Taxes and Fees for Your Wyoming Corporation
Wyoming has no corporate income tax and no franchise tax — making it one of the most tax-friendly states for corporations. Here's a full breakdown of the fees and taxes you'll encounter when forming and running a Wyoming corporation.
Bizee Editorial Staff
Editorial Team
Wyoming corporation at a glance
Filing fee: $100 (Articles of Incorporation, online filing)
Processing time: Standard: 5–10 business days. Expedited: 1–2 business days (additional fee applies).
State agency: Wyoming Secretary of State
Annual report due: On or before the first day of the anniversary month of formation. Fee is based on assets located in Wyoming (minimum $60).
State tax rate: No state corporate income tax. No franchise tax.
Wyoming corporate tax overview
Wyoming doesn't impose a state corporate income tax or a franchise tax on corporations — which puts it among the most tax-friendly states in the country for business formation. You'll still pay federal taxes and a handful of state filing fees, but the absence of a state-level corporate tax is a real advantage that catches many founders off guard in the best way.
The costs you will encounter fall into two categories: one-time formation fees when you file your Articles of Incorporation, and recurring fees for your annual report and any required licenses or permits. Your federal tax obligations depend on whether you form a C Corporation or elect S Corporation status.
Formation fees and filing costs
To form a corporation in Wyoming, you file Articles of Incorporation with the Wyoming Secretary of State and pay the state filing fee. The standard fee for online filing is $100. If you need your filing processed faster, expedited processing is available for an additional fee — turnaround drops to 1–2 business days compared to the standard 5–10 business days.
Wyoming also requires corporations to have a registered agent with a physical address in the state. If you don't already have one, that's an additional cost to factor in before you file.
Articles of Incorporation filing fee: $100 (online)
Expedited processing: additional fee, 1–2 business day turnaround
Registered agent: required — fee varies by provider
Annual report and ongoing fees
Wyoming corporations must file an annual report with the Secretary of State to stay in good standing. The fee is calculated based on the value of assets your corporation holds in Wyoming, with a minimum fee of $60. The report is due on or before the first day of the anniversary month of your corporation's formation — not a fixed calendar date, so the deadline shifts based on when you filed.
Missing the annual report deadline can put your corporation out of good standing with the state, which can affect your ability to open bank accounts, sign contracts, or do business in other states. Filing on time is the simplest way to keep your corporation active.
Annual report fee: minimum $60, based on Wyoming-located assets
Due date: on or before the first day of your corporation's anniversary month
Filed with: Wyoming Secretary of State
Taxes for C Corporations
A C Corporation in Wyoming pays no state corporate income tax — Wyoming doesn't have one. At the federal level, C Corporations file their own tax return (Form 1120) and pay federal corporate income tax on profits. The current federal corporate tax rate is 21%.
C Corporations are also subject to double taxation at the federal level: the corporation pays tax on profits, and shareholders pay tax again on any dividends they receive. This is a trade-off worth discussing with a tax professional before you choose your entity structure.
Wyoming state corporate income tax: none
Wyoming franchise tax: none
Federal corporate income tax: 21% (Form 1120)
Shareholder dividends: taxed at the individual level (federal)
Taxes for S Corporations
An S Corporation is a pass-through entity for federal tax purposes — the corporation itself doesn't pay federal income tax. Instead, profits and losses flow through to shareholders' personal tax returns and are taxed at individual rates. Wyoming has no state income tax on individuals either, which makes the S Corp structure particularly clean from a state tax perspective.
S Corp shareholders who work in the business must pay themselves a reasonable salary as a W-2 employee. That salary is subject to federal payroll taxes — Social Security and Medicare (FICA). Distributions above the salary amount are not subject to self-employment tax, which is one of the main reasons business owners elect S Corp status. A tax professional can help you figure out what a reasonable salary looks like for your situation.
Wyoming state income tax on S Corp income: none
Federal income tax: pass-through to shareholders' personal returns
Shareholder-employees: must receive a reasonable W-2 salary
FICA (Social Security and Medicare): applies to salary, not distributions
S Corp election filed with: IRS Form 2553
Licenses, permits, and other costs
Depending on your industry and where your business operates, you may need state or local business licenses and permits. Wyoming doesn't have a general statewide business license, but specific industries — things like contractors, food service, healthcare, and financial services — have their own licensing requirements through the relevant state agencies.
Local municipalities may also require a business license or permit to operate within city or county limits. Fees vary by location and business type. Check with your local city or county clerk's office to figure out what applies to your business.
No general statewide business license required in Wyoming
Industry-specific licenses: vary by type (contractor, food service, healthcare, etc.)
Local business licenses: check with your city or county clerk
Renewal fees: vary by license type and location
Frequently asked questions
No. Wyoming doesn't impose a state corporate income tax on corporations. There's also no franchise tax. Wyoming corporations pay federal income tax but owe nothing to the state on corporate profits — which is one of the main reasons entrepreneurs choose Wyoming for incorporation.
Wyoming has no state corporate tax rate — the rate is 0%. The state doesn't tax corporate income or impose a franchise tax. Wyoming corporations are subject to the federal corporate income tax rate of 21% on profits, but nothing additional at the state level.
Generally, no. Wyoming doesn't have a state income tax, so S Corporations don't file a state corporate income tax return in Wyoming. At the federal level, the S Corp files Form 1120-S, and income passes through to shareholders' personal federal returns. A tax professional can confirm whether any other state-level filings apply to your specific situation.
No. Wyoming doesn't impose a franchise tax on corporations. Some states charge a franchise tax just for the privilege of doing business there — Wyoming is not one of them. The only recurring state fee for Wyoming corporations is the annual report fee, which starts at a minimum of $60.
The minimum annual report fee for a Wyoming corporation is $60. The actual fee is based on the value of assets your corporation holds in Wyoming — so businesses with more Wyoming-located assets pay more. The report is due on or before the first day of your corporation's anniversary month each year, filed with the Wyoming Secretary of State.
It depends on your corporation type. C Corporations pay federal corporate income tax at 21% and file Form 1120. S Corporations are pass-through entities — shareholders pay federal income tax on their share of profits at individual rates. Neither type pays Wyoming state corporate income tax or franchise tax. Both types pay the annual report fee and any applicable license or permit fees.
The Wyoming Secretary of State charges $100 to file Articles of Incorporation online. Expedited processing costs more and cuts turnaround to 1–2 business days. You'll also need a registered agent with a Wyoming address — that's an additional cost depending on the provider you choose. After formation, plan for the annual report fee of at least $60 per year.
