Florida LLC vs Wyoming LLC (2026 Comparison)

Florida and Wyoming are highly attractive to entrepreneurs because neither state levies a personal income tax. However, when it comes to business privacy and maintenance fees, the two states couldn't be more different.

Updated May 2026 • 9 min read

Quick Answer

If you live in Florida, you must form a Florida LLC (or register a foreign LLC in Florida). If you are an online business owner living outside the US or in a state with no physical nexus, Wyoming is better because it is cheaper to maintain ($60 minimum vs $138) and offers complete anonymity.

Key Points for 2026

Privacy: Florida's Sunbiz registry is completely public. Wyoming allows anonymous LLCs.
Taxes: 0% personal state income tax in both states.
Initial Cost: Florida is slightly more expensive ($125) than Wyoming ($100).
Maintenance Cost: Wyoming ($60 minimum) is less than half the cost of Florida ($138.75).

Florida's Privacy Problem (Sunbiz)

The state of Florida uses a very old, very public online database called Sunbiz. When you form an LLC in Florida, or file your required Annual Report every year, you must list the names and addresses of the LLC's managers or authorized members.

This means anyone with an internet connection can search your company name and instantly find your personal name. If you use your home address as the business address, your home address is now public record.

In contrast, Wyoming intentionally shields member and manager names from the public registry. If you search a Wyoming LLC on the Secretary of State website, you will only see the name of the Registered Agent.

The Double Filing Mistake

Many Florida residents try to use a Wyoming LLC to keep their name off Sunbiz. However, because they are managing the business from Florida, they must register the Wyoming LLC as a "foreign entity" in Florida. Doing so requires listing their name on Sunbiz anyway, completely defeating the purpose of the Wyoming LLC.

Cost Comparison Breakdown

Florida LLC Costs

Initial Filing Fee: $125
Annual Report Fee: $138.75 (Due May 1st)
Late Penalty: If you miss the May 1st deadline, Florida imposes a brutal $400 late fee.

Wyoming LLC Costs

Initial Filing Fee: $100
Annual Report Fee: $60 minimum
Late Penalty: Wyoming has no late fee, but they will dissolve your company after 60 days of non-payment.

Example Scenario

Scenario A: Julian lives in Orlando and runs a local landscaping company. He must form a Florida LLC. Even though Wyoming is cheaper, Julian is operating physically in Florida and must abide by Florida corporate law.

Scenario B: Maria lives in Argentina and runs an online SaaS company serving global customers. She should choose Wyoming. She will save money every year and keep her personal details off the internet.

What to Do Next

Florida Residents: Do not try to outsmart the system. Form your LLC in Florida to stay compliant.
Non-Residents: Choose Wyoming for the privacy and low fees.
Use a Registered Agent: Even in Florida, you can increase your privacy slightly by using a Registered Agent's address instead of your home address on the Articles of Organization.

Florida vs Wyoming FAQs

Do I pay state income tax with a Florida or Wyoming LLC?

No. Both Florida and Wyoming are among the few US states that do not have a personal state income tax. The profit from a single-member LLC flows through to your personal return tax-free at the state level.

Which state is more private?

Wyoming. Florida requires you to list the names and addresses of your LLC's managers or authorized members on the public Sunbiz database, making it very easy for anyone to look up your ownership.

Is Florida cheaper to maintain?

No. Florida requires a $138.75 annual report fee. Wyoming only requires a $60 minimum annual report fee.

Can I form a Wyoming LLC if I live in Miami?

Yes, but it won't help you much. Because you are managing the business from Florida, Florida law requires you to register the Wyoming LLC as a foreign entity in Florida, which costs $125 and forces you to file the Florida annual report anyway.