How to Incorporate a Business in Wyoming
Bizee helps entrepreneurs incorporate in Wyoming — file Articles of Incorporation, get a registered agent, and obtain an EIN. Start for $0 + state fee.
Bizee Editorial Staff
Editorial Team
Wyoming at a glance
Filing fee: $100 (Articles of Incorporation, online); $102 (online convenience fee may apply)
Processing time: Typically 3–5 business days for standard filing; expedited options available
State agency: Wyoming Secretary of State, Business Division
Annual report due: Annual license tax due on the first day of the anniversary month of formation
State tax rate: No state corporate income tax; no personal income tax
How to incorporate a business in Wyoming
To incorporate a business in Wyoming, you file Articles of Incorporation with the Wyoming Secretary of State, appoint a registered agent with a Wyoming address, and pay the state filing fee. Wyoming requires no state corporate income tax and no personal income tax, which makes it one of the more tax-friendly states for corporations.
Why incorporate in Wyoming
Wyoming consistently ranks among the most business-friendly states in the country. The Tax Foundation has placed Wyoming at or near the top of its annual State Business Tax Climate Index for years, largely because Wyoming levies no state corporate income tax and no personal income tax. That combination is rare and genuinely useful for business owners who want to keep more of what they earn.
Beyond taxes, Wyoming offers strong asset protection laws, low annual fees, and a straightforward formation process. The state also allows corporations to issue stock without par value, which gives founders more flexibility in how they structure ownership. Wyoming doesn't require shareholders or directors to be residents, so you can incorporate here even if your business operates elsewhere.
One thing worth knowing: Wyoming's annual license tax is based on the value of assets located in Wyoming, with a minimum of $60 per year. It's not a heavy burden for most businesses, but it's a real ongoing cost to plan for.
Wyoming corporation types
Wyoming recognizes several corporation types. The right one depends on how you plan to be taxed, who your shareholders are, and what your business does.
C Corporation: the default corporation structure. Taxed at the corporate level, with shareholders also taxed on dividends. No limit on the number or type of shareholders. Best for businesses planning to raise outside investment or issue multiple classes of stock.
S Corporation: a federal tax election, not a separate state entity type. An S Corp passes income and losses through to shareholders, avoiding double taxation. Wyoming corporations can elect S Corp status with the IRS if they meet eligibility requirements — no more than 100 shareholders, all of whom must be U.S. citizens or residents.
Professional Corporation (PC): for licensed professionals like doctors, attorneys, and accountants. Wyoming requires that all shareholders hold the relevant professional license.
Nonprofit Corporation: for organizations formed for charitable, educational, or religious purposes. Nonprofits can apply for federal tax-exempt status under IRS Section 501(c)(3) after forming with the state.
How to incorporate in Wyoming
The formation process has 6 core steps. Each one has a specific requirement — skipping or rushing any of them can create problems later when you're trying to open a bank account, hire employees, or sign contracts.
Annual requirements and maintenance
Wyoming corporations don't file a traditional annual report, but they do pay an annual license tax. The tax is due on the first day of the anniversary month of your formation date each year. The minimum is $60, and the amount scales based on the value of assets located in Wyoming. If your assets in Wyoming are under $250,000, you pay the $60 minimum.
Plus, you'll need to keep your registered agent current, maintain your corporate records and meeting minutes, and file any required federal and state tax returns. If you elected S Corporation status with the IRS, you'll file Form 1120-S annually. C Corporations file Form 1120. A tax professional can help you figure out which filings apply to your situation and when they're due.
FAQ
To incorporate in Wyoming, choose a corporation name that's distinguishable from existing businesses, appoint a registered agent with a Wyoming address, and file Articles of Incorporation with the Wyoming Secretary of State. The state filing fee is $100 online. After filing, get an EIN from the IRS, adopt bylaws, hold an organizational meeting, and open a business bank account.
S Corp is a federal tax election, not a separate entity type in Wyoming. First, form a standard Wyoming corporation by filing Articles of Incorporation with the Secretary of State. Then file IRS Form 2553 to elect S Corporation tax treatment. Your corporation must meet IRS eligibility requirements — no more than 100 shareholders, all of whom must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents. A tax professional can help you figure out whether S Corp status makes sense for your situation.
A Wyoming C Corporation is the default corporation structure formed under Wyoming law. It's taxed at the corporate level, and shareholders also pay tax on any dividends they receive — that's the double taxation trade-off. C Corps have no limit on the number or type of shareholders, which makes them the preferred structure for businesses planning to raise venture capital or issue multiple classes of stock.
Wyoming Articles of Incorporation need to include your corporation's name, the number of authorized shares, the registered agent's name and Wyoming street address, and the incorporator's name and signature. You file the document with the Wyoming Secretary of State, Business Division. The filing fee is $100 for online submissions. Standard processing takes 3–5 business days.
Wyoming has no state corporate income tax and no personal income tax, which makes it one of the most tax-friendly states for corporations. The state also has strong asset protection laws, low annual fees (minimum $60 annual license tax), and no residency requirement for shareholders or directors. Entrepreneurs who want a business-friendly environment without heavy ongoing costs often choose Wyoming for those reasons.
Yes. Wyoming doesn't require shareholders, directors, or officers to be Wyoming residents. You can incorporate in Wyoming regardless of where you live or where your business operates. You do need a registered agent with a physical Wyoming address — that's the one in-state requirement you can't skip. A registered agent service handles that if you don't have a Wyoming address of your own.
Wyoming doesn't use the term "annual report" — instead, corporations pay an annual license tax. The minimum is $60 per year, due on the first day of your corporation's anniversary month. The amount scales based on the value of assets located in Wyoming. If your Wyoming assets are under $250,000, you pay the $60 minimum. Not paying on time can put your corporation's good standing at risk.
Yes. Every corporation needs an Employer Identification Number (EIN) — it's a federal tax ID issued by the IRS. You'll use it to file taxes, open a business bank account, and hire employees. Apply online at irs.gov/ein. The application is free and the IRS issues your EIN immediately upon approval. The online application is available Monday through Friday, 7 AM – 10 PM ET.
