Last updated: October 13, 2026
The state of Wisconsin charges $130 to create an LLC, and that’s the only cost you can’t avoid. If you’re figuring out how to start an LLC in Wisconsin, that number is your starting line. You file the Articles of Organization with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (DFI), and the fee is set by statute at $130 (Wis. Stat. 183.0122(2)(a)1). Wisconsin law lets DFI charge more for paper filings, so filing online is the cheapest way.
An EIN, the federal tax ID for your business, is free from the IRS. A formation service is optional.
This guide walks you through each step, from naming your business to filing your first annual report.
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Key Takeaways
- The Wisconsin state filing fee for the Articles of Organization (Form 502) is $130.
- The annual report costs $25 and is due every year in the calendar quarter of your formation anniversary.
- An EIN from the IRS costs nothing. You never have to pay for one.
- A formation service is a convenience, not a legal requirement.
Wisconsin LLC Costs at a Glance
| Item | Cost | When |
|---|---|---|
| Articles of Organization (Form 502) | $130 (paper filings may cost more) | One time, when you form |
| Annual report | $25 | Every year, starting the year after you form |
| EIN from the IRS | $0 | One time, whenever you need it |
Sources: Wis. Stat. 183.0122 (fees); Wis. Stat. 183.0212 (annual report timing); IRS.gov (EIN). Figures were current as of October 13, 2026.
“Free” here means no middleman fee. The $130 goes to the state.
Step-by-Step: How to Start an LLC in Wisconsin
An LLC (limited liability company) is a business structure registered with the state. It’s designed to separate your personal assets from the business’s debts. The people who own it are called members. For a broader overview that applies in any state, see our 7-step start-here guide.
1. Choose and Check Your Business Name
Your LLC’s name must be distinguishable from other businesses already registered in Wisconsin. Use the business name search on the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions website to see what’s taken. Check the DFI site for the current naming rules, including which words your name must or must not include.
Also check that a matching web domain and social handles are available before you commit.
2. Appoint a Registered Agent
A registered agent is the person or company that receives legal papers and official state mail for your LLC. You’ll name one on your filing. Your options:
- Yourself, if you have a physical Wisconsin address where you can reliably receive documents during business hours.
- Someone you trust who lives in the state and agrees to serve.
- A commercial registered agent service, which is a paid option. It’s useful if you want privacy for your home address or you travel often.
Check the DFI website for the exact registered agent requirements, such as address rules, before you file.
3. File the Articles of Organization (Form 502)
The Articles of Organization is the document that legally creates your LLC. In Wisconsin it’s filed on Form 502 with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions.
- Go to the DFI’s website and find Form 502 and its online filing option.
- Enter your LLC’s name, your registered agent’s information, and the other details the form requests.
- Pay the $130 state filing fee. That’s the statutory fee under Wis. Stat. 183.0122(2)(a)1, and DFI may charge more if you file on paper.
- Save the filed, stamped copy. You’ll need it for your bank and your records.
Processing times change, so check the DFI’s website for current timelines.
Example: Say you’re forming a one-person LLC for your dog-walking business in Madison. You search your name, name yourself as registered agent using your home address, file Form 502, and pay $130. That’s your total state cost for formation.
4. Create an Operating Agreement
An operating agreement is an internal document that sets out how your LLC is run: who owns what share, who makes decisions, and how profits are split. Even for a single-member LLC, having one in writing helps show your business is a separate entity from you. With multiple members, it matters even more, because it spells out expectations before disagreements arise.
Check Wisconsin’s LLC statute (Chapter 183) for what the law provides by default. Consider having an attorney review the agreement if your situation is complex. You generally keep it with your own records rather than filing it with the state.
5. Get Your Free EIN from the IRS
An EIN (Employer Identification Number) is a federal tax ID for your business. The IRS says you can get one directly from the agency in minutes, for free, and that you never have to pay a fee for an EIN. Apply only on IRS.gov. Sites that charge for EINs are third parties doing what you can do yourself.
You’ll typically need an EIN to open a business bank account, hire employees, or file certain tax returns. Whether to have your LLC taxed as an S corporation is a separate decision. See our LLC vs. S corp comparison for the tax setup.
6. Open a Business Bank Account
Keep business money separate from personal money. Bring your filed Articles of Organization, your EIN confirmation, and your operating agreement to the bank.
Online business banks are an option if you’d rather skip the branch visit. One example is Novo, an online business checking account built for small businesses and freelancers. Compare the fees and features of any account against what your business actually needs. Our guide to business bank accounts for new LLCs shows what to weigh.
7. Calendar Your Annual Report
Wisconsin LLCs must file an annual report every year. Details are in the next sections, but put it on your calendar now.
Wisconsin LLC Formation: DIY vs. a Formation Service
The DIY route:
- State filing fee: $130
- EIN: $0
- First-year formation cost: $130 (plus the $25 annual report when it comes due the following year)
With a formation service:
- State filing fee: $130, paid to the state
- Plus the service’s own fee, which varies by provider and package
- First-year cost: $130 plus whatever the service charges
For real prices side by side, see our comparison of the best LLC formation services.
What a service adds:
- Guided forms that reduce the chance of a typo or missing field
- Optional extras like registered agent service, compliance reminders, and operating agreement templates
- Convenience, if you value your time more than the fee
Nothing a service does is legally required. Filing Form 502 yourself with the DFI produces the same LLC. If you want a service, Bizee is one option to compare. Whichever you choose, confirm the total price before checkout, including what’s an add-on and what renews yearly.
Keeping Your Wisconsin LLC in Good Standing
Forming the LLC is the one-time part. The ongoing requirement is the annual report.
- Fee: $25, under Wis. Stat. 183.0122.
- Due date: Under Wis. Stat. 183.0212, the report is due each year following the year the articles became effective, during the calendar quarter in which the anniversary of the articles’ effective date occurs.
Example: Say your articles become effective on May 12, 2026. The anniversary falls in the April–June quarter. Your first annual report is due during that quarter in 2027, and then every year after in the same quarter.
Set your reminder for the start of your due quarter, not the end.
For late fees, grace periods, or what happens if you miss the deadline, check the Wisconsin DFI’s website for current details.
Keep a simple record file with your filed Articles, your EIN letter, your operating agreement, and each annual report confirmation. If you also wonder about federal ownership reporting, our post on the BOI report requirement in 2026 explains where that stands.
Wisconsin LLC FAQ
How much does it cost to start an LLC in Wisconsin?
The state filing fee for the Articles of Organization is $130, under Wis. Stat. 183.0122(2)(a)1, and DFI may charge more for paper filings. An EIN from the IRS is free. A formation service, if you choose one, adds its own fee.
Do I need a lawyer or formation service to form a Wisconsin LLC?
No. You can file Form 502 yourself with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions. A service or attorney is optional help, not a requirement.
How much is the Wisconsin LLC annual report?
The fee is $25 per year, under Wis. Stat. 183.0122.
When is the Wisconsin LLC annual report due?
Under Wis. Stat. 183.0212, it’s due each year following the year your articles became effective, during the calendar quarter in which the anniversary of your articles’ effective date falls.
Do I have to pay for an EIN?
No. The IRS says you never have to pay a fee for an EIN. Apply only through IRS.gov.
Your Next Step
Ready to compare costs? Check how Wisconsin stacks up in our LLC filing fees by state guide, then open the formation services comparison to decide whether paying for help makes sense. For current processing times and naming rules, visit the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions’ website.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or financial advice. Business formation rules, fees, and deadlines vary by state and change often. Always consult a qualified attorney, CPA, or tax professional before making decisions about your business.
