Wisconsin
LLC, Business License, Incorporation
With the 20th largest population in the United States, Wisconsin services both large and small businesses. Wisconsin's major industries include manufacturing, agriculture, and health care. Regardless of your industry, we can help you take advantage of Wisconsin's business services.
Forming a corporation in Wisconsin
Each state has its own set of rules for businesses seeking to form a corporation there. If you've decided to incorporate in Wisconsin, incorporate.com will take care of all the details. We'll research the availability of your company name and help you prepare and file your Articles of Incorporation with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions. We can also assist with many of your follow-up needs such as amendment filings, written consents, and annual report preparation and filing.
Here are some helpful facts about Wisconsin's incorporation requirements:
Corporate Name Requirements
Wisconsin requires corporations to have names that can't be confused with any reserved or registered corporate names existing or dissolved. The name must also be distinguishable from any limited liability or partnership, cooperative associations, or fictitious names. When you incorporate with incorporate.com's help, we'll research your company name to make sure it meets Wisconsin's standards.
Permitted designations: Wisconsin's corporate names may be followed by several approved designations, including:
- Co.
- Company
- Corp.
- Corporation
- Inc.
- Incorporated
- Limited
- Ltd.
Restricted designations: The use of certain words and phrases in corporate names is considered "restricted" in Wisconsin, meaning they require special approval by the state. These include:
- Bank
- Coop
- Cooperative
- Insurance
- Railroad
- Trust
Filing Requirements
Remember, when you work with incorporate.com, we'll take care of your incorporation filing for you. This information is presented only for your reference.
Required documents: The state of Wisconsin requires businesses to file Articles of Incorporation with the Department of Financial Institutions.
Turnaround time: In general, turnaround time for incorporating a business in Wisconsin is 5-10 business days. Expedited filings, which require an additional fee, typically take 2-3 business days.
Follow-up filings: Not required.
Officers/Directors Information
Minimum number: Corporations are required to have one or more directors.
Officer Qualifications: The articles of incorporation or bylaws may prescribe qualifications for the directors. A director need not be a Wisconsin resident or shareholder unless so prescribed in the articles or bylaws.
Appearance in articles: Not required. Directors' names and addresses do not have to appear in the Articles of Incorporation.
Written consent: Permitted. Directors may act in writing in lieu of holding a meeting.
Annual Reports
Time to file: Corporations must file annual reports with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions during the calendar year quarter in which the anniversary of incorporation occurs.
Turnaround time: Turn around time at the state is between 5 and 10 business days.
Signatures: Only company officers are authorized to sign annual reports. Emailed or faxed signatures are accepted.
Filing extensions: Permitted.
Forming an LLC in Wisconsin
Each state has its own set of requirements for businesses that plan on forming a Limited Liability Company (LLC) there. If you decide to form an LLC in Wisconsin, incorporate.com will take care of all the details. We'll research the availability of your company name and help you prepare and file your Articles of Organization with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions. We can also take care of many of your company's follow-up needs, including annual report preparation and filing.
Here are some helpful facts about Wisconsin's LLC requirements:
LLC Name Requirements
Wisconsin requires Limited Liability Companies to have names that can't be confused with any other limited liability company names as well as any corporate, nonstock, limited partnership, limited liability partnership, cooperative association, designated, registered, or fictitious name. When you form your LLC with incorporate.com's help, we'll research your company name to make sure it meets Wisconsin's standards.
Permitted designations: Wisconsin LLC names may be followed by several approved designations, including:
- L.L.C.
- LLC
- Limited Liability Co.
- Limited Liability Company
Restricted words: The use of certain words in LLC names is "restricted" in Wisconsin, meaning special approval by the state is required. These include:
- Bank
- Coop
- Cooperative
- Insurance
- Railroad
- Trust
Filing Requirements
Required documents: Companies that wish to form an LLC in Wisconsin must file Articles of Organization. Remember, when you work with incorporate.com, we'll take care of this filing for you.
Turnaround time: In general, turnaround time for forming an LLC in Wisconsin is 5-10 business days. Expedited filings, which require an additional fee, typically take 2-3 business days.
Follow-up filing: Not required.
Managers/Members Information
Minimum number: LLCs are required to have one or more managers/members.
Annual Reports
Time to file: LLCs must file their annual report with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions within the calendar quarter in which the anniversary of organization falls.
Turnaround time: Turnaround time at the state is up to four months.
Signatures: Only a manager or member may sign reports. Emailed or faxed signatures are accepted.
Filing extensions: Permitted.
Get Wisconsin Business Licenses
Before your business can legally begin to operate, you must satisfy its license, permit, and tax registration requirements. Almost all state, county, and local governments require businesses to obtain one or more licenses and permits. Additionally, selling taxable goods and services or hiring employees requires that you register with tax authorities. All business license, permit, and tax registration requirements vary by your industry and location.
Examples of possible licenses required in Wisconsin:
- Real Estate License
- Educational Institution License
- Landscaping License
Too busy to research your licensing requirements? We can help.
Let's get to it.
Incorporate in any state, starting as low as
$79
plus state fees
