Start a Wisconsin LLC
How to start an LLC in Wisconsin →
Name, registered agent, Articles of Organization and bank account, step by step.
Wisconsin LLC cost →
What it costs to form and to keep, and a three-year comparison.
Wisconsin operating agreement →
Not required by law, but every LLC needs one. Create yours free.
Run a Wisconsin LLC
Wisconsin Annual Report →
Every year. Due dates, first filing, and what happens if you miss it.
Wisconsin registered agent →
Every Wisconsin LLC needs one. Ours is included in year one.
Compliance deadline tracker →
Every federal and Wisconsin deadline for your LLC.
Changing or closing it: add or remove a member, change your registered agent, move to another state, dissolve the LLC.
Wisconsin LLC at a glance
Formed with
Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions, Division of Corporate and Consumer Services
Formation document
Articles of Organization
Recurring filing
Annual Report, every year
Online filing
Yes
Wisconsin LLCs file an Annual Report every year. It is due during the calendar quarter in which the anniversary of the Articles of Organization's effective date falls, so by the end of that quarter.
Must include "limited liability company", "limited company", "LLC" or "LC" (punctuation and capitalization variations allowed; "Limited" may be "Ltd." and "Company" may be "Co."), and it must be distinguishable from names already on the Wisconsin register.
- The due window is the whole calendar quarter of your formation anniversary, not just the anniversary month.
- Articles of Organization and annual reports can both be filed online with DFI.
Forming a Wisconsin LLC from outside the US?
The steps above are written for people who live in the US. If you live abroad, the bank account and tax filings work differently.
Wisconsin LLC for non-residents →Sources
Nearby states
All states
Frequently asked questions
How do I start an LLC in Wisconsin?
Choose a name, appoint a registered agent in Wisconsin, and file a Articles of Organization with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions, Division of Corporate and Consumer Services. Then write an operating agreement and open a business bank account. Our step-by-step guide covers each one.
How much does a Wisconsin LLC cost?
Wisconsin charges a one-time filing fee to form an LLC. With StartGlobal it is $399 in total, with that fee, your operating agreement and first-year registered agent included.
Does a Wisconsin LLC file an annual report?
Wisconsin LLCs file an Annual Report every year. It is due during the calendar quarter in which the anniversary of the Articles of Organization's effective date falls, so by the end of that quarter.
Is an operating agreement required in Wisconsin?
No, but every Wisconsin LLC should have one.
