Vendor setup
Register a business in Wisconsin
The filing office, forms, steps and next stops for registering a business in Wisconsin. Every line shows the official page it came from, and the day we read it.
The order to do it in
Choose a business type and get your EIN first. Then file with the state filing office below, and check your city and county before you start work.
Filing office
- Wisconsin entities are formed with the Department of Financial Institutions (DFI), Division of Corporate and Consumer Services, which accepts online filings (at lower fees) and paper or in-person filings in Madison. Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions, as of
Forming an LLC
- A Wisconsin LLC is formed by Articles of Organization (form 502), filed online or on paper with DFI. Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions, as of
- Articles of Organization, filed online: $130 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions, as of
- Articles of Organization, filed on paper: $170 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions, as of
- Optional next-day expedite, added: $100 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions, as of
- Optional in-person four-hour expedite, added: $250 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions, as of
- Optional in-person one-hour expedite, added: $500 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions, as of
Forming a corporation
- A Wisconsin business corporation is formed by Articles of Incorporation, filed online or on paper with DFI. The fee is the same online or on paper. Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions, as of
- Articles of Incorporation filing fee: $100 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions, as of
Annual or biennial report
- Wisconsin LLCs and business corporations file annual reports each year, due at the end of the calendar quarter in which the entity’s registration anniversary falls (March 31, June 30, September 30 or December 31). The first report is due the year after registration. Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions, as of
- Annual report, filed online: $25 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions, as of
- Annual report, filed on paper: $40 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions, as of
Assumed name (DBA)
- Wisconsin’s DFI has no DBA filing. Its fictitious-name form says it is not for a Wisconsin entity and is not a way to record a DBA name, and it points businesses to trademark registration, which DFI says is not required. Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions, as of
- Optional trademark registration, per name: $15 (as of Oct 6, 2026) Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions, as of
State tax registration
- Businesses register with the Wisconsin Department of Revenue for a seller’s permit (sales and use tax), online or with an Application for Business Tax Registration (BTR-101). Wisconsin Department of Revenue, as of
State rules for pool, lifeguard and contractor work
These lines point to the state’s own rules. Whether one applies to your work is for the state to say, so confirm with the agency named in each line.
- Wisconsin rule ATCP 76 (Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection) governs public pools. ATCP 76.05 requires a licence to operate a public pool serving a club, an association, a housing development, an apartment complex with three or more units, a condominium complex or a homeowners’ association housing complex. The rule also sets lifeguard and attendant staffing (76.22 and 76.23). Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau (Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection rule), as of
City and county licences
City and county licences vary by place. Check with your city hall or county clerk before you start work.
Sources
- DFI Corporation Fees Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions. As of .
- Articles of Organization (Form 502) Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions. As of .
- Business Entities FAQ Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions. As of .
- Adoption of Fictitious Name (CORP21B) Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions. As of .
- DFI Trademark File Online Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions. As of .
- Sales and Use Tax Permits Wisconsin Department of Revenue. As of .
- ATCP 76 Public Swimming Pools (Register November 2024) Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau (Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection rule). As of .
Official pages change. Each line shows the day we last read it.
Last checked