Is it cheaper to form an LLC in Georgia or Wisconsin?

Georgia is cheaper at formation ($100) than Wisconsin ($130). Ongoing costs are also different: $150 vs $125 per year. Total over three years: $550 vs $505.

Can I form an LLC in Georgia if I live in Wisconsin?

Yes, but your Wisconsin business will almost certainly need to register as a foreign LLC in Wisconsin too, which means paying Wisconsin's foreign registration fee and any ongoing Wisconsin obligations on top of the Georgia ones. The "form elsewhere to save" math usually doesn't work for operating businesses; it only works when you have no physical operations tied to any specific state.

How long does it take to form an LLC in Georgia vs Wisconsin?

Georgia online: 7 business days; Wisconsin online: 1 business day. Georgia offers paid expedite from $100. Wisconsin offers paid expedite from $25.

Which state has lower taxes for an LLC, Georgia or Wisconsin?

Georgia: state income tax applies to member-level pass-through income, no entity-level franchise or LLC tax. Wisconsin: state income tax applies to member-level pass-through income, no entity-level franchise or LLC tax.

Do both states require a registered agent?

Yes. Every US state (and DC) requires every LLC to maintain a registered agent with a physical street address in the state. Georgia and Wisconsin both have this requirement. You can serve as your own agent if you live in the state; most out-of-state filers use a commercial agent for $50 to $125 per year.

Which state should I pick if I run an online business from home?

Form in the state you actually live in. Your home state's Department of Revenue treats your residence as nexus regardless of where the LLC is filed, which means you owe state income tax there anyway. Forming in Georgia or Wisconsin to escape your home state's tax doesn't work; it adds paperwork. The non-resident filings make sense when you genuinely operate nowhere in particular: international founders, purely passive holding entities, or real-estate LLCs owning property in other states.

Georgia vs Wisconsin LLC comparison

Georgia charges $100 to form an LLC; Wisconsin charges $130. Day-one sticker price is only part of the story, since most of the real cost comes from the annual obligations that stack up each year you keep the LLC open.

Over a rolling three-year window, Wisconsin runs about $45 less in total state fees than Georgia. Whether that gap matters depends on whether you actually operate in one of these states or are weighing a non-resident filing.

On speed, Wisconsin typically clears standard online filings faster than Georgia. Both states offer expedited tiers at an additional cost for filers on tight timelines.

For most small operators the choice is not really between these two states at all. It is between forming where the business actually operates and trying to route through a non-resident filing. The data below shows what each option actually costs.

Formation filing fee

Georgia $100

Wisconsin $130

Georgia saves $30

Year 1 total estimate

Georgia $250

Wisconsin $255

Georgia saves $5

Ongoing per year

Georgia $150

Wisconsin $125

Wisconsin saves $25

3-year total

Georgia $550

Wisconsin $505

Wisconsin saves $45

Key differences at a glance

Georgia costs $30 less to form ($100 vs $130).
Wisconsin is $25 per year cheaper to maintain ($125 vs $150).

Where each state fits

For most filers, forming in the state you actually operate from is the right call. The side-by-side below shows where the two states meaningfully diverge.

Three-year cost, side by side

Rough estimate of the state-facing cost to form and keep an LLC through three years. Both totals include a $100 per year registered-agent estimate.

Georgia Wisconsin

Year 1

$250

$255

Year 2

$400

$380

Year 3

$550

$505

Running total includes the one-time filing fee and annual ongoing costs (report fee or franchise tax plus a $100/year registered agent estimate).

What it costs under your specific situation

The table below runs the same LLC through four common scenarios. "Non-resident" rows assume a typical home-state foreign LLC registration adds about $200 per year of stacked cost; the real number depends on which state you live in and ranges from $50 to over $800 depending on jurisdiction.

Scenario	Year 1	Each year after	3-year total
You live in Georgia, business operates there No foreign LLC registration needed. You pay Georgia fees only.	$250	$150	$550
You live in Wisconsin, business operates there No foreign LLC registration needed. You pay Wisconsin fees only.	$255	$125	$505
Non-resident forming in Georgia with operations elsewhere You pay Georgia's fees plus a typical home-state foreign LLC registration of about $200 per year.	$450	$350	$1,150
Non-resident forming in Wisconsin with operations elsewhere You pay Wisconsin's fees plus a typical home-state foreign LLC registration of about $200 per year.	$455	$325	$1,105

Georgia vs Wisconsin: full comparison

Dimension	Georgia	Wisconsin
Online filing Can you file the formation document online?	Yes	Yes
Online approval time Standard, non-expedited	7 business days	1 business day
Expedited option Paid fast-track filing	$100	$25
Annual report Required in addition to tax	Required, $50	Required, $25
State-imposed annual tax Franchise, privilege, or LLC tax minimum	None	None
State income tax On pass-through LLC income at member level	Yes	Yes
Publication requirement Newspaper publication after formation	No	No
Operating agreement Required by state statute	Recommended, not required	Recommended, not required
Foreign LLC fee Cost to register as a foreign LLC in this state	$225	$100
State sales tax General statewide rate	4.0%	5.0%

Taxes in Georgia and Wisconsin

How each state handles entity-level tax on LLCs. Pass-through classification means member-level income tax also applies at each member's residence state.

Georgia tax

No entity-level franchise tax on LLCs. State income tax applies to member-level pass-through income. Corporate rate 5.2%.

Wisconsin tax

No entity-level franchise tax on LLCs. State income tax applies to member-level pass-through income. Corporate rate 7.9%.

Ongoing compliance

The recurring filings each state requires after formation.

Georgia

Annual report $50, due 04/01 each year. Registered agent required in Georgia.

Wisconsin

Annual report $25, due on your anniversary month. Registered agent required in Wisconsin.

Formation process, side by side

What actually happens from the moment you start filing to the moment you're in good standing. Use this as a checklist.

Georgia

Check business-name availability on the Georgia entity search.
Appoint a registered agent with a physical Georgia street address.
File Articles of Organization for LLC (CD 030) for $100.
Wait for approval. Online typically 7 business days. Paid expedite from $100.
Adopt an operating agreement (recommended, not required by Georgia statute).
Apply for a federal EIN (free from the IRS).
Open a business bank account to separate personal and business finances.
File your first annual report and pay $50 when it comes due.

Wisconsin

Check business-name availability on the Wisconsin entity search.
Appoint a registered agent with a physical Wisconsin street address.
File Articles of Organization, Limited Liability Company (Form DFI/CORP/502) for $130.
Wait for approval. Online typically 1 business days. Paid expedite from $25.
Adopt an operating agreement (recommended, not required by Wisconsin statute).
Apply for a federal EIN (free from the IRS).
Open a business bank account to separate personal and business finances.
File your first annual report and pay $25 when it comes due.

Before you pick either state

A few things that apply no matter which state you choose. These trip up enough first-time filers that they're worth stating explicitly.

Registered agent is non-negotiable. Both Georgia and Wisconsin (and every other US state) require every LLC to designate a registered agent with a physical street address in the state of formation. You can serve as your own agent if you live in the state; otherwise a commercial agent runs $50 to $125 per year. Using your own home address makes it part of the public record.

Forming elsewhere does not escape your home state's tax. If you live and operate a business from your home state, forming the LLC in Georgia or Wisconsin does not avoid your home state's income tax. The moment you transact business at home, your home state requires a foreign LLC registration, and state tax liability follows your residence regardless of where the entity sits on paper.

EIN applications are free. The IRS issues Employer Identification Numbers directly at no cost. Any service charging you to "get your EIN" is reselling a free form submission. Single-member LLCs with no employees technically don't need one for federal tax, but nearly every bank requires an EIN to open a business account.

Operating agreement matters more than the state you pick. A well-drafted operating agreement governs member ownership, management, profit splits, buy-sell terms, and dissolution. Without one, your LLC runs on the state's default rules, which are rarely what you want. California, Maine, Missouri, and New York require a written one by statute; every other state treats it as strongly recommended.

Agency contacts

Georgia Secretary of State, Corporations Division

Website: sos.ga.gov
Phone: (404) 656-2817
Mail: 2 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. SE, Suite 313 West Tower, Atlanta, GA 30334
Office: 214 State Capitol, Atlanta, GA 30334
Hours: 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM Eastern, Monday to Friday

Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions, Division of Corporate and Consumer Services

Website: dfi.wi.gov/Pages/BusinessServices/BusinessEntities/Default.aspx
Phone: (608) 261-7577
Email: DFICorporations@dfi.wisconsin.gov
Mail: Department of Financial Institutions, Division of Corporate and Consumer Services, P.O. Box 93348, Milwaukee, WI 53293-0348
Office: 4822 Madison Yards Way, North Tower, Madison, WI 53705
Hours: 7:45 AM to 4:30 PM Central, Monday to Friday

Georgia Department of Revenue

Website: dor.georgia.gov
Phone: (877) 423-6711
Mail: 1800 Century Boulevard NE, Atlanta, GA 30345
Hours: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Eastern, Monday to Friday

Wisconsin Department of Revenue

Website: www.revenue.wi.gov
Phone: (608) 266-2776
Mail: Wisconsin Department of Revenue, P.O. Box 268, Madison, WI 53790-0001
Office: 2135 Rimrock Road, Madison, WI 53713
Hours: 7:45 AM to 4:30 PM Central, Monday to Friday

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it cheaper to form an LLC in Georgia or Wisconsin?

Georgia is cheaper at formation ($100) than Wisconsin ($130). Ongoing costs are also different: $150 vs $125 per year. Total over three years: $550 vs $505.
Can I form an LLC in Georgia if I live in Wisconsin?

Yes, but your Wisconsin business will almost certainly need to register as a foreign LLC in Wisconsin too, which means paying Wisconsin's foreign registration fee and any ongoing Wisconsin obligations on top of the Georgia ones. The "form elsewhere to save" math usually doesn't work for operating businesses; it only works when you have no physical operations tied to any specific state.
How long does it take to form an LLC in Georgia vs Wisconsin?

Georgia online: 7 business days; Wisconsin online: 1 business day. Georgia offers paid expedite from $100. Wisconsin offers paid expedite from $25.
Which state has lower taxes for an LLC, Georgia or Wisconsin?

Georgia: state income tax applies to member-level pass-through income, no entity-level franchise or LLC tax. Wisconsin: state income tax applies to member-level pass-through income, no entity-level franchise or LLC tax.
Do both states require a registered agent?

Yes. Every US state (and DC) requires every LLC to maintain a registered agent with a physical street address in the state. Georgia and Wisconsin both have this requirement. You can serve as your own agent if you live in the state; most out-of-state filers use a commercial agent for $50 to $125 per year.
Which state should I pick if I run an online business from home?

Form in the state you actually live in. Your home state's Department of Revenue treats your residence as nexus regardless of where the LLC is filed, which means you owe state income tax there anyway. Forming in Georgia or Wisconsin to escape your home state's tax doesn't work; it adds paperwork. The non-resident filings make sense when you genuinely operate nowhere in particular: international founders, purely passive holding entities, or real-estate LLCs owning property in other states.

Full state guides

GeorgiaOpen Georgia LLC guide →
WisconsinOpen Wisconsin LLC guide →

More Georgia and Wisconsin comparisons

More Georgia vs ...

More Wisconsin vs ...

Sources

Filing fee: sos.ga.gov/sites/default/files/forms/Reference%20-%20Filing%20Fees_0.p… · verified April 21, 2026
Georgia Secretary of State Corporations Division Filing Fees reference (Rev. 8/2025, effective September 6, 2025). Domestic LLC Articles of Organization filing fee is $100 (online) or $110 by mail ($100 filing + $10 paper service charge). Online filing through ecorp.sos.ga.gov includes only the $100 base fee.
Expedited filing: sos.ga.gov/how-to-guide/filing-fees-and-expedited-processing-document-… · verified April 21, 2026
Georgia SOS expedited service ladder: 2 business days = $100 additional; same business day (submitted before noon) = $250 additional; 1-hour = $1,000 additional. Online filings generally process within 5-10 business days without expedite. We report the 2-business-day tier ($100 / 48 hours) as the cheapest expedited option.
Annual report fee: sos.ga.gov/how-to-guide/how-file-annual-registration · verified April 21, 2026
Georgia annual registration for LLCs: $50 base filing fee plus $10 service charge ($60 total per year) under the fee schedule revised August 2025 and applicable September 6, 2025. Due between January 1 and April 1 each year following the year of formation. O.C.G.A. §14-11-1103.
Franchise tax: dor.georgia.gov/net-worth-tax-corporations-faq · verified April 21, 2026
Georgia Department of Revenue net worth tax FAQ. Net worth tax applies to C and S corporations and LLCs taxed as corporations. Pass-through LLCs (single-member disregarded entities and partnership-taxed LLCs) are not subject. Therefore Georgia has no franchise/net-worth tax on a default-classified LLC.
Operating agreement requirement: law.justia.com/codes/georgia/title-14/chapter-11/article-1/section-14-… · verified April 21, 2026
O.C.G.A. §14-11-101 defines 'operating agreement' as any agreement, written or oral, of the members. No statute requires a written or filed operating agreement. Justia mirror used because sos.ga.gov is behind Cloudflare WAF; confirm language at the official source when possible.
Foreign LLC registration fee: sos.ga.gov/sites/default/files/forms/Application%20-%20Certificate%20o… · verified April 21, 2026
Georgia SOS Form CD-241 Application for Certificate of Authority for Foreign LLC. Filing fee $225 online; $235 by mail (includes $10 paper service charge). Rev. 8/2025 fee schedule.
Publication requirement: sos.ga.gov/sites/default/files/forms/Filing%20Procedure%20-%20Limited%… · verified April 21, 2026
Georgia's LLC formation filing procedure does not require newspaper publication. Publication notices are a Georgia corporation-only requirement (O.C.G.A. §14-2-201.1); the LLC Act has no parallel provision.
Business name search: ecorp.sos.ga.gov/BusinessSearch · verified April 21, 2026
Georgia eCorp business entity search. Confirm name availability before filing CD 030.
Sales tax rate: dor.georgia.gov/sales-tax-rates-general · verified April 21, 2026
Georgia Department of Revenue Sales Tax Rates – General page. Statewide rate is 4%; county and local add-ons bring combined rates to 6-9% depending on jurisdiction. General Rate Chart effective January 1, 2026 – March 31, 2026.
Corporate income tax rate: dor.georgia.gov/taxes/important-tax-updates · verified April 21, 2026
HB 111 (signed April 15, 2025) reduced Georgia's corporate income tax rate from 5.39% to 5.19% effective for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2025. Applies to C-corp income (not default-classified LLCs). Further reductions toward 4.99% are scheduled subject to annual revenue triggers.
Filing fee: dfi.wi.gov/Pages/BusinessServices/BusinessEntities/Fees.aspx · verified April 21, 2026
Wisconsin DFI Corporation Fee Schedule: Articles of Organization $170 paper, $130 online. Online fee recorded as the default filingFee. Authority: Wis. Stat. 183.0114.
Expedited filing: dfi.wi.gov/Pages/BusinessServices/BusinessEntities/Fees.aspx · verified April 21, 2026
Wisconsin DFI expedited service: $25 for next business day processing (paper filings), $250 for 4-hour in-person, $500 for 1-hour in-person. Online filings are typically processed within one business day without extra expedite fee; $25 next-day tier recorded.
Annual report fee: dfi.wi.gov/Pages/BusinessServices/BusinessEntities/Fees.aspx · verified April 21, 2026
Wisconsin domestic LLC annual report: $25 online, $40 by mail. Foreign LLC annual report: $65 online, $80 by mail. Online fee recorded. Authority: Wis. Stat. 183.0212 (2023 WULLCL) for reporting requirement, DFI fee schedule for fee amounts.
Franchise tax: www.revenue.wi.gov/Pages/FAQS/ise-crpginfo.aspx · verified April 21, 2026
Wisconsin DOR Corporation Income/Franchise Tax FAQ: corporations and LLCs treated as corporations pay franchise or income tax at 7.9%. Standard LLCs (partnerships or disregarded entities) are not subject to the entity-level franchise tax. There is no flat minimum LLC tax in Wisconsin.
Corporate income tax rate: www.revenue.wi.gov/Pages/FAQS/ise-crpginfo.aspx · verified April 21, 2026
Wisconsin corporate franchise/income tax rate is a flat 7.9% under Wis. Stat. 71.27. Applies to C corps and LLCs taxed as C corps.
Sales tax rate: www.revenue.wi.gov/Pages/FAQS/pcs-taxrates.aspx · verified April 21, 2026
Wisconsin statewide sales and use tax is 5%. County tax adds 0.5% in most counties; premier resort area taxes apply in a few localities. Statewide base rate recorded here.
Foreign LLC registration fee: dfi.wi.gov/Pages/BusinessServices/BusinessEntities/Fees.aspx · verified April 21, 2026
Wisconsin DFI fee schedule: Foreign LLC Application for Certificate of Registration $100. Authority: Wis. Stat. 183.1002.
Operating agreement requirement: docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes/183/i/0105 · verified April 21, 2026
Wis. Stat. 183.0105 (Wisconsin Uniform Limited Liability Company Law, effective Jan. 1, 2023): operating agreement may be oral, written, implied, or a combination. Not required for LLC validity. Default statutory rules under Chapter 183 apply when no operating agreement is adopted.
Publication requirement: docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes/183 · verified April 21, 2026
Wisconsin Chapter 183 contains no publication or newspaper notice requirement for LLC formation.
Business name search: www.wdfi.org/apps/CorpSearch/Search.aspx · verified April 21, 2026
Wisconsin DFI CorpSearch. Used to confirm name availability before filing Form 502.

Legal Disclaimer: FreeNetLaw provides general legal information, not legal advice. The information on this site is not a substitute for consultation with a licensed attorney. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify information with official sources and consult a qualified attorney for advice about your specific situation.