Apply for LLC in Wisconsin

Find out how to apply for an LLC in Wisconsin for free with this step-by-step guide.

Looking to apply for an LLC in Wisconsin? In this completely free guide we'll show you exactly how you can apply for your LLC in Wisconsin to make sure your new company is formed properly.

Starting an LLC in Wisconsin is Easy

Most states have made it pretty straightforward to actually apply for an LLC, and we'll show you all of the steps you need to cover in this guide.

If this is your first time applying for an LLC in Wisconsin then we recommend that you read through the whole guide because it will make your application process much less painful if you understand all of the necessary steps.

Why Should You Apply for an LLC in Wisconsin?

A Limited Liability Company (LLC) is a very common and popular business structure. It's very useful for you because it offers you liability protection in case of a lawsuit (hence the name limited liability).

What that means is that if your company were to get sued, your personal assets like your home, any vehicles, and your personal bank account would be protected.

You can also use your Wisconsin LLC to purchase assets like real estate, and keep it separated from your personal assets.

If you are serious about your business venture then applying for an LLC in Wisconsin is a relatively cheap way to protect yourself personally.

Ready to apply for an LLC in Wisconsin? Let's get to the guide.


1. Wisconsin LLC Name

Okay, so the very first step you should always before you apply for an LLC is to check and make sure the business entity name you'd like to use is available for use in your state.

The name of your Wisconsin LLC needs to be unique and distinguishable from other businesses that have already been registered in the state.

To perform a business name search in Wisconsin you can use the Business Entity Search page.

If there are companies that you think might be too similar in name to your chosen name in the state database, it's good practice to actually call them to confirm.

Designator

Your chosen LLC name needs to have a designator at the end of it. To keep it simple and to comply with Wisconsin law, we suggest that you pick one of the following:

  • LLC or L.L.C. (LLC is the most common as it is easier to type!)
  • LC or L.C.
  • Limited Liability Company

Important note: your Wisconsin LLC name CANNOT include a designator that makes it appear to be a different type of business entity. This means you cannot use Inc, Incorporated, LP, LLP, or anything misleading in your name.

2. Wisconsin Registered Agent

The Wisconsin Secretary of State requires all LLC Certificate of Formation filings to have a Registered Agent listed on the form.

A Registered Agent in Wisconsin is a company or person that you choose (and they agree) to receive all notices, mail, and court documents in the event that your LLC is sued or involved in a court case.

You can do this yourself but if you do so, your address will be publicly listed as the Registered Agent for your company. As you can imagine, that's not very private and can lead to issues.

Generally speaking, we recommend that you use a Registered Agent service. This keeps your personal details private and adds that separation between business and personal communications.

If you choose to apply for an LLC in Wisconsin by using an LLC formation service like ZenBusiness, IncFile, or Northwest Registered Agent, they will provide you with one year of registered agent service for free.

3. Wisconsin LLC Certificate of Formation

Wisconsin LLC Fees

  • State Filing Cost: $130 Online, $170 By Mail
  • LLC annual report fee: $25

Filing Methods

You can apply for an LLC in Wisconsin by mail.

File Your LLC by Mail

To file by mail you need to fill out the form 502 and mail it to the Wisconsin Secretary of State.

Wisconsin LLC Operating Agreement

When you apply for an LLC in Wisconsin, an Operating Agreement is a written contract that is used to explain who owns the LLC and how much of it they own.

This is important because it sets out how the LLC is managed, how profits are split, taxes paid, and so on, to avoid disputes with the LLC Members.

You will need an Operating Agreement when applying for an LLC in Wisconsin for both Single-Member LLCs and Multi-Member LLCs.

Apply for an EIN for Your Wisconsin LLC

Once you have applied for your LLC and been approved, you can then apply for an EIN (Employer Identification Number).

Also known as an FEIN or Federal Employer Identification Number, your Wisconsin LLC's EIN number is used to identify your LLC to the IRS for tax and filing purposes.

When you open an LLC bank account, you'll need your EIN number to get the account approved.

To apply for an EIN in Wisconsin you can either apply online here, or file form S3-4 with the IRS by post.

Wisconsin Annual Report

The deadline for filing your Wisconsin Annual report is: end of the quarter in which an LLC was formed.

Wisconsin State Agencies

State of Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions Corporations

URL: https://www.wdfi.org/corporations/

Conclusion: How to Apply for an LLC in Wisconsin

Hopefully this guide has given you all of the relevant information you need to go out and apply to form an LLC in Wisconsin. If you notice anything missing from this guide, please do get in touch and let us know so that we can continue to improve and offer you the best free guide to applying for an LLC in Wisconsin.