Quick Answer

To start a Wyoming LLC, file Articles of Organization with the Wyoming Secretary of State ($100 fee) and appoint a registered agent with a Wyoming address. Wyoming is widely considered the best state for online businesses because it has zero state income tax, zero corporate tax, strong owner privacy, and an extremely low annual report fee of $60 minimum.

Wyoming LLC filing fee

The state filing fee for your Articles of Organization is $100. You can submit your documents online via the Wyoming Secretary of State's portal. Standard processing generally takes 5 to 10 business days.

Step 1: Choose a name

Your LLC's name must be perfectly unique and distinguishable from other business entities registered in Wyoming. State law dictates that the name must include an appropriate LLC designator, such as "Limited Liability Company" or "LLC". You can search the Wyoming Secretary of State's database to verify name availability.

Step 2: Appoint a registered agent

Every Wyoming LLC must designate a registered agent. This is an individual or authorized business entity responsible for receiving service of process, lawsuits, and official state correspondence on behalf of the LLC. The agent must have a physical street address in Wyoming (P.O. Boxes are not permitted). If you do not live in Wyoming, you will need to hire a commercial registered agent.

Step 3: File formation documents

Your business is officially created when you file the Articles of Organization with the Wyoming Secretary of State. You must provide your LLC's name, its principal office address, and the name and address of your registered agent. Unlike many other states, you do not need to list the names of the LLC's members or managers. The state filing fee is $100.

Step 4: Create an operating agreement

Wyoming law does not legally require you to file an operating agreement with the state. However, drafting an operating agreement is critical. It serves as the internal governing document for your LLC, establishing ownership percentages, voting rights, and how profits are divided. Additionally, almost all banks will require a copy of your operating agreement to open a business bank account.

Step 5: Get an EIN

An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is a free 9-digit tax ID assigned by the IRS. It functions like a social security number for your business. You will need an EIN to hire employees, open a business bank account, and file federal tax returns. You can apply for an EIN online directly through the IRS website.

Step 6: Register for state taxes if needed

Wyoming is incredibly tax-friendly. There is no state income tax, so your pass-through LLC profits are not taxed at the state level. If your LLC sells physical goods, you must register with the Wyoming Department of Revenue to collect the state's 4% base sales tax, plus any local county additions.

Step 7: File annual reports and stay compliant

Every Wyoming LLC must file an Annual Report to maintain its active status with the state. The report is due by the first day of the anniversary month of your LLC's formation. The fee is based on the value of your LLC's assets located within Wyoming. For the vast majority of out-of-state and online businesses with no physical assets in Wyoming, the fee is the $60 minimum.

Wyoming LLC Cost

Fee Type Amount
Formation fee $100
Registered agent estimate $39 - $150 / year
Annual report fee $60 minimum / year
Franchise tax $0 (None)
Publication fee if applicable $0 (None)
WHEN THIS MAY NOT APPLY

If you live in California, New York, or any other state with high taxes, forming a Wyoming LLC may not be the best default choice if you operate the business from your home. You may still owe taxes to the state where you actually live and work, and you will likely have to register your Wyoming LLC as a foreign LLC in your home state, which can create duplicate filing fees, registered agent costs, and annual compliance requirements.

Should you form your LLC in Wyoming?

A Wyoming LLC usually makes sense if you live in Wyoming, operate your business from Wyoming, or run a purely digital/online business while traveling constantly. If you live and operate a physical business somewhere else, forming in Wyoming may create extra registered agent costs, foreign qualification requirements, and duplicate compliance obligations. Compare Wyoming with your home state in our guide to the best state for an online business LLC.

Situation Is a Wyoming LLC usually a good fit?
You live in Wyoming Usually yes
Your business operates in Wyoming Usually yes
You want privacy Depends on state rules
You live in another state Usually only if you have a specific reason
You are a non-US resident Depends on banking, taxes, and compliance needs

Wyoming LLC vs Nevada LLC

If you are comparing Wyoming and Nevada, Wyoming is generally the better choice for small online businesses due to its much lower annual fees. Read our full Wyoming vs Nevada LLC comparison for details.

Wyoming LLC vs Delaware LLC

For most small business owners, Wyoming is a better choice than Delaware. While Delaware is the premier state for venture-backed startups forming C-Corporations, its LLC framework is unnecessarily expensive for everyday entrepreneurs. Delaware charges a flat $300 annual franchise tax, whereas Wyoming's annual report is only $60. Both states offer excellent privacy and strong asset protection, but Wyoming is significantly cheaper to maintain over the long term. If you are seeking venture capital funding, form a Delaware C-Corp. If you are running a standard small business or online company, form a Wyoming LLC.