Wisconsin requires most business entities to file an "Annual Report for Department of Financial Institutions" to maintain their legal status and good standing with the state. For LLCs, this filing is commonly referred to as the "Wisconsin LLC Annual Report," while corporations must submit their report using the official state designation.
The annual report serves as your business's yearly check-in with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (WDFI), ensuring the state maintains current information about your entity's structure, management, and contact details. This mandatory filing demonstrates ongoing compliance with Wisconsin business laws and keeps your entity authorized to conduct business within the state.
Wisconsin law requires most registered business entities to file an annual report with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (WDFI) to maintain their legal status and keep business information current with the state. The list of required entities includes:
Limited partnerships (LPs) and limited liability partnerships (LLPs) are not required to file annual reports in Wisconsin. Additionally, sole proprietorships and general partnerships (unless they elect to be an LLP) are not required to file.
Authorized filers include:
Wisconsin offers two primary methods for filing your annual report: online filing through the Wisconsin One Stop Business Portal (recommended) and filing by mail as an alternative option.
Here’s the step-by-step online filing process:
If you prefer to file by mail, print the appropriate annual report form from the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions website, complete it manually, and mail it with payment to the WDFI
Processing timeframes:
Wisconsin uses a unique quarterly deadline system based on when your entity was originally formed or registered, rather than a universal annual deadline used by many other states.
Annual reports are due by the last day of the quarter in which your entity was formed or registered.
Wisconsin's annual report fees vary by entity type and filing method, with online filing generally offering cost savings compared to mail submission.
Filing your Wisconsin annual report requires specific information about your business structure, management, and contact details that must be current and accurate. These requirements include:
Entity-specific requirements:
Electronic signatures are accepted for both online and mail submissions. However, only corporate officers (such as president, secretary, or treasurer) are authorized to sign annual reports in Wisconsin.
Missing your Wisconsin annual report deadline immediately strips your entity of good standing status with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions. This creates immediate barriers to:
The situation deteriorates rapidly if you remain non-compliant. After one year of non-filing, Wisconsin administratively dissolves domestic entities or revokes foreign entities' authority to do business in the state.
Reinstatement requires filing all past-due annual reports along with their fees, plus paying additional administrative reinstatement fees to the WDFI.
Can I file annual reports for multiple years at once?
No, Wisconsin requires annual filing only. You cannot file multiple years in advance, and each year's report must be submitted by its specific deadline to maintain continuous good standing.
Can I file my annual report early or request an extension?
Yes, you can file your annual report early, and this is actually recommended to avoid last-minute complications. However, Wisconsin does not grant extensions for annual report filings.
What if I need to amend information after filing my annual report?
If you discover errors after filing, you can submit corrections through the Wisconsin One Stop Business Portal or by contacting the WDFI directly. Minor corrections may be processed quickly, while significant changes might require additional documentation and fees.
Who is authorized to file my annual report on my behalf?
Officers, directors, managers, members, registered agents, and authorized third-party service providers can file on behalf of your entity. Attorneys and accountants may also file with proper authorization.
Discern eliminates Wisconsin's deadline complexity by automatically tracking each entity's specific quarterly deadline and sending targeted reminders well in advance. Our platform pre-fills forms with your current entity data and integrates directly with Wisconsin's Department of Financial Institutions for seamless electronic filing.
Ready to stop worrying about Wisconsin's complex filing calendar? Try Discern today.
.png)
.png){kind=small}