Wyoming LLC Cost
Formation Filing Fee: $100
Wyoming charges a flat $100 filing fee for Articles of Organization (Wyo. Stat. § 17-29-201(a)(i)). This covers one-time formation and includes online filing through WyoBiz. Paper filings are processed in up to 15 business days; online filing is available and typically faster.
You must include in your Articles: your LLC name (with required designator like "LLC" or "Limited Liability Company"), a Wyoming registered office street address, the registered agent's name and written consent, your mailing address, principal office address, and an email for electronic service notices (Wyo. Stat. § 17-29-201).
One or more organizers may sign and file the Articles (Wyo. Stat. § 17-29-201). You can choose an effective date other than the filing date if desired. No expedited processing fee is listed in Wyoming statute, so the $100 fee is standard regardless of processing speed.
Name Reservation Cost: $60 (Optional)
If you want to reserve your LLC name before filing Articles, Wyoming charges $60 and holds the name for 120 days. This is optional—you can file Articles immediately without reserving.
Your LLC name must include a required designator: Limited Liability Company, LLC, L.L.C., Limited Company, LC, L.C., Ltd. Liability Company, Ltd. Liability Co., or Limited Liability Co. (Wyo. Stat. § 17-29-108). The name must be distinguishable on the Wyoming Secretary of State's records from other business names (Wyo. Stat. § 17-16-401).
Search available names free at https://wyobiz.wyo.gov/Business/FilingSearch.aspx before reserving. If you plan to operate under a name different from your LLC's legal name, you must file a trade name registration (DBA) with the Wyoming Secretary of State for $100.
Registered Agent Cost: $0–$300+ Annually
Self-Service Option: $0
You can serve as your own registered agent if you are a Wyoming resident with a physical Wyoming office address (Wyo. Stat. § 17-28-101). A member of your LLC can also serve as registered agent. This option costs nothing beyond your Articles filing fee.
Commercial Registered Agent: $100–$300+ Annually
If you hire a commercial registered agent, expect $100–$300 per year depending on the provider. Wyoming does not set a standard fee for commercial agents; the Secretary of State requires agents to register and pay a filing fee designed to recover administrative costs (Wyo. Stat. § 17-28-103(b)). Agents must renew registration by November 30 each year or face a late fee equal to the annual registration fee.
Changing Your Registered Agent: $5
If you need to change your registered agent after formation, file an "Appointment of New Registered Agent and Office" form with the Secretary of State for a $5 fee. The new agent must provide written consent to appointment (Wyo. Stat. § 17-29-113).
Operating Agreement Cost: DIY vs. Attorney
DIY Operating Agreement: $0–$50
Wyoming does not require you to file an operating agreement with the Secretary of State. You can draft your own using free templates online or purchase a template for $20–$50. An operating agreement is highly recommended to document member roles, profit distribution, voting rights, and dissolution procedures, even though it is not mandatory for formation.
Attorney-Drafted Operating Agreement: $300–$1,000+
If you hire a Wyoming business attorney to draft a custom operating agreement, expect $300–$1,000 depending on complexity and the number of members. This cost is not required for formation but protects your LLC's liability shield and clarifies internal governance.
Annual Report and License Tax: $60 Per Year
Wyoming requires every LLC to file an annual report on or before the first day of the anniversary month of formation (Wyo. Stat. § 17-29-209). The filing fee is $60 (Wyo. Stat. § 17-29-210(a)(iii)). This is a mandatory recurring cost for as long as your LLC operates.
Your annual report must certify under penalty of perjury your capital, property, and assets located and employed in Wyoming, your principal office address, and be signed by your treasurer or other fiscal agent (Wyo. Stat. § 17-29-210). Financial information must be current as of the end of your fiscal year; all other information must be current as of the report execution date.
Late Penalties and Administrative Dissolution
If your annual report and $60 license tax remain unpaid 60 days after the due date, your LLC is subject to administrative dissolution (Wyo. Stat. § 17-29-206). You can reinstate within two years by filing each delinquent report, paying back fees, and paying a $100 reinstatement fee. After two years, reinstatement is unavailable.
Online filing is available through WyoBiz, making renewal simple and fast.
Wyoming Taxes: Income, Franchise, and Sales
No State Income Tax
Wyoming imposes no state income tax on LLC members or the LLC itself. This is a major cost advantage compared to most states. Your LLC's federal tax treatment depends on member count: single-member LLCs default to Schedule C (disregarded entity); multi-member LLCs default to Form 1065 (partnership). You may elect S-corp or C-corp taxation if beneficial. Self-employment tax still applies to members.
No Franchise Tax or Gross Receipts Tax
Wyoming has no franchise tax and no gross receipts tax. Your only recurring state fee is the $60 annual report license tax, which is a filing fee, not an income-based tax.
Sales Tax Registration (If Applicable)
If your LLC sells tangible goods or taxable services, you must register for Wyoming sales tax. Wyoming imposes a mandatory statewide 4% sales tax, with local option taxes that generally produce combined rates between 4% and 8% depending on where the customer takes possession. Register at https://excise-tax-div.wyo.gov/general-administrative/excise-tax-faqs. Sales tax registration is free; you only remit collected tax to the state.
Self-Employment Tax
Self-employment tax applies to LLC members. Members of multi-member LLCs taxed as partnerships must pay self-employment tax on their distributive share of net earnings. Estimated tax payments are due April 15, June 15, September 15, and January 15.
Publication Requirement: $0
Wyoming does not require publication of your LLC formation in a newspaper or other public notice. This saves you $100–$500 compared to states like New York or California that mandate publication. Your only public filing is the Articles of Organization with the Secretary of State.
Total Cost Summary Table
| Cost Category | One-Time | Annual/Recurring | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Articles of Organization | $100 | — | Required; includes online filing |
| Name Reservation | $60 | — | Optional; holds name 120 days |
| DBA/Trade Name Registration | $100 | — | Only if operating under different name |
| Operating Agreement | $0–$1,000 | — | DIY free; attorney-drafted $300–$1,000 |
| Registered Agent (Self) | $0 | $0 | If you are Wyoming resident with office |
| Registered Agent (Commercial) | — | $100–$300 | Third-party provider; varies by company |
| Annual Report & License Tax | — | $60 | Due by anniversary month; mandatory |
| Registered Agent Change | $5 | — | Only if changing agents |
| Reinstatement Fee | $100 | — | Only if dissolved; within 2 years |
| State Income Tax | — | $0 | Wyoming has no income tax |
| Franchise Tax | — | $0 | Wyoming has no franchise tax |
| Sales Tax Registration | $0 | Varies | Free to register; remit collected tax |
| Publication | $0 | — | Not required in Wyoming |
| Minimum First-Year Total | $100 | $60 | Formation + first annual report |
| Typical First-Year Total | $160–$260 | $60 | + name reservation or agent change |
FAQ: Wyoming LLC Cost Questions
Q1: Do I have to pay Wyoming state income tax on my LLC?
No. Wyoming imposes no state income tax on LLCs or their members. Your LLC's federal tax treatment depends on member count: single-member LLCs default to Schedule C (disregarded entity); multi-member LLCs default to Form 1065 (partnership). You may elect S-corp or C-corp taxation if beneficial. Self-employment tax still applies to members.
Q2: What happens if I miss my annual report deadline?
Your LLC faces administrative dissolution if the annual report and $60 license tax remain unpaid 60 days after the due date (Wyo. Stat. § 17-29-210). You can reinstate within two years by filing each delinquent report, paying back fees, and paying a $100 reinstatement fee (Wyo. Stat. § 17-29-206). After two years, reinstatement is no longer available.
Q3: Can I use a Wyoming resident friend as my registered agent to save money?
Yes. A Wyoming resident individual can serve as your registered agent at no cost if they consent in writing and maintain a physical Wyoming office address (Wyo. Stat. § 17-29-113). You must still provide the Secretary of State with the agent's name, street address, and email. Changing agents costs $5.
Q4: How much does it cost to form an LLC in Wyoming?
Wyoming charges a $100 filing fee for Articles of Organization under Wyo. Stat. § 17-29-201. This is a one-time formation cost. If you file online through WyoBiz, you'll pay the same $100 fee with faster processing. You may also need to budget for a registered agent if you don't serve as your own.
Q5: What are all the costs involved in starting a Wyoming LLC?
Your total startup costs depend on several factors:
| Cost Item | Amount | Required? |
|---|---|---|
| Articles of Organization filing | $100.00 | Yes |
| Name reservation (optional) | $60.00 | Only if reserving name in advance |
| Registered agent service (annual) | Varies | Yes, but you can serve as your own if Wyoming resident |
| DBA/Trade name registration | $100.00 | Only if operating under different name |
The $100 filing fee is mandatory. Name reservation costs $60 if you want to hold a name for 120 days before filing. If you use a commercial registered agent service, expect $100–$300+ annually, though this varies by provider.
Q6: Is Wyoming really cheaper than other states for LLC formation?
Wyoming's $100 filing fee is competitive but not the absolute lowest. Nevada charges $75, and some states charge $50–$150. However, Wyoming's advantage isn't just the filing fee—it's the lack of state income tax, franchise tax, and gross receipts tax. Over time, Wyoming LLCs save significantly on annual taxes compared to most other states.
Q7: What is the annual cost to maintain a Wyoming LLC?
You must file an Annual Report each year on or before the first day of your formation anniversary month. The filing fee is $60 under Wyo. Stat. § 17-29-210. The license tax is $60 or $0.0002 of your Wyoming assets, whichever is greater—so most small LLCs pay exactly $60 annually.
| Annual Requirement | Cost | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Report + License Tax | $60.00 | First day of anniversary month |
| Late penalty (if unpaid 60+ days) | Administrative dissolution | 60 days after due date |
Missing the deadline by 60 days results in administrative dissolution, not a separate late fee.
Q8: Can I change my registered agent, and what does it cost?
Yes. Changing your registered agent costs $5.00 under Wyoming law. You'll file an "Appointment of New Registered Agent and Office" form with the Secretary of State. The new agent must provide written consent to serve.
Q9: What does it cost to amend my Articles of Organization?
Amending your Articles of Organization costs $60.00 in filing fees under Wyo. Stat. § 17-29-201(a)(ii). Common amendments include changing your registered agent, office address, or adding/removing members.
Q10: Are there any hidden costs I should know about?
Wyoming has no state income tax, franchise tax, or gross receipts tax—major savings compared to other states. However, you must still:
- Register for Wyoming sales tax if you sell taxable goods (4% state rate plus local options, 4–8% combined)
- Pay federal self-employment tax on LLC income
- File federal tax returns (Schedule C for single-member, Form 1065 for multi-member, unless you elect S-corp or C-corp status)
These are not Wyoming-specific costs but apply to all LLCs nationwide.
Q11: What if I want to form a Series LLC or Professional LLC?
Wyoming offers both Series LLCs (Wyo. Stat. § 17-29-211) and Professional LLCs (Wyo. Stat. § 17-29-104(e)) at the same $100 filing fee. A Series LLC allows you to create separate series with distinct assets and liabilities within one LLC. A Professional LLC is for licensed professionals (doctors, lawyers, accountants, etc.) whose licensing statutes permit LLC practice. No additional fees apply beyond the standard $100 Articles of Organization fee.
Q12: Can I reserve a business name before filing, and what does it cost?
Yes. You can reserve a Wyoming LLC name for 120 days by paying a $60 name reservation fee. You can search available names at https://wyobiz.wyo.gov/Business/FilingSearch.aspx. Your name must include a required designator (LLC, Limited Liability Company, LC, Ltd. Liability Co., etc.) and be distinguishable from other registered business names under Wyo. Stat. § 17-29-108.
Q13: What is the cost to transfer my Wyoming LLC to another state?
Transferring your LLC to another state costs $60.00 in special toll charges under Wyo. Stat. § 17-29-115(e). You'll file a Certificate of Transfer with Wyoming's Secretary of State and apply for registration in the new state. The new state may charge its own formation or registration fees.
Q14: Do I need to file a DBA, and what does it cost?
If you operate under a name different from your LLC's legal name, you must register a DBA (trade name) with Wyoming's Secretary of State for $100.00. Your LLC's legal name must still include the required LLC designator.
Q15: What are Wyoming's sales tax registration costs?
Wyoming has no separate sales tax registration fee. If you sell taxable goods, you register for free at https://excise-tax-div.wyo.gov/general-administrative/excise-tax-faqs. You'll then collect and remit 4% state sales tax plus local option taxes (total 4–8% depending on location).
Q16: Can I get a refund if my LLC formation is rejected?
No. Under Wyoming law, if your Articles of Organization are rejected, the Secretary of State retains the entire $100 filing fee. However, rejection is rare if you follow filing requirements: include a compliant LLC name with required designator, provide a Wyoming registered agent with physical address, and include all required information under Wyo. Stat. §§ 17-29-201 and 17-29-203.
Cost Comparison: Wyoming vs. National Averages
| Cost Category | Wyoming | National Average | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| State Income Tax | $0 | 3–13% of net income | Saves thousands annually |
| State Franchise Tax | $0 | $175–$ |