Wisconsin LLC Cost (2026): $130 Online and a $25 Quarterly-Deadline Report
Wisconsin sits in the middle of the pack on formation cost and near the bottom on upkeep. The Articles of Organization cost $130 online, which is higher than Missouri or Colorado, but the annual report is only $25. The detail most guides skip is how Wisconsin sets the report deadline: not by your anniversary date, but by the calendar quarter you formed in.
Filing with the DFI: $130 or $170
Wisconsin LLCs are not formed with the Secretary of State. The filing goes to the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (DFI), Division of Corporate and Consumer Services. Articles of Organization cost $130 when filed online and $170 on paper, so mailing the form costs you $40 more for a slower result.
The articles are short: the LLC name, the registered agent and its Wisconsin address, whether it is member-managed or manager-managed, and the organizer’s name. Online filings are usually approved within a few business days.
Northwest Registered Agent
Wisconsin’s DFI database shows your registered agent address publicly. $39 formation + $130 state fee, free registered agent for year one, then $125/yr.
$39 formation fee · Free registered agent for 12 months · Your address stays off public records · No data selling · No hidden fees
Form Your LLC with Northwest ($39) →Lowest 3-year cost we found: Northwest $289 vs Bizee $298 vs ZenBusiness $497 (service fees; state fees extra). Northwest also puts its address on your public filings instead of yours where the state allows.
The Annual Report and the Quarter Rule
Each year after formation, a Wisconsin LLC files an annual report with the DFI. The fee is $25 online or $40 by mail. The deadline is the last day of the calendar quarter that contains your formation month. An LLC formed in February (the first quarter) files by March 31 each year. One formed in August (the third quarter) files by September 30.
This means two LLCs formed a few weeks apart can have deadlines three months apart. It also means an LLC formed on the last day of a quarter has almost no margin: the report window opens and closes around the same date.
The DFI mails a reminder to the registered agent address, which is one more reason to use an agent who forwards mail reliably.
Expedite, Name Reservation, and Reinstatement
- Expedite: the DFI offers expedited processing for $100 on top of the filing fee. Most new LLCs do not need it because online filings are already quick.
- Name reservation: $15 holds a name for 120 days.
- Reinstatement: an LLC that misses its reports long enough can be administratively dissolved. Reinstating it costs $100 plus all the delinquent annual reports, which turns a $25 obligation into a much larger bill.
Business Tax Registration and Trade Names
If your LLC sells taxable goods or services, or has employees, it registers with the Wisconsin Department of Revenue. Business Tax Registration costs $20 and is renewed every two years for $10.
A trade name registration, if you want to operate under a different name, costs $15 and lasts ten years. Wisconsin has no franchise tax on LLCs. Profit passes through to the owners, who pay Wisconsin income tax on it.
Wisconsin 3-Year Cost
| Scenario | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | 3-Year Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northwest Registered Agent | $169 ($130 online + $39, RA free) | $150 ($25 annual report + $125 RA) | $150 (same) | $469 |
| ZenBusiness (Starter) | $229 ($130 + $0 + $99 RA) | $224 ($25 + $199 RA) | $224 (same) | $677 |
| DIY, self as registered agent | $130 (Articles of Organization, online) | $25 (annual report) | $25 (annual report) | $180 |
Over three years, a DIY Wisconsin LLC costs $180 in state fees. With Northwest Registered Agent the extra $289 is registered agent service after the free first year, along with reminders timed to your quarter deadline.
Form your Wisconsin LLC for $39 + $130 state fee.
Northwest Registered Agent: $39 formation, free Year 1 registered agent, compliance reminders, and your home address kept off public records.
Form My Wisconsin LLC for $39
Prefer a $0 upfront starter plan? Compare ZenBusiness (registered agent $199/yr).
When a Wisconsin LLC may not be worth it yet: the $130 filing is the main cost, and the yearly $25 is light. If you are not yet earning or signing contracts, you can wait. If you plan to hire or sell taxable goods soon, forming first keeps the tax registration in the LLC’s name from the start.
Why I Choose Northwest Registered Agent
After forming 3 LLCs myself and helping clients through the process, I keep coming back to Northwest Registered Agent. Here is why:
- Remarkable Customer Support: Quick, human responses every time.
- Caring & Privacy-Focused: Genuine service with full respect for your privacy.
- Lightning-Fast Formation: Often faster than promised.
- Incredible Value: $39 includes a free business address, mail scanning, and more.
- Clear & Transparent: No hidden fees or surprises.
Ready to form your business? Choose Northwest today!
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to form an LLC in Wisconsin?
$130 to file Articles of Organization online with the Department of Financial Institutions, or $170 by mail. With Northwest Registered Agent the first-year total is $169, including a free first year of registered agent service.
When is the Wisconsin LLC annual report due?
By the last day of the calendar quarter that contains the LLC’s formation month, every year after formation. It costs $25 online or $40 by mail.
How much does it cost to reinstate a Wisconsin LLC?
$100 plus every annual report that was missed.
Does Wisconsin have a franchise tax on LLCs?
No. Wisconsin LLCs pay no franchise tax. Owners pay state income tax on their share of profit.
