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If you’re looking for an excellent Wisconsin LLC service then choose ZenBusiness. We’ve already formed 700,000+ businesses since 2017!
If you want a socially conscious Wisconsin LLC service with a service discount, choose ZenBusiness.
Northwest Registered Agent charges $225 (plus state fee) for LLC filing services. That said, Northwest’s personalized customer support is a feature that could make their prices worth paying for some entrepreneurs.
Overall, Northwest does have some points in its favor. However, keep in mind that it charges $225 (plus your state’s required fee) for its LLC filing services.
Want to learn more? See this Northwest LLC review.
LegalZoom is one of the biggest names in the industry, with millions of customers served and frequent advertising efforts. LegalZoom provides an LLC filing package for free (plus the state’s fee).
LegalZoom is a huge company, so while it offers extended support hours, the quality of its customer support may vary a bit from representative to representative.
Want to learn more? See this LegalZoom LLC review.
Incfile/Bizee offers LLC formations for free, as long as you pay your state’s fee. Incfile and ZenBusiness have some similar characteristics, but there are also some significant differences that set the two apart.
If you’re looking for a cheap LLC formation service in Wisconsin and ZenBusiness doesn’t feel right for some reason, Incfile/Bizee could be worth a closer look.
Want to learn more? See this Incfile/Bizee LLC review.
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*Processing times are based on receiving complete information. ZenBusiness processing times do not include Secretary of State processing times, which can vary.**SPECIAL OFFER – Get Starter for $0 plus state fees. Includes one optional free year of Worry-Free Compliance that renews at $199/yr.† ZenBusiness is a financial technology company and is not a bank. Banking services provided by Thread Bank, Member FDIC.
Technically speaking, you don’t have to use an LLC formation service like ZenBusiness or LegalZoom. These services are incredibly helpful, but you can save money by completing the process yourself.
You can read our complete guide to DIY an LLC setup in Wisconsin, but here’s a quick look at the process:
Every LLC in Wisconsin needs a name that’s memorable and gives potential clients a good idea of what goods or services are available. The name also needs to be unique — both for legal reasons and so your business stands out from the competition.
As we’ve mentioned in this guide, every LLC needs an agent who can accept service of process on your behalf. In all states, you can act as your own registered agent as long as you have a physical address in the state. That said, we generally recommend that you appoint someone else (like an online service) to act as your agent.
This document, once filled out and filed, officially forms your business in the state of Wisconsin. You’ll need to provide some important information, including your contact information, your business address, signatures for your LLC’s members, and more. Wisconsin has a $130 filing fee.
Setting up the LLC is as easy as 1-2-3; it’s the maintenance requirements that are a bit more complicated:
If you have employees, you’ll need to get an Employer Identification Number from the IRS. Then there are state-specific taxes, too. First off, before you jump into paying your taxes, you’ll need to register with the revenue department. Then you’ll be able to pay your individual income taxes (3.86% to 7.65%) or the franchise tax of 7.9%. If you’re involved in retail sales, you’ll also need to collect and pay sales taxes (5% plus local rates). You can learn more about these and other miscellaneous business taxes at the Wisconsin Department of Revenue.
There’s no general state business license in Wisconsin, but that doesn’t mean you won’t need to get professional licenses, such as those listed on Wisconsin’s One Stop Business Registration Portal.
Even single-member LLCs should create a “master document” that sets out how the business will operate, both now and in the future.
Each year, your LLC will need to file an annual report to update the state about the standing of your business. It’s due by the end of the tax quarter when you filed your Articles. There is a $25 filing fee (plus $1 if you file online).
Every business with employees needs to maintain workers’ compensation insurance and a commercial vehicle policy for company-owned vehicles. You may also want to get a general business liability policy, too.
You should sign up for a business bank account so you can write checks and make purchases in the name of the business instead of pulling from your personal accounts (a legal no-no).
This is just the tip of the iceberg, though. For more detailed guidance, we recommend contacting an attorney or checking out the full Wisconsin LLC Formation Guide.
LLCs are formal legal entities that are typically taxed similarly to sole proprietorships and general partnership vs LLC, in that the owners include any company profits or losses into their personal returns — the LLC itself does not owe income taxes. For more a more in-depth description see: What is an LLC?
In addition to the costs of a business formation service or hiring an attorney (which are optional, as we’ve discussed), there are quite a few other required and optional expenses when forming and maintaining a Wisconsin business.
You cannot form an LLC in Wisconsin without filing the Articles of Organization, the document that officially registers your business within the state. Wisconsin charges a $170 fee for this filing on paper or $130 online.
No matter what entity type you form, you’ll be expected to submit an Annual Report every year. This filing is pretty simple, but it keeps the state up-to-date about some vital information about your business, such as your registered agent and address. The base filing fee is $25, but there’s a $1 convenience fee if you file online.
Every business owner needs to register with the Wisconsin Department of Revenue for a $20 fee. Essentially, this process sets up your tax account (and it must be renewed for $10 every two years). After that, you’ll be set up to account for your income taxes each year. Like most states, Wisconsin has different rates for different taxation structures. Read more about Wisconsin costs – Wisconsin LLC costs.
FAQ's
Where Can I Get More Information About Forming LLCs in Wisconsin?
We invite you to take a look at our comprehensive guide to forming a limited liability company in Wisconsin. This article walks you through the LLC formation process in this state step by step, ensuring that you don’t miss any crucial elements.
How Can I Search Wisconsin’s Business Name Database?
One of the most important steps in forming a Wisconsin LLC is choosing a business name. Once you come up with ideas for your name, you should search through the Department of Financial Institutions’ Corporate Records Search to make sure your desired name is available. For more information on conducting a business name search in Wisconsin, check out Wisconsin business search on the topic.
Where Can I Find the Wisconsin Articles of Organization?
If you want to file online, head over to the Wisconsin One-Stop Business Portal. Or, you can download the Articles of Organization on the Department of Financial Institutions’ website.
What Are Wisconsin’s Ongoing LLC Maintenance Requirements?
In Wisconsin, an LLC’s ongoing maintenance requirements include the annual report. This filing is due each year by the end of the quarter in which you formed your LLC, and it has a fee of $25.
Where Can I Learn More About the Wisconsin LLC Licensing and Permitting Requirements?
Chances are, you’ll require at least one license or permit to operate your LLC in compliance with Wisconsin state law. For more information about business licenses and more in this state, check out Wisconsin’s helpful “A-Z License List.”
How Quickly Does Wisconsin Process LLC Formations?
Online submissions are typically processed within one business day. The Secretary of State should be able to process your LLC’s formation within 5-7 business days if you file on paper. If you’re in a hurry and don’t want to file online, you can pay a $25 expediting fee to shorten your turnaround time to one business day.
Which Company Provides the Best Wisconsin Registered Agent Service?
If you want more details about what these companies can offer in this state, or you’d like to take a look at some other options, check out our complete guide to Wisconsin registered agent service.
How Can I Dissolve My Wisconsin LLC?
Unfortunately, not all businesses last forever. If the time comes when you need to close your LLC’s doors, you’ll need to do so in a manner consistent with the state’s regulations. That’s why we wrote our guide to Wisconsin LLC dissolutions, so you can complete the process in a compliant manner.
What if I Need to Expand a Business From Another State to Wisconsin?
If your LLC already exists in another state, you don’t actually need to “form” it in Wisconsin. Instead, you’ll need to foreign qualify the business in this state. This process is somewhat similar to LLC formation, but there are some crucial differences as well. Take a look at our guide to foreign qualifications in Wisconsin for more information.
Disclaimer: The content on this page is for information purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or accounting advice. If you have specific questions about any of these topics, seek the counsel of a licensed professional.
Written by Team ZenBusiness
ZenBusiness has helped people start, run, and grow over 700,000 dream companies. The editorial team at ZenBusiness has over 20 years of collective small business publishing experience and is composed of business formation experts who are dedicated to empowering and educating entrepreneurs about owning a company.
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