Wyoming is the most popular U.S. state for "anonymous LLCs" and asset-protection holding companies — and for good reason. Wyoming pioneered the LLC in 1977 (the first state to authorize the structure) and has the deepest LLC case law outside Delaware. Filing Articles of Organization with the Wyoming Secretary of State costs $100 online (or $102 by mail), with online approval through the Wyoming SOS Business Filing System in real time to 1 business day. The annual report is $60 minimum (or $0.0002 per dollar of Wyoming-located assets, whichever is greater) — for most LLCs without significant Wyoming assets, $60 is the actual cost. Wyoming has no personal income tax, no corporate income tax, no franchise tax, and uniquely strong charging-order protection for both single-member and multi-member LLCs (a rare combination — most states weaken charging-order protection for SMLLCs). Member names are not required on the Articles of Organization, making the public record effectively anonymous.
Why form your LLC in Wyoming
The most popular state for "anonymous LLCs" and asset-protection holding companies. Wyoming offers strong charging-order protections for both single-member and multi-member LLCs — a rare combination.
- No personal income tax
- No corporate income tax
- No franchise tax
- Strong charging-order protection for both SMLLCs and multi-member LLCs
- Member names not required on public Articles — anonymous LLC
- Pioneered the LLC structure in 1977 — deepest case law outside Delaware
Best fit for: Holding companies & asset protection · Energy (coal, oil, gas) · Tourism (Yellowstone, Grand Teton)
Don’t want to file yourself? Northwest Registered Agent files your Wyoming LLC for $39 + state fee and acts as your registered agent the first year free.
How to form a Wyoming LLC in 7 steps
- 1Search the Wyoming business name database
Use the Wyoming SOS Business Filing System to search names. The name must include "Limited Liability Company", "Limited Company", "L.L.C.", "L.C.", "LLC", or "LC". Reserve a name for $50 (held 120 days) if needed.
- 2Appoint a Wyoming registered agent
Required to have a physical Wyoming street address. Most non-Wyoming founders use a commercial Wyoming registered agent service ($50–$300/year). For anonymous LLC structures, the commercial RA is essential — their address appears on the public record, not yours.
- 3File Articles of Organization
File online through Wyoming SOS Business Filing System for $100 (or $102 by mail). Approval is real time to 1 business day. The Articles include LLC name, registered agent, principal office, and (optionally) management structure. Wyoming is unique in NOT requiring members or managers to be named on the Articles — this is the basis of the "anonymous LLC."
- 4Draft an Operating Agreement
Not required by Wyoming law but strongly recommended — and Wyoming allows freedom-of-contract Operating Agreements that override most default rules (similar to Delaware). The Operating Agreement is private (not filed with the state), so it can list members and managers without public disclosure.
- 5Apply for an EIN with the IRS
Free at irs.gov, takes 10 minutes online. Required for opening a business bank account, filing federal taxes, and (for non-resident LLCs) demonstrating a federal tax presence.
- 6File FinCEN Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI)
As of 2024, all U.S. LLCs must file beneficial ownership information with FinCEN within 30 days of formation. Even though Wyoming keeps member info off the public state record, FinCEN requires you to disclose beneficial owners (anyone with 25%+ ownership or substantial control) to the federal government. True anonymity is no longer possible at the federal level.
- 7Calendar the annual report
Wyoming LLC annual reports are due in the LLC's anniversary month each year. The fee is $60 minimum (or $0.0002 per dollar of Wyoming-located assets, whichever is greater). For most LLCs without significant WY assets, $60 is the actual cost.
File directly with Wyoming Secretary of State →
Wyoming LLC taxes & compliance
No income tax of any kind. $60 annual report is one of the lowest. Wyoming pioneered the LLC in 1977 and has the country’s deepest LLC case law outside Delaware.
Ongoing compliance checklist
- Annual report — $60 minimum, due in anniversary month
- No state income tax
- No franchise tax
- Sales and use tax filings (Wyoming DOR) — only if you sell taxable goods/services
- Federal income tax (Form 1065 multi-member, Schedule C SMLLC)
- FinCEN BOI updates if beneficial ownership changes
Registered agent rules
Required — WY street address.
Hidden costs new Wyoming LLC owners forget
- Wyoming registered agent required ($50–$300/year for commercial service)
- Annual report: $60 minimum (or $0.0002 per dollar of WY assets)
- Foreign LLC qualification in your home state if you don't live in WY
- 4% statewide sales tax + local add-ons (averaging 5.36%)
- FinCEN BOI reporting still required (federal anonymity is no longer absolute)
- Some industries require state-specific licensing
Should you use a formation service in Wyoming?
You can absolutely file directly with the Wyoming Secretary of State for the $100 state fee. The reasons most Wyoming owners use a service anyway are (1) registered-agent privacy — keeping their home address off public filings — and (2) calendar reminders for ongoing compliance.
Have Northwest form your Wyoming LLC for $39 + state fee
Free registered agent for the first year. Real human support. Privacy-by-default — your home address stays off public filings.
Wyoming LLC: frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to start an LLC in Wyoming?
Wyoming SOS charges $100 online (or $102 by mail) to file Articles of Organization. The annual report is $60 minimum. Add a Wyoming registered agent ($50–$300/year). Realistic year-one cost: $150–$400 (filing + first-year RA). Ongoing yearly cost: $110–$360 (annual report + RA).
How long does it take to form an LLC in Wyoming?
Online filings through Wyoming SOS Business Filing System approve in real time to 1 business day. Mail filings take 5–7 business days. Wyoming's online portal is one of the most efficient in the U.S.
Why is Wyoming popular for anonymous LLCs?
Wyoming Articles of Organization don't require member or manager names to appear on the public filing — only the registered agent and principal office. Combined with a commercial registered agent (whose address appears, not yours), the public Wyoming record can be effectively anonymous. However, since 2024 all U.S. LLCs must file beneficial ownership information with FinCEN — true federal anonymity is no longer possible. Wyoming anonymity now means "off the public state record" but visible to the federal government.
Why is Wyoming popular for asset protection?
Wyoming has unusually strong charging-order protection — and uniquely extends that protection to single-member LLCs (most states weaken charging-order protection for SMLLCs, allowing creditors to seize the LLC entirely). Wyoming also has favorable trust laws, no state income tax, and the deepest LLC case law outside Delaware (Wyoming created the LLC in 1977). This combination makes Wyoming the go-to jurisdiction for asset-protection holding companies.
Does Wyoming have an LLC franchise tax?
No franchise tax. No state income tax. No corporate income tax. Wyoming is one of the most owner-friendly tax environments in the U.S. — the only ongoing state-level cost is the $60 minimum annual report.
When is the Wyoming LLC annual report due?
In the LLC's anniversary month each year. The fee is $60 minimum, or $0.0002 per dollar of Wyoming-located assets (whichever is greater). For most non-Wyoming LLCs without significant WY assets, $60 is the actual cost. File through Wyoming SOS Business Filing System.
Can a non-resident form an LLC in Wyoming?
Yes — and it's extremely common. Wyoming has no residency requirement for LLC members or managers. You only need a Wyoming-based registered agent (commercial RA service is the standard answer). Note: if you do business in another state, that state will likely require you to register your Wyoming LLC as a foreign LLC and pay its fees too — eliminating the Wyoming tax savings for many use cases.
Is Wyoming a good state to form an LLC?
For asset-protection holding companies, anonymous LLCs (off the public state record), or Wyoming residents: yes — Wyoming is one of the strongest jurisdictions in the U.S. For solo founders who actually do business in another state, the foreign-LLC qualification fees in your home state usually wipe out the Wyoming tax savings. Form in Wyoming when you have a specific reason (asset protection, holding structure, anonymity from public records); form in your home state for everyday operating businesses.