Wisconsin LLC Filing Fees and Requirements
Forming an LLC in Wisconsin costs $130 online or $170 by mail. Learn the filing fees, registered agent rules, annual report deadline, and other requirements from the Wisconsin DFI.
Bizee Editorial Staff
Editorial Team
Wisconsin LLC filing fees at a glance
Filing fee: $130 online / $170 by mail
Processing time: Accepted upon receipt for online filings
State agency: Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (DFI), Division of Corporate and Consumer Services
Annual report due: Last day of the calendar quarter in which the LLC's original Articles of Organization were filed
State tax rate: No state-level LLC franchise tax; LLCs are taxed as pass-through entities for Wisconsin income tax purposes
Wisconsin LLC filing fees and requirements
Forming an LLC in Wisconsin requires filing Articles of Organization with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (DFI). The state filing fee is $130 online or $170 by mail. You'll also need a registered agent with a Wisconsin street address and must file an annual report each year to stay in good standing.
How much does it cost to form an LLC in Wisconsin?
The Wisconsin DFI charges $130 to file Articles of Organization online and $170 to file by mail. Online is the faster and cheaper option — filings submitted through the DFI's online system are accepted upon receipt, and you get immediate confirmation.
Wisconsin LLC filing fees are nonrefundable regardless of the filing method you choose. Budget for this before you submit.
- Online filing fee: $130 (plus a $1 portal fee through the One Stop Business Portal)
- Mail or paper filing fee: $170
- All fees are nonrefundable
Articles of Organization requirements
To form a Wisconsin LLC, you file Articles of Organization (Form CORP502) with the DFI under Chapter 183 of the Wisconsin Statutes. The form asks for your LLC's name, a statement that it's organized under Chapter 183, and the name and street address of your registered agent.
Online filings require a contact email address. The DFI confirms acceptance immediately through the online system, which makes the online route worth the $40 savings over mail.
Registered agent requirement
Every Wisconsin LLC must appoint and continuously maintain a registered agent in the state. The registered agent receives service of process, legal notices, and official communications on behalf of your LLC. Wisconsin requires the agent's address to be a physical street address — P.O. boxes aren't acceptable.
Your registered agent can be an individual Wisconsin resident or a business entity authorized to operate in Wisconsin. You must list the agent's name and street address on your Articles of Organization when you file.
Annual report fee and deadline
Wisconsin requires every domestic and foreign LLC to file an annual report with the DFI to stay in good standing. The online filing fee is $25. Filing by paper costs more because the state adds a paper surcharge on top of the base fee.
The due date is the last day of the calendar quarter in which your LLC's original Articles of Organization were filed. That means your deadline depends on when you formed — not a fixed date like December 31. Missing it can put your LLC out of good standing with the state.
Employer Identification Number
Every LLC should get an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS. You'll use it to file federal taxes, open a business bank account, and pay employees. The IRS issues EINs at no cost — you can apply at irs.gov/ein.
Getting your EIN right after formation is one of those steps that's easy to put off but pays off fast. You can't open most business bank accounts without one, and having it ready keeps your momentum going.
Wisconsin business licenses and permits
Wisconsin doesn't issue a single general business license, but your LLC may need federal, state, or local licenses depending on what you do and where you operate. Some licenses are one-time; others require annual renewal.
The Wisconsin One Stop Business Portal is a good starting point — it walks you through the licenses and permits that apply to your specific business type and location. Requirements vary by industry, so a restaurant, a contractor, and an online retailer will each face a different set of rules. A tax professional or legal professional can help you figure out what applies to your situation.
FAQ
It costs $130 to file online or $170 to file by mail with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions. Online filings also carry a $1 portal fee. These fees are nonrefundable. Beyond the state filing fee, budget for a registered agent and the $25 annual report fee due each year.
The Wisconsin LLC annual report fee is $25 when filed online with the DFI. Paper filings cost more due to a state surcharge. The due date is the last day of the calendar quarter in which your LLC's original Articles of Organization were filed — so the deadline varies by LLC, not by a fixed calendar date.
You can file your Articles of Organization through the DFI's Business Entity File Online system or the Wisconsin One Stop Business Portal. Online filings are accepted upon receipt, and the DFI confirms acceptance immediately. You'll need a contact email address to complete the online filing.
The state filing fee goes directly to the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions. When you form your LLC through Bizee, we collect the state fee at cost and pay it to the DFI on your behalf when we file your Articles of Organization. We don't mark up the state fee.
It depends on your business type, location, and industry. Wisconsin doesn't have a single general business license. The Wisconsin One Stop Business Portal is the best starting point — it identifies the state and local licenses that apply to your specific situation. Federal licenses may also apply depending on what your business does.
In Wisconsin, a DBA (doing business as) is called a trade name or assumed name. LLCs that want to operate under a name different from their registered LLC name need to register that trade name with the Wisconsin DFI. The registration fee and process are separate from your LLC formation filing.
Foreign LLCs — those formed in another state but doing business in Wisconsin — must register with the Wisconsin DFI. The registration fee differs from the domestic LLC formation fee. Foreign LLCs also need a Wisconsin registered agent and must file an annual report each year, with a higher annual report fee than domestic LLCs.
