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How to Start an LLC in Wisconsin: Fees, Filings and Annual Requirements

Forming an LLC in Wisconsin: the state filing fee, how to file, name rules, registered agent, annual report, state taxes, DBA and sales tax permit — from the official state sources.

Quick answers for Wisconsin

LLC filing fee
The Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) lists LLC organization at $130.00 via online filing and $170.00 otherwise (paper). Expedited processing (next business day) is an additional $100.00; Wisconsin DFI, Business Entity Fees; Wis. Stat. § 183.0122(2)(a)1.
Annual report
A Wisconsin LLC files an annual report with DFI each year after the year it registered, during the calendar quarter in which its registration anniversary falls (due March 31, June 30, September 30 or December 31). Wisconsin DFI, Business Entity FAQs (Annual Report); Business Entity Fees; Wis. Stat. § 183.0122(2)(a)17.-18.
How to file
File Articles of Organization with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions, online (Business Entity File Online / One Stop Business Portal) or on paper using DFI forms. Wisconsin DFI, Business Entity FAQs; Business Entity Fees

Last verified: 2026-10-27

Forming the LLC

LLC filing feeThe Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) lists LLC organization at $130.00 via online filing and $170.00 otherwise (paper). Expedited processing (next business day) is an additional $100.00; in-person counter service within four hours is $250.00 and within one hour is $500.00.
Source: Wisconsin DFI, Business Entity Fees; Wis. Stat. § 183.0122(2)(a)1.
How to fileFile Articles of Organization with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions, online (Business Entity File Online / One Stop Business Portal) or on paper using DFI forms. For expedited service on paper, mark the request "FOR EXPEDITED SERVICE" and include the $100.00 fee; expedited requests are acted on by the close of business the following business day.
Standard processing times were not stated on the pages reviewed.
Source: Wisconsin DFI, Business Entity FAQs; Business Entity Fees
Name rules and reservationThe name must contain "limited liability company" or "limited company" or the abbreviation "LLC" or "LC" (or a variation differing only in capitalization or punctuation); "Limited" may be abbreviated "Ltd." and "company" "Co." A name may be reserved for a 120-day period, which can be renewed. The fee for an application for reserved name is $15 (renewal $15).
Source: Wis. Stat. §§ 183.0112(1), 183.0113(1), 183.0122(2)(a)3.-4.
Registered agentThe registered agent is a person (individual or existing entity) resident in Wisconsin, designated to receive official communications such as service of process, annual report forms and tax forms. It may be an officer or employee of the LLC or someone else, such as an attorney. The physical address of the agent's business office is the registered office. A statement of change of registered agent or office costs $10 by statute (DFI lists $10.00 online and $25.00 on paper); the agent can also be changed on the annual report.
Source: Wisconsin DFI, Business Entity FAQs; Business Entity Fees; Wis. Stat. § 183.0122(2)(a)8.
Operating agreementWisconsin law defines an operating agreement as the agreement of all the members, including a sole member, whether oral, implied, in a record, or any combination. No requirement to file it with DFI was found.
Source: Wis. Stat. § 183.0102(13)

Keeping the LLC in good standing

Annual reportA Wisconsin LLC files an annual report with DFI each year after the year it registered, during the calendar quarter in which its registration anniversary falls (due March 31, June 30, September 30 or December 31). The fee is $25.00 online or $40.00 on paper. Foreign LLCs file during the first calendar quarter (due March 31); fee $65.00 online or $80.00 on paper. An LLC that does not file becomes delinquent and, if not cured for an extended period, risks administrative dissolution.
Source: Wisconsin DFI, Business Entity FAQs (Annual Report); Business Entity Fees; Wis. Stat. § 183.0122(2)(a)17.-18.
Sales tax permitBusinesses making taxable sales register with the Wisconsin Department of Revenue for a seller's permit. The initial Business Tax Registration (BTR) fee is $20 for new businesses and covers two years; after that, a $10 BTR renewal fee applies for each two-year period. The seller's permit must be posted.
Source: Wisconsin Department of Revenue, Business Tax Registration FAQs

Out-of-state LLCs and closing

Registering an out-of-state LLCAn out-of-state LLC files a foreign registration statement with DFI. By statute, the fee is $100; DFI's fee page lists foreign registration as "$100.00+".
Source: Wis. Stat. § 183.0122(2)(a)13.; Wisconsin DFI, Business Entity Fees
Closing an LLCA Wisconsin LLC files a statement of dissolution or statement of termination with DFI; the statutory fee is $20. DFI lists dissolution/termination at $20.00 online and $35.00 on paper. A foreign LLC's statement of withdrawal or cancellation costs $40.
Source: Wis. Stat. § 183.0122(2)(a)12., 15.; Wisconsin DFI, Business Entity Fees

Where to get help in Wisconsin

Starting an LLC & Small Business FAQ

How much does it cost to form an LLC in Wisconsin?
The Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) lists LLC organization at $130.00 via online filing and $170.00 otherwise (paper). Expedited processing (next business day) is an additional $100.00; in-person counter service within four hours is $250.00 and within one hour is $500.00.
How do you form an LLC in Wisconsin?
File Articles of Organization with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions, online (Business Entity File Online / One Stop Business Portal) or on paper using DFI forms. For expedited service on paper, mark the request "FOR EXPEDITED SERVICE" and include the $100.00 fee; expedited requests are acted on by the close of business the following business day.
What are the LLC name requirements in Wisconsin?
The name must contain "limited liability company" or "limited company" or the abbreviation "LLC" or "LC" (or a variation differing only in capitalization or punctuation); "Limited" may be abbreviated "Ltd." and "company" "Co." A name may be reserved for a 120-day period, which can be renewed. The fee for an application for reserved name is $15 (renewal $15).
Do you need a registered agent for an LLC in Wisconsin?
The registered agent is a person (individual or existing entity) resident in Wisconsin, designated to receive official communications such as service of process, annual report forms and tax forms. It may be an officer or employee of the LLC or someone else, such as an attorney. The physical address of the agent's business office is the registered office. A statement of change of registered agent or office costs $10 by statute (DFI lists $10.00 online and $25.00 on paper); the agent can also be changed on the annual report.
Does an LLC have to file an annual report in Wisconsin?
A Wisconsin LLC files an annual report with DFI each year after the year it registered, during the calendar quarter in which its registration anniversary falls (due March 31, June 30, September 30 or December 31). The fee is $25.00 online or $40.00 on paper. Foreign LLCs file during the first calendar quarter (due March 31); fee $65.00 online or $80.00 on paper. An LLC that does not file becomes delinquent and, if not cured for an extended period, risks administrative dissolution.
Is an operating agreement required in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin law defines an operating agreement as the agreement of all the members, including a sole member, whether oral, implied, in a record, or any combination. No requirement to file it with DFI was found.
How do you get a sales tax permit in Wisconsin?
Businesses making taxable sales register with the Wisconsin Department of Revenue for a seller's permit. The initial Business Tax Registration (BTR) fee is $20 for new businesses and covers two years; after that, a $10 BTR renewal fee applies for each two-year period. The seller's permit must be posted.
How do you register a foreign LLC in Wisconsin?
An out-of-state LLC files a foreign registration statement with DFI. By statute, the fee is $100; DFI's fee page lists foreign registration as "$100.00+".
How do you dissolve an LLC in Wisconsin?
A Wisconsin LLC files a statement of dissolution or statement of termination with DFI; the statutory fee is $20. DFI lists dissolution/termination at $20.00 online and $35.00 on paper. A foreign LLC's statement of withdrawal or cancellation costs $40.

Starting an LLC & Small Business in other states

More Wisconsin law

General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.