
LLC, corporation, or sole proprietorship. Each has different costs, tax treatment, and liability protection.
- 2
Pick and reserve your business name
Search the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions, Division of Corporate and Consumer Services (business entities are filed with DFI, not the Wisconsin Secretary of State) database. Reserve for $15 (120 days).
- 3
Appoint a registered agent
Must have a physical Wisconsin street address. Can be yourself (free) or a service ($100 to $300 per year).
- 4
File your formation documents
Articles of Organization, Limited Liability Company (Form 502), sec. 183.0201 Wis. Stats. ($130) or Articles of Incorporation, Stock, For-Profit Corporation (Form 2), ch. 180 Wis. Stats. ($100) with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions, Division of Corporate and Consumer Services (business entities are filed with DFI, not the Wisconsin Secretary of State).
- 5
Get your EIN from the IRS
Free, online, takes about 5 minutes. Do not pay anyone for this.
- 6
Register for a sales tax permit if you sell goods
Through the Wisconsin Department of Revenue. State sales tax rate: 5%.
- 7
Get required licenses and permits
Wisconsin issues no single general statewide business license.
- 8
Register for Wisconsin taxes
Personal income tax: graduated, 3.50% to 7.65% (single filers: 3.50% up to $14,680, 4.4% to $50,480, 5.3% to $323,290, 7.65% above that).
How Much Does It Cost to Start a Business in Wisconsin?
| Item | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| LLC filing fee (Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions, Division of Corporate and Consumer Services (business entities are filed with DFI, not the Wisconsin Secretary of State)) Required | $130 | Online filings are in most cases accepted upon receipt with immediate notice; |
| Corporation filing fee Required | $100 | If forming a corporation instead |
| Limited Liability Company Annual Report... Required | $25 | Each year after the year of organization, during the calendar quarter containing the anniversary of organization:... |
| Name reservation | $15 | 120 days |
| Registered agent service | $0 to $300/yr | Free if you serve as your own |
| EIN (IRS) Required | $0 | Always free |
| Business license | Varies | Wisconsin issues no single general statewide business license. |
| Operating agreement | $0 to $500+ | Free template or attorney-drafted |
| Realistic LLC total (year 1) | $130 to $455 |
Start a Specific Business in Wisconsin
Wisconsin Business Guides
- How to Start an LLC in Wisconsin
- How to Start a Corporation in Wisconsin
- Sole Proprietorship in Wisconsin: How to Start One
- Wisconsin Business License: What You Need and How to Get It
- Wisconsin Home-Based Business Laws: Zoning, Permits and Rules
- How to Get an EIN in Wisconsin
- Wisconsin Business Name Search: How to Check and Reserve a Name
- How to Get a Resale Certificate in Wisconsin
- Wisconsin Registered Agent: Requirements and How to Choose One
- Best LLC Services in Wisconsin
- Wisconsin Business Taxes Explained for New Owners
- How Much Does It Cost to Start a Business in Wisconsin
Why Start a Business in Wisconsin?
- Forming an LLC costs $130 filed online with the Department of Financial Institutions, or $170 on paper, and there is no publication requirement.
- The only recurring state entity charge is a $25 annual report ($40 if filed on paper), and Wisconsin charges no LLC franchise or privilege tax.
- State sales tax is 5%, among the lowest state rates in the country, though 70 of the 72 counties add 0.5% and Milwaukee County adds 0.9%.
- Corporations pay a flat 7.9% franchise or income tax; pass-through owners pay graduated individual rates of 3.50% to 7.65%.
- Wisconsin's economy is about $473 billion, roughly 21st among the states, serving a population of 5,960,975 as of the July 2024 Census estimate.
- DFI is required to process new business filings within 5 business days, online filings are usually accepted on receipt, and next business day expedited service costs $100.
Wisconsin Business Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
- How long does it take to form an LLC in Wisconsin?
- Online filings through Wisconsin's DFI are typically accepted upon receipt with immediate notice. The department has a statutory limit of 5 business days for processing new business filings, though most online submissions are approved immediately.
- What does it cost to form an LLC in Wisconsin?
- The online filing fee is $130. Starting the year after you form, you'll owe $25 annually for your required annual report.
- Can a non-resident form a Wisconsin LLC?
- Wisconsin does not specify residency requirements in its LLC formation rules. You can file your Articles of Organization online through the Department of Financial Institutions.
- What's the cheapest way to start a business in Wisconsin?
- A corporation costs $100 to file online, compared to an LLC's $130. However, LLC owners typically benefit from lower individual income tax rates of 3.50% to 7.65%, compared to corporations' flat 7.9% rate.
- Is an operating agreement required for an LLC in Wisconsin?
- Wisconsin requires only Articles of Organization for LLC formation. No other documents are specified as statutory requirements for starting an LLC.