How much does it cost to start a business in Wisconsin?
A Wisconsin LLC costs $130 to form when the Articles of Organization are filed online with the Department of Financial Institutions, or $170 on paper. A federal EIN is free. Business Tax Registration with the Department of Revenue has a $20 initial fee covering two years, and the annual report is $25 online.
How Wisconsin compares
- Wisconsin
- $130
- Rank
- 14 of 15 states, lowest to highest
- Median
- $90 - Wisconsin sits above it
- Range
- $40 (Kentucky) to $300 (Texas)
Quick facts
- Entity agency
- Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (DFI)
- LLC formation
- Articles of Organization, Form 502
- Formation fee
- $130 online / $170 on paper
- Registered agent
- Required — a Wisconsin street address (Wis. Stat. ch. 183)
- Annual report
- $25 online / $40 paper, due at the end of the LLC's organizing quarter
- Business Tax Registration
- $20 initial fee with the Department of Revenue; covers two years
The same question in every other state
This requirement is set at state level, so the answer changes when you cross a state line. Below is how 23 other states answer the same question, each linked to the page that cites the agency it came from. The full breakdown is on How to Form an LLC.
| State | Answer |
|---|---|
| Alaska | The primary state cost is the Alaska Business License, which is $50 for one year or $100 for two years. If forming a formal entity like an LLC or corporation, there is an additional filing fee, such as $250 for an Alaska LLC Certificate of Formation. |
| California | The main state cost is the $70 fee to file the Articles of Organization (Form LLC-1) with the California Secretary of State. A federal EIN is free, and a seller's permit costs free. |
| Connecticut | The primary state filing fee for a new business entity in Connecticut is $120 for an LLC or corporation, paid to the Secretary of the State. There is also an annual report fee of $80 for LLCs and corporations. |
| Delaware | The initial filing fee for a Delaware LLC is $90, and for a corporation, it is typically $89. Additionally, a Delaware business license from the Division of Revenue costs $75 for the first location. |
| Illinois | The main state cost is the entity filing fee if you form an LLC or corporation, plus any local license fees. A sole proprietorship has no formation fee. |
| Indiana | The main state cost is the $95 online fee to file the Articles of Organization with the Indiana Secretary of State. A federal EIN is free, and a Registered Retail Merchant Certificate costs $25. |
| Iowa | The main state cost is the entity filing fee set by the Iowa Secretary of State fee schedule. An EIN and most tax registrations are free; local and professional licenses add their own fees. |
| Kentucky | Filing LLC Articles of Organization with the Kentucky Secretary of State costs $40, and a federal EIN is free from the IRS. Beyond that, costs depend on your county and city occupational licenses, any professional licensing, and whether you hire a commercial registered agent. |
| Maryland | The main state cost is the entity filing fee set by the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT) fee schedule. An EIN and most tax registrations are free; local and professional licenses add their own fees. |
| Michigan | The state fee to form a Michigan LLC is $50 for the Articles of Organization, Form CSCL/CD-700, filed with LARA. A federal EIN is free. |
| Missouri | It depends on the entity. Filing LLC Articles of Organization with the Missouri Secretary of State costs $50 online (higher by paper). |
| Montana | Operating as a sole proprietor can cost nothing beyond a DBA fee, while forming an LLC or corporation costs the Montana Secretary of State filing fee plus any name or expedite fees. The EIN is always free from the IRS. |
| New Mexico | The main state cost for an LLC is the $50 fee to file Articles of Organization with the New Mexico Secretary of State. A federal EIN is free. |
| Ohio | Filing Form 610, the Articles of Organization for a domestic LLC, costs $99 with the Ohio Secretary of State. A trade name application is $39. |
| Oklahoma | The main state cost is the entity filing fee set by the Oklahoma Secretary of State fee schedule. An EIN and most tax registrations are free; local and professional licenses add their own fees. |
| Oregon | Operating as a sole proprietor can cost nothing beyond a DBA fee, while forming an LLC or corporation costs the Oregon Secretary of State filing fee plus any name or expedite fees. The EIN is always free from the IRS. |
| Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania charges $125 to file an LLC Certificate of Organization or corporate Articles of Incorporation with the Department of State. A fictitious name registration is $70 and foreign LLC registration is $250. |
| Rhode Island | The Department of State sets the formation filing fee and the annual report fee, and the Division of Taxation may impose an annual minimum tax depending on how the entity is classified. Confirm the current amounts on the Department of State and Division of Taxation sites; a federal EIN is always free. |
| Tennessee | The Tennessee LLC filing fee is $50 per member, with a $300 minimum and a $3,000 maximum, paid to the Secretary of State with the Articles of Organization. A single-member or five-member LLC therefore pays the $300 minimum. |
| Texas | Forming an LLC costs $300 for the Certificate of Formation (Form 205) with the Texas Secretary of State. An assumed name certificate is $25. |
| Utah | The state charges a filing fee for the Certificate of Organization and a fee for annual renewal; both are published on the Division of Corporations fee schedule, so confirm current amounts there. A federal EIN is free. |
| Vermont | The federal EIN is free. The Secretary of State charges a filing fee for entity registration and an annual report fee, both published on the Corporations Division site - confirm the current amounts there rather than from a third party. |
| West Virginia | Filing Articles of Organization on Form LLD-1 costs $100 with the West Virginia Secretary of State, and the Business Registration Certificate from the West Virginia Tax Division carries a $30 registration fee. A federal EIN is free. |
Full context for Wisconsin
This page answers one question. The complete Wisconsin guide -- covering the surrounding requirements, the forms, the agency, and what happens if you get it wrong -- is at How to Start a Business in Wisconsin (2026 Guide).
Sources
- https://dfi.wi.gov/Pages/BusinessServices/BusinessEntities/Fees.aspx
- https://dfi.wi.gov/Documents/BusinessServices/BusinessEntities/Forms/CORP502.pdf
- https://www.revenue.wi.gov/Pages/Businesses/New-Business-home.aspx
- https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes/183
- https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/get-an-employer-identification-number
LegalGlass provides general information for educational purposes and is not a law firm or a substitute for advice from a licensed attorney or tax professional. Laws and fees change; verify current requirements with the relevant government agency before acting.