How to Start a Business in Wyoming
Everything you need to form your Wyoming LLC, corporation, or sole proprietorship, with exact fees, timelines, and step-by-step instructions.
Wyoming offers advantages for starting a business due to its tax structure. The state levies no personal income tax, no corporate income tax, and no franchise tax. Filing an LLC costs $100, and the annual report fee is $60 for entities with $300,000 or less in Wyoming assets.
This guide covers every step to start a business in Wyoming, from choosing your business structure through obtaining the necessary licenses.
Choosing Your Wyoming Business Structure
This is the first decision and it affects everything: taxes, liability, paperwork. If you are unsure, an LLC is the right default for most Wyoming small businesses.
| Entity Type | Liability Protection | Taxation | Wyoming Filing Fee | Annual Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LLC | Yes | Pass-through | $100 | $60 Annual Report (annual license tax) | Most small businesses |
| Corporation | Yes | Double (C-Corp) or pass-through (S-Corp) | $100 | $60 Annual Report (annual license tax) | Raising investment, stock options |
| Sole Proprietorship | No | Pass-through | $0 | $0 | Freelancers, side hustles |
| Partnership | No | Pass-through | $0 | $0 | 2+ owners (consider an LLC instead) |
8 Steps to Start Your Wyoming Business
- 1
Choose your business structure
LLC, corporation, or sole proprietorship. Each has different costs, tax treatment, and liability protection.
- 2
Pick and reserve your business name
Search the Wyoming Secretary of State, Business Division database. Reserve for $60 (120 days).
- 3
Appoint a registered agent
Must have a physical Wyoming street address. Can be yourself (free) or a service ($100 to $300 per year).
- 4
File your formation documents
Articles of Organization (LLC-ArticlesOrganization) ($100) or Articles of Incorporation (Profit Corporation, P-ArticlesIncorporation) ($100) with the Wyoming Secretary of State, Business Division.
- 5
Get your EIN from the IRS
Free, online, takes about 5 minutes. Do not pay anyone for this.
- 6
Register for a sales tax permit if you sell goods
Through the Wyoming Department of Revenue, Excise Tax Division. State sales tax rate: 4%.
- 7
Get required licenses and permits
Wyoming has no general statewide business license.
- 8
Register for Wyoming taxes
Personal income tax: none.
How Much Does It Cost to Start a Business in Wyoming?
| Item | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| LLC filing fee (Wyoming Secretary of State, Business Division) Required | $100 | Online filings through WyoBiz are active as soon as the filing is completed. |
| Corporation filing fee Required | $100 | If forming a corporation instead |
| Annual Report (annual license tax) Required | $60 | The first day of the anniversary month of formation, every year. It may be filed up to 120 days before the due date. |
| Name reservation | $60 | 120 days |
| Registered agent service | $0 to $300/yr | Free if you serve as your own |
| EIN (IRS) Required | $0 | Always free |
| Business license | Varies | Wyoming has no general statewide business license. |
| Operating agreement | $0 to $500+ | Free template or attorney-drafted |
| Realistic LLC total (year 1) | $100 to $460 |
Start a Specific Business in Wyoming
Wyoming Business Guides
- How to Start an LLC in Wyoming
- How to Start a Corporation in Wyoming
- Sole Proprietorship in Wyoming: How to Start One
- Wyoming Business License: What You Need and How to Get It
- Wyoming Home-Based Business Laws: Zoning, Permits and Rules
- How to Get an EIN in Wyoming
- Wyoming Business Name Search: How to Check and Reserve a Name
- How to Get a Resale Certificate in Wyoming
- Wyoming Registered Agent: Requirements and How to Choose One
- Best LLC Services in Wyoming
- Wyoming Business Taxes Explained for New Owners
- How Much Does It Cost to Start a Business in Wyoming
Why Start a Business in Wyoming?
- Filing Articles of Organization for an LLC costs $100, the same as Articles of Incorporation for a profit corporation, and an online filing is active immediately.
- Wyoming levies no personal income tax, no corporate income tax and no franchise tax, so state entity costs are limited to filing and annual report fees.
- The annual report license tax is $60 for any entity holding $300,000 or less in assets located and employed in Wyoming, or $0.0002 per dollar of Wyoming assets above that.
- The state sales tax rate is 4% under W.S. 39-15-104, and the sales and use tax license itself is a one time $60 application fee.
- There is no general statewide business license; licensing is handled by industry regulators and by city clerks where the business operates.
- Wyoming's population was 588,753 as of July 1, 2025, and about 27% of residents live in the two largest cities, Cheyenne (66,507) and Casper (58,771).
Wyoming Business Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
- How long does it take to form an LLC in Wyoming?
- An LLC formed online through WyoBiz becomes active immediately upon completion of the filing. Paper filings are processed in the order received and take up to 15 business days.
- What does it cost to start an LLC in Wyoming in the first year?
- Filing Articles of Organization costs $100. The annual report fee is $60, due on the anniversary month of formation. If you make taxable sales, a sales and use tax license requires a one-time $60 application fee.
- Can a non-resident form a Wyoming LLC?
- Wyoming does not impose a residency requirement for forming an LLC. You can file Articles of Organization online through WyoBiz or submit a paper filing.
- What is the cheapest way to start a business in Wyoming?
- The cheapest way is to form an LLC by filing Articles of Organization, which costs $100 to file. The annual report costs $60 each year, due on the anniversary month of formation.
- Is an operating agreement required for a Wyoming LLC?
- The required formation document for an LLC is Articles of Organization, filed with the Secretary of State. An operating agreement is not a filing requirement.