The cost to form an LLC for a Madison business starts with the $130 Wisconsin filing fee. Add annual fees, a registered agent, and local Madison business taxes below.
Last updated: May 2026 · Data: MIT Living Wage Calculator, C2ER, U.S. Census, BLS, IRS, state and city sources
Wisconsin charges a $130 filing fee to form an LLC and a $25 annual report each year. Wisconsin has four income tax brackets with a top rate of 7.65%. The state offers significant retirement income exclusions and does not tax Social Security benefits.
| Cost Item | Amount | When Due |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Filing Fee | $130 | One-time at formation |
| Annual report | $25 | Annually |
| Registered Agent Service | $49 to $300/year | Annually |
| Local Madison Business License / Tax | Varies by industry | Annually |
| Operating Agreement | $0 to $500 | One-time (recommended) |
| EIN (Federal Tax ID) | Free | One-time (IRS.gov) |
Wisconsin does not levy a local business income tax. Plan for the Wisconsin LLC annual report fee and any required Madison business license on top of the state filing fee.
Madison is the capital of Wisconsin and home to the University of Wisconsin, with an economy anchored by state government, higher education and research, healthcare and biotechnology, insurance, and a fast-growing technology sector.
| Local Metric | Madison (2026 estimate) |
|---|---|
| Metro population | 270,000 |
| County / jurisdiction | Dane County |
| Cost of living index (US avg = 100) | 102 |
| MIT living wage, single adult | $21.00/hour |
| MIT living wage, one earner supporting a family of four | $42.50/hour |
| Applicable minimum wage | $7.25/hour |
| Average rent, 1-bedroom | $1,500/month |
| Average rent, 2-bedroom | $1,800/month |
| Median home price | $380,000 |
| Median household income | $72,000/year |
| Combined sales tax rate | 5.5% |
| Effective property tax rate | 1.85% of value/year |
Local figures are 2026 estimates compiled from the MIT Living Wage Calculator, the C2ER Cost of Living Index, U.S. Census and Zillow housing data, and city and county sources. Verify current figures before relying on them.
The LLC filing fee is set by Wisconsin at $130, since LLCs are formed at the state level. Add the $25 annual report (each year), a registered agent (about $49 to $300/year), and any local Madison business license or tax. Wisconsin does not levy a local business income tax. Plan for the Wisconsin LLC annual report fee and any required Madison business license on top of the state filing fee.
Wisconsin does not levy a local business income tax. Plan for the Wisconsin LLC annual report fee and any required Madison business license on top of the state filing fee.
Plan for the $25 annual report, registered agent renewal (about $49/year), and any local Madison business license or tax. The calculator above totals these for you.
LLCs are registered with the Wisconsin Department of Revenue at the state level, not the city. You then comply with local Madison requirements such as a business license, zoning, and any city business tax. There is no separate city-level LLC filing.
If your business actually operates in Madison, forming in Wisconsin is usually simplest. Forming in Delaware or Wyoming while operating in Madison typically forces you to register as a foreign LLC in Wisconsin anyway, paying fees in both states.