To start a business in Wisconsin, file Articles of Organization (LLC) or Articles of Incorporation with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (DFI), get an EIN, and register with the Department of Revenue through Business Tax Registration for a seller’s permit and withholding. As of October 2026, filing an LLC online costs $130 ($170 on paper), and each LLC files a $25 online annual report every year.
Wisconsin business filings go to the DFI, not a Secretary of State, and the state lets you register with DFI, the Department of Revenue and the Department of Workforce Development together through its One Stop Business Registration portal.
Updated October 2026.
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Best Business Formation Services in Wisconsin (2026)
If you’d rather not handle forming a business in Wisconsin yourself, these are the services we recommend, in order. The table compares price and what’s included.
| Rank | Provider | Best for | Price | What’s included |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mainstay Filing | Forming an LLC with the agent, EIN and annual report included | $199/year + state fee at cost | LLC formation filing, registered agent for the year, EIN application, annual report preparation and filing |
| 2 | WI Registered Agent.org | Wisconsin registered agent service only | $99/year | $99 per year, flat; in-state street address for the registered office; legal documents served on the company are scanned and sent to the owner online |
| 3 | Wisconsin Registered Agent.co | Wisconsin registered agent service only | $99/year | in-state street address for the registered office; legal documents served on the company are scanned and sent to the owner online |
1. Mainstay Filing
Mainstay Filing is our top pick in Wisconsin. It costs $199/year + state fee at cost and covers lLC formation filing, registered agent for the year, EIN application, annual report preparation and filing. The price stays the same every year, with no add-on menu.
2. WI Registered Agent.org
WI Registered Agent.org is a Wisconsin registered agent service at $99/year. It provides $99 per year, flat; in-state street address for the registered office; legal documents served on the company are scanned and sent to the owner online. It’s a fit if you only need a registered agent rather than full formation help.
3. Wisconsin Registered Agent.co
Wisconsin Registered Agent.co is a Wisconsin registered agent service at $99/year. It provides in-state street address for the registered office; legal documents served on the company are scanned and sent to the owner online. It’s a fit if you only need a registered agent rather than full formation help.
Wisconsin at a glance (October 2026)
| Item | Wisconsin detail |
|---|---|
| Filing office | Department of Financial Institutions, Division of Corporate and Consumer Services |
| Online filing | DFI Business Entity File Online |
| LLC Articles of Organization (Form 502) | $130 online, $170 on paper |
| Business corporation Articles of Incorporation | $100 |
| Annual report | $25 online, $40 on paper |
| Annual report due | End of the calendar quarter containing your registration anniversary |
| Registered agent change | $10 online, $25 on paper |
| DBA | No state filing required |
| Business Tax Registration | $20 for two years |
| Sales tax | 5% state, plus county and city taxes |
| Minimum wage | $7.25 per hour |
Fees are from the DFI fee table. Mainstay Filing also lists Wisconsin LLC costs for planning.
Picking a business structure
Wisconsin’s main structures:
- Sole proprietorship. No DFI filing and no state DBA requirement. You still register with the Department of Revenue if you sell taxable goods or hire, and you are personally liable.
- General partnership. Shared ownership and liability, with the same tax registration rules.
- LLC. $130 online and $25 a year. Liability protection with flexible federal tax treatment. Our Wisconsin LLC guide walks through the filing in detail.
- Corporation. $100 to form and the same $25 online annual report. C corporations pay Wisconsin’s corporate franchise or income tax at 7.9%.
Most small businesses choose an LLC. Wisconsin’s online LLC fee is higher than the corporation fee, but the LLC’s lighter governance usually outweighs the $30 difference.
Choosing your business name
A Wisconsin LLC name must include “Limited Liability Company” or “Limited Company”, or the abbreviation “LLC” or “LC”. Corporate names need “corporation”, “incorporated”, “company” or “limited”, or an abbreviation. DFI ignores entity-type words when deciding whether a name is distinguishable from others on file.
Run three checks:
- Search DFI’s corporate records, linked from the DFI business entity FAQ, or use our Wisconsin business name search guide.
- Check the domain and social handles in one search on Namechk.
- Search the USPTO for federal trademarks.
The business name generator can help you find alternatives.
Do you need a DBA in Wisconsin?
No. Wisconsin has no state DBA or assumed name filing requirement. You can use a trade name without registering it with the state, though you can optionally register a trade name or trademark with DFI for added protection. List your trade name on your Business Tax Registration with the Department of Revenue, and check with your city for any local rules.
Appointing a registered agent
Every Wisconsin LLC and corporation must have a registered agent with a physical Wisconsin office, not just a P.O. box or mailbox service, and an email address. The agent can be a Wisconsin resident, including an owner, officer or employee, or a business entity authorized in Wisconsin, but your company cannot serve as its own agent. Changing the agent costs $10 online or $25 on paper, or you can update it on your annual report.
Many owners use a commercial agent for privacy and reliability. Mainstay Filing includes a Wisconsin registered agent for the first year as part of its formation package.
Filing your Articles of Organization
File online through DFI’s Business Entity File Online service, or on paper with Form 502. You will provide:
- The LLC name.
- The registered agent, registered office and agent email address.
- The principal office address.
- The organizer’s name and signature.
- Whether the LLC is managed by its members or by managers.
The fee is $130 online or $170 on paper. Expedited service costs an extra $100 for next-business-day processing. Wisconsin has no publication requirement. After approval, sign an operating agreement covering ownership and management; DFI does not collect it.
Get an EIN
Apply for a free Employer Identification Number from the IRS. You need it for your Business Tax Registration, payroll and a business bank account.
Business Tax Registration with the Department of Revenue
Most Wisconsin businesses that sell taxable goods or services or have employees need a Business Tax Registration (BTR). According to the Department of Revenue, the BTR fee is $20 and covers two years, then renews every two years for $10. One fee covers seller’s permits for all your locations, plus withholding and use tax accounts.
You can register through the Department of Revenue’s online BTR application, or register with DFI, the Department of Revenue and the Department of Workforce Development in one place through Wisconsin One Stop Business Registration.
Sales tax rates
Wisconsin’s state sales tax rate is 5%. Most counties add 0.5%, Milwaukee County adds 0.9%, and the City of Milwaukee adds another 2%, for a combined 7.9% in the city, according to the Department of Revenue.
Hiring in Wisconsin
Wisconsin’s minimum wage is $7.25 per hour, with a $2.33 cash wage for tipped employees, according to the Department of Workforce Development. Employers also:
- Register for unemployment insurance with DWD. New employers generally pay 3.05% on the first $14,000 of each employee’s wages.
- Report new hires within 20 days through the Wisconsin New Hire Reporting Center.
- Carry workers’ compensation once they have three or more employees, or sooner if they pay $500 or more in wages in a calendar quarter.
Licenses and permits
Wisconsin does not issue a general statewide business license. Beyond your Business Tax Registration:
- The Department of Safety and Professional Services licenses many occupations, such as cosmetology, construction trades, real estate and health care.
- Food businesses need licenses from the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection or local health departments, and alcohol sales need a municipal license.
- Cities and counties, including Milwaukee, Madison and Green Bay, set their own zoning, building and local license rules.
The Wisconsin SBDC offers free advising to help you sort out what applies.
Banking and insurance
Open a business bank account with your filed Articles, EIN and operating agreement, and keep business and personal funds separate. Insurance to consider includes general liability, professional liability, commercial auto and property coverage, plus workers’ compensation as required.
When is the Wisconsin annual report due?
Wisconsin ties the annual report to the calendar quarter of your registration anniversary, according to the DFI FAQ:
- Anniversary in January, February or March: file by March 31.
- April, May or June: file by June 30.
- July, August or September: file by September 30.
- October, November or December: file by December 31.
You file each year after the year you registered, and DFI emails a reminder. The fee is $25 online or $40 on paper, under Wis. Stat. 183.0210 for LLCs. Entities that do not file become delinquent, owe the missed fees, and can eventually be administratively dissolved.
Building a website for your Wisconsin business
Register a domain that matches your business name and set up a simple website. These builders are a good starting point:
FAQs
How much does it cost to start an LLC in Wisconsin?
As of October 2026, filing Articles of Organization for a Wisconsin LLC costs $130 online or $170 on paper with the Department of Financial Institutions. Each year after that, the LLC files a $25 online annual report. Most businesses also pay the Department of Revenue’s $20 Business Tax Registration fee, which covers two years.
When is the Wisconsin annual report due?
Wisconsin annual reports are due by the end of the calendar quarter that contains your registration anniversary: March 31, June 30, September 30 or December 31. You file every year after the year you registered. The fee is $25 online or $40 on paper, and DFI sends an email reminder.
Does Wisconsin require a DBA?
No. Wisconsin has no state DBA or assumed name filing requirement, so you can operate under a trade name without registering it with the state. You can optionally register a trade name or trademark with the Department of Financial Institutions for added protection, and you should list your trade name on your Business Tax Registration.
What is Wisconsin Business Tax Registration?
Business Tax Registration is the Wisconsin Department of Revenue account most businesses need before selling taxable goods or services or hiring employees. It costs $20 and covers two years, then renews every two years for $10. One registration covers seller’s permits for all locations, withholding and use tax.
What is the sales tax rate in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin’s state sales tax rate is 5%. Most counties add a 0.5% county tax, Milwaukee County adds 0.9%, and the City of Milwaukee adds another 2%, for a combined 7.9% inside the city. Retailers get their seller’s permit through Business Tax Registration with the Department of Revenue.
What is the minimum wage in Wisconsin in 2026?
Wisconsin’s minimum wage is $7.25 per hour, the same as the federal rate, according to the Department of Workforce Development. Tipped employees must receive a cash wage of at least $2.33 per hour, and an opportunity wage of $5.90 applies to workers under 20 during their first 90 days on the job.
Do I need a business license in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin has no general statewide business license. Most businesses register with the Department of Revenue through Business Tax Registration, and licensed occupations need credentials from the Department of Safety and Professional Services. Food and alcohol businesses need additional permits, and cities and counties set their own zoning and local license rules.
Can I be my own registered agent in Wisconsin?
Yes, if you live in Wisconsin and have a physical office there, not just a P.O. box or mailbox service, plus an email address. Your LLC itself cannot be its own agent, but an owner, officer or employee can serve. Changing your registered agent costs $10 online or $25 on paper.
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