Wyoming offers one of the most cost-effective LLC formation processes in the United States, with a $100 filing fee and an annual report license tax. The state's business-friendly approach eliminates many costly surprises found in other jurisdictions while maintaining straightforward compliance requirements.
Your total formation costs depend on whether you handle the process yourself or use professional services. Wyoming's transparent fee structure and asset-based annual report system provide predictable costs that scale with your business growth.
Every Wyoming LLC faces three essential expenses before beginning operations:
Wyoming's $100 filing fee remains consistent regardless of filing method, with online processing typically completed within 5-10 business days.
Beyond Wyoming's minimal mandatory requirements, several optional services can streamline your formation process or provide ongoing operational advantages. Whether these expenses make sense depends on your business complexity, available time, and comfort level with handling legal requirements independently.
1. Professional services
Professional services offer expertise that becomes particularly valuable for complex business structures. Attorney fees for comprehensive formation assistance typically range from $500 to $2,500, including custom operating agreements and ongoing compliance guidance. Accountant consultation for initial tax planning runs $100-$500 and often prevents costly mistakes once you're operational.
Business formation services provide a middle ground, with packages offering variable fees for automated filing and compliance tracking while handling the paperwork details for you.
2. Additional filings
Additional filings address specific needs that may arise during formation. For example:
Wyoming doesn't offer expedited processing since standard filings already process efficiently within 5-10 business days.
Wyoming's recurring expenses remain refreshingly low compared to most states, but understanding the asset-based fee structure prevents surprise invoices as your business grows.
Wyoming's ongoing compliance costs include:
Wyoming's annual report fee operates on an asset-based structure: LLCs with Wyoming assets over $300,000 pay 0.0002% of asset value, while smaller businesses pay the $60 minimum. This scaling approach means growing businesses pay proportionally more, but still far less than comparable states with flat franchise taxes.
Can I get a refund if my filing is rejected?
Wyoming generally does not provide refunds once processing begins, except in the case of mailed filings rejected due to an LLC name issue. Double-check all information before submitting your Articles of Organization.
Can I avoid registered agent fees legally?
Yes, if you maintain a physical Wyoming address and can receive legal documents during business hours. Out-of-state owners typically find professional services worth the cost.
Are there ongoing tax obligations specific to Wyoming LLCs?
Wyoming imposes no state income tax or franchise tax on LLCs. You'll only handle federal tax obligations and any applicable local licensing requirements.
Do Series LLCs cost more to maintain?
Wyoming allows Series LLCs with a $100 parent filing fee plus $10 for each additional "child" LLC, offering potential savings for complex structures.
Wyoming's low costs make it attractive for business formation, but managing compliance across multiple states creates administrative complexity that can overwhelm growing businesses.
Discern automates Wyoming LLC formation filings, provides professional registered agent services, and tracks compliance deadlines across all 51 jurisdictions with transparent, predictable pricing.
Ready to streamline your Wyoming LLC formation? Book a demo with Discern today.
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