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How to form an LLC in Wisconsin

File an Articles of Organization with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions, Division of Corporate & Consumer Services. State filing fee $130.

Start my Wisconsin LLC → Search names on the state site ↗

Due to form

$130

State filing fee

How to file

Online or by mail

Online: usually accepted on receipt with immediate notice. Paper slower; expedite next business day.

Keeping it active

Annual Report

End of calendar quarter containing formation anniversary, starting year after formation · $25

The steps in Wisconsin

  1. 1

    Choose a name

    It must be distinguishable from other businesses on file and end with “Limited Liability Company”, “Limited Company”, “LLC”, “LC”. Ltd. and Co. allowed abbreviations; capitalization/punctuation variants OK. Restrictions in Wis. Stat. 183.0112. You can reserve a name first for $15 (optional).

  2. 2

    Appoint a registered agent

    Agent with Wisconsin physical street-address registered office (no PO box/mailbox service); LLC cannot be its own agent; agent email required.

  3. 3

    File the Articles of Organization

    File with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions, Division of Corporate & Consumer Services (form Form 502). You can file online or by mail. Fee: $130.

  4. 4

    Sign an operating agreement

    Not filed with the state, and not required by Wisconsin law, but banks and partners often ask for one. LLCPros prepares one from your answers.

  5. 5

    Get an EIN and keep up with reports

    Get a free Employer Identification Number from the IRS, open a business bank account, then file the Annual Report (end of calendar quarter containing formation anniversary, starting year after formation).

Fees

Filing fee — Articles of Organization$130
Optional: Next business day expedite+$100
Optional: In-person, within 4 hours expedite+$250
Optional: In-person, within 1 hour expedite+$500
Optional: name reservation$15
Later: Annual Report$25

$130 online, $170 paper. Name reservation 120 days.

State taxes to know about

Pass-through by default; no franchise tax unless taxed as corporation.

Questions about Wisconsin LLCs

›How much does it cost to form an LLC in Wisconsin?

The Wisconsin filing fee for the Articles of Organization is $130. Optional expedited processing costs more.

›What document forms an LLC in Wisconsin?

You file an Articles of Organization (form Form 502) with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions, Division of Corporate & Consumer Services.

›Does Wisconsin require a registered agent?

Yes. Agent with Wisconsin physical street-address registered office (no PO box/mailbox service); LLC cannot be its own agent; agent email required.

›Does a Wisconsin LLC file an annual report?

Yes: the Annual Report, end of calendar quarter containing formation anniversary, starting year after formation, fee $25.

Double-check with the state

We could not confirm these on an official Wisconsin page when we last checked (November 12, 2026). Your filing plan lists them too.

  • The link to the state’s business name search
  • The current filing fee and any service charge
  • Exactly what the state’s form or online filing asks for
Self-help, not legal or tax advice. LLCPros is not a law firm, does not give legal or tax advice, and is not affiliated with any state or federal agency. We prepare documents from your answers and your state’s published rules; you file them and pay the state’s fees directly. Rules and fees change — check the official state links before filing, and talk to a lawyer or accountant about your situation.