Wisconsin LLC Taxes and Fees 2026: Complete Cost Breakdown

Annual Report Fee — $25 Due March 31

Every Wisconsin LLC must file an Annual Report with the DFI and pay a $25 feeby March 31 each year. All domestic LLCs, regardless of formation date, share this fixed calendar deadline. Foreign LLCs registered in Wisconsin pay $65 for their annual report, also due March 31.

The Annual Report updates the DFI's records with your current registered agent, principal office address, and member/manager information. Even if nothing has changed, you must file to maintain good standing.

If you miss the March 31 deadline, Wisconsin charges a $10 per month late fee. More critically, if the annual report is not filed within 60 days after the due date, the DFI can administratively dissolve your LLC — stripping it of the legal authority to transact business, enter contracts, and maintain liability protection.

Registered Agent Cost

Every Wisconsin LLC must maintain a registered agent with a physical street address in Wisconsin (no PO Boxes). If you hire a professional registered agent service, expect to pay $100–$300 per year.

You can serve as your own registered agent if you are a Wisconsin resident with a physical Wisconsin address where you are available during normal business hours. This saves the annual fee but puts your personal address in the public DFI database. See our full guide: Can I Be My Own Registered Agent in Wisconsin?

Wisconsin Taxes for LLCs

Wisconsin does not impose a franchise tax or minimum annual tax on LLCs. LLC income passes through to members who pay Wisconsin individual income tax at graduated rates from 3.54% to 7.65%.

Note: Income brackets are approximate for 2026 and subject to annual adjustment by the Wisconsin Department of Revenue.

LLCs with employees must register for Wisconsin employer withholding tax. Active LLC members also owe federal self-employment tax (15.3%) on their share of LLC earnings. Wisconsin requires an EIN for multi-member LLCs or those with employees — free from irs.gov.

Wisconsin vs. Neighboring States

Wisconsin's income tax rates are notably lower than Minnesota's — a meaningful advantage for profitable LLC owners. Illinois has a flat 4.95% rate that undercuts Wisconsin's top bracket, but higher annual fees apply. Wyoming and Nevada offer no income tax, but their higher formation/annual fees and lack of operational presence make them impractical for Wisconsin-based businesses.

For most Wisconsin-based businesses, forming locally is the simplest and most cost-effective approach. Registering in a "tax-friendly" state often also requires registering as a foreign LLC in Wisconsin ($100 + $65/year), eliminating most of the perceived tax savings.

Foreign LLC Registration Fee

If your LLC was formed in another state but conducts business in Wisconsin, you must register as a foreign LLC by filing a Certificate of Authority with the Wisconsin DFI. The online filing fee is $100. You will need a Certificate of Good Standing from your home state and must designate a Wisconsin registered agent.

After registration, foreign LLCs file an Annual Report by March 31 each year at $65. See: Wisconsin Foreign LLC Registration 2026.

Total Cost Summary

Wisconsin is one of the most affordable Midwest states for LLC ownership. After the one-time $130 formation fee, your annual state cost is just $25 — with no franchise tax. For Wisconsin-based businesses, the total first-year cost is typically $155–$430 depending on whether you hire a registered agent service. Ongoing annual costs run $25–$325.