How to Start an LLC in Wisconsin

Starting an LLC in Wisconsin Is Easy With These 5 Steps

STEP 1: Name your Wisconsin LLC

Choosing a company name is the first and most important step in starting your Wisconsin LLC. Be sure to choose a name that complies with Wisconsin naming requirements and is easily searchable by potential clients.

1. Follow the naming guidelines:

• Your name must include the phrase “limited liability company” or one of its abbreviations (LLC or L.L.C.).
• Your name cannot include words that could confuse your LLC with a government agency (FBI, Treasury, State Department, etc.).
• Restricted words (e.g. Bank, Attorney, University) may require additional paperwork and a licensed individual, such as a doctor or lawyer, to be part of your LLC.
• Your name must be distinguishable from any Wisconsin limited liability company (LLC), corporation, limited liability partnership (LLP), or limited partnership (LP).

2. Is the name available in Wisconsin? Make sure the name you want isn't already taken by doing a name search with the State of Wisconsin's Business Entity Search.

To learn more about searching for a Wisconsin LLC name, read our full guide.

3. Is the URL available? We recommend that you check online to see if your business name is available as a web domain. Even if you don't plan to make a business website today, you may want to buy the URL in order to prevent others from acquiring it.

Now that you have verified your name and secured the URL you may select a professional service to complete the LLC formation process for you. We recommend using a professional service:

• Northwest ($29 + State Fees)

STEP 2: Choose a Registered Agent in Wisconsin

You are required to nominate a Wisconsin registered agent for your LLC.

What is a Registered Agent? A registered agent is an individual or business entity responsible for receiving important legal documents on behalf of your business. Think of your registered agent as your business's point of contact with the state.

Who can be a Registered Agent? a Registered Agent must be a resident of Wisconsin or a corporation, such as a registered agent service, authorized to transact business in Wisconsin. You may elect an individual within the company including yourself.

Recommended: Northwest provides the first year of registered agent service free with LLC formation ($29 + State Fees)

STEP 3: File the Wisconsin LLC Articles of Organization

To register your Wisconsin LLC, you'll need to file the Articles of Organization with the Department of Financial Institutions. You can apply online or by mail.

Now is a good time to determine whether your LLC will be member-managed vs. manager-managed.

For help with completing the form, visit our Wisconsin Articles of Organization guide.

If you’re expanding your existing LLC to the state of Wisconsin, you will need to form a Foreign LLC.

STEP 4: Create a Wisconsin LLC Operating Agreement

An operating agreement is not required for a Wisconsin LLC, but it's a good practice to have one.

What is an operating agreement? An operating agreement is a legal document outlining the ownership and operating procedures of an LLC.

Why are operating agreements important? A comprehensive operating agreement ensures that all business owners are on the same page and reduces the risk of future conflict.

For more information on operating agreements, read our Wisconsin LLC operating agreement guide.

STEP 5: Get a Wisconsin LLC EIN

What is an EIN? EIN stands for Employer Identification Number. EINs are a nine-digit number assigned by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to help identify businesses for tax purposes. It is essentially a Social Security number for a business.

An EIN is sometimes referred to as a Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN) or Federal Tax Identification Number (FTIN).

Why do I need an EIN? An EIN is required to:

• Open a business bank account
• File and manage Federal and State Taxes
• Hire employees

What if I already have an EIN for my sole proprietorship? The IRS requires that sole proprietorships get a new EIN when converting to an LLC.

Where do I get an EIN? You can get an EIN for free from the IRS. Getting an EIN is an easy process that can be done online or by mail.

FOR INTERNATIONAL EIN APPLICANTS: You do not need a SSN to get an EIN. For more information, read our How to Get an EIN as a Foreign Person guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Important Steps After Formation

Separate Your Personal and Business Assets

When your personal and business accounts are mixed, your personal assets (your home, car, and other valuables) are at risk in the event your Wisconsin LLC is sued. In business law, this is referred to as piercing the corporate veil.

You can start protecting your LLC in Wisconsin with these steps:

1. Opening a business checking account:

• Separates your personal assets from your company's assets, which is necessary for personal asset protection.
• Makes accounting and tax filing easier.

Need help finding your EIN for your bank application? Visit our EIN Lookup guide for help.

Recommended: Read our Best Banks for Small Business review to find the best national bank, credit union, business-loan friendly banks, one with many brick-and-mortar locations, and more.

2. Getting a business credit card:

• Helps categorize and separate all business expenses for end-of-year tax purposes.
• Helps build your business credit score — an essential step toward getting a line of credit or business loan in the future. 
• Allows you to keep track of department expenses by issuing multiple cards (with multiple budgets) to your employees.

For a closer look at business credit cards and their benefits, check out our review of the best small business credit cards.

3. Hiring a business accountant:

• Prevents your business from overpaying on taxes while helping you avoid penalties, fines, and other costly tax errors
• Makes bookkeeping and payroll easier, leaving you with more time to focus on your growing business 
• Manages your business funding more effectively, discovering areas of unforeseen loss or extra profit

Recommended: Find out how much you could be saving today by trying our recommended accounting service.

For more business accounting tools, read our guide to the best business accounting software.

Get Business Insurance For Your Wisconsin LLC

Business insurance helps you manage risks and focus on growing your business. The most common types of business insurance are:

• General Liability Insurance: A broad insurance policy that protects your business from lawsuits. Most small businesses get general liability insurance.
• Professional Liability Insurance: A business insurance for professional service providers (consultants, accountants, etc.) that covers claims of malpractice and other business errors.
• Workers' Compensation Insurance: A type of insurance that provides coverage for employees’ job-related illnesses, injuries, or deaths. In Wisconsin, businesses with three or more employees, excluding business owners, are required by law to have workers compensation insurance.

Read our review of the best small business insurance companies.

Create Your Business Website

Creating a website is an important step in legitimizing your business. Every business needs a website if you want your customers to find you.

Send Out a Press Release

Press releases are among the easiest and best ways to promote your business. They are also one of the most cost-effective strategies as they:

• Provides publicity
• Establish your brand presence on the web
• Improve your website’s search engine optimization (SEO), driving more customers to your website
• Are a one-time cost in terms of effort and money
• Have long-lasting benefits

Keep Your Company Compliant

Wisconsin Business Permits & Licenses

Do I need business licenses and permits?

To operate your LLC you must comply with federal, state, and local government regulations. For example, restaurants likely need health permits, building permits, signage permits, etc.

The details of business licenses and permits vary from state to state. Make sure you read carefully. Don't be surprised if there are short classes required as well.

Fees for business licenses and permits will vary depending on what sort of license you are seeking to obtain.

Find out how to obtain necessary licenses and permits for your business or have a professional service do it for you:

• Business License Guide: Use our detailed Wisconsin Business License guide.
• Federal: Use the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) guide.
• State: Learn more about licenses, permits, and registration from Wisconsin's Department of Safety and Professional Services.
• Local: Contact your local county clerk and ask about local licenses and permits.

Wisconsin LLC Taxes

In order to keep your business in good standing, it's important to stay up to date on your Wisconsin LLC taxes.

Depending on the nature of your business, you may be required to register for one or more forms of state tax.

Wisconsin Sales Tax

If you are selling a physical product, you’ll typically need to register for a seller's permit through the Wisconsin Department of Revenue website.

This certificate allows a business to collect sales tax on taxable sales.

Sales tax, also called "Sales and Use Tax," is a tax levied by states, counties, and municipalities on business transactions involving the exchange of certain taxable goods or services.

Read our Wisconsin sales tax guide to find out more.

Wisconsin Employer Taxes

If you have employees in Wisconsin, you will need to register for Unemployment Insurance Tax through the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development. You will also need to sign up for Employee Withholding Tax through the Wisconsin Department of Revenue.

Federal LLC Tax Filing Requirements

Most LLCs will need to report their income to the IRS each year using:

• Form 1065 Partnership Return (most multi-member LLCs use this form)
• Form 1040 Schedule C (most single-member LLCs use this form)

How you pay yourself as an owner will also affect your federal taxes. Visit our guide to learn more about how to pay yourself from your LLC.

File Your LLC Annual Report

Wisconsin requires LLCs to file an annual report with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions.

Avoid Automatic Dissolution

LLCs may face fines and even automatic dissolution when they miss one or more state filings. When this happens, LLC owners risk loss of limited liability protection. A quality registered agent service can help prevent this outcome by notifying you of upcoming filing deadlines and by submitting reports on your behalf.

Hiring Employees

If you plan to hire employees, stay compliant with the law by following these steps:

• Verify that new employees are able to work in the US
• Report employees as "new hires" to the State
• Provide workers' compensation insurance for employees
• Withhold employee taxes
• Print workplace compliance posters and place them in visible areas of your workspace

Find more information at the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development website under "Employer Online Services."

Small Business Resources

Get Help Starting a Business in Wisconsin

We understand that creating an LLC and getting your business up and running comes with many challenges. To help you succeed, we compiled the best local resources in every major metro area in Wisconsin. You can get free assistance in the following areas:

Eau Claire | Green Bay | La Crosse | Madison | Milwaukee

State of Wisconsin Quick Links

• State of Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions Corporations
• Wisconsin LLC Statutes
• Understanding Wisconsin LLC Laws
• Wisconsin LLC Annual Report
• Best Registered Agent Service in Wisconsin

More Wisconsin LLC Information

Wisconsin Foreign LLCs

Forming a foreign LLC allows your company to operate as one entity in multiple states. If you have an existing LLC and want to do business in Wisconsin, you will need to register as a foreign LLC. This can be done online

How to Obtain a Certificate of Good Standing in Wisconsin

A Certificate of Good Standing, known in Wisconsin as a Certificate of Status, verifies that your LLC was legally formed and has been properly maintained. Several instances where you might need to get one include:

• Seeking funding from banks or other lenders
• Forming your business as a foreign LLC in another state
• Obtaining or renewing specific business licenses or permits

You can file a Wisconsin LLC Certificate of Status online or by mail through the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institution.

How to Dissolve an LLC in Wisconsin

If at any point in the future you no longer wish to conduct business with your Wisconsin LLC, it is important to officially dissolve it. Failure to do so in a timely fashion can result in tax liabilities and penalties, or even legal trouble. To dissolve your Wisconsin LLC, there are two broad steps:

• Close your business tax accounts
• File the Wisconsin LLC Articles of Dissolution

When you are ready to dissolve your LLC, follow the steps in our Wisconsin LLC Dissolution Guide.