Here's what you need in Wisconsin
Official state business portal: Wisconsin One Stop Business Portal. The state's online portal to start a business; one filing registers you with the Department of Financial Institutions, the Department of Revenue and the Department of Workforce Development.
| What you need | Who issues it | Official fee | Links | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General state business licenseWe could not find an official Wisconsin page that states whether a general state business license exists. The One Stop Business Portal says some businesses need state licenses or permits and that local governments may have their own rules. | Wisconsin Department of Revenue | Not yet verifiedCheck with the agency | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Form an LLCArticles of Organization. File Articles of Organization with the Department of Financial Institutions. Filing online costs less than filing on paper. | Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) | $130 online, $170 on paper | Applyat onestop.wi.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Business name (DBA)Tradename or trademark registration. You can register the name of your business with the Department of Financial Institutions. Registration is not required, and it expires after 10 years unless renewed. | Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) | $15 filing fee, good for 10 years | Applyat dfi.wi.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Sales tax permitSeller's Permit (Business Tax Registration). Register online with the Department of Revenue for a seller's permit. One business tax registration fee covers your seller's permit and most other Department of Revenue permits. | Wisconsin Department of Revenue | $20 for two years, then $10 to renew | Applyat tap.revenue.wi.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Unemployment insurance (once you hire)Unemployment Insurance employer registration. Employers register online with the Department of Workforce Development using New Employer Registration. The Handbook for Employers explains which employers are covered. | Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD) | You pay tax on wages | Applyat unemployment.wisconsin.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Federal tax ID (EIN)Employer Identification Number (EIN). You need an EIN if you have employees or pay certain federal taxes, and banks often ask for one. Apply online with the IRS and you get the number in minutes. | Internal Revenue Service (IRS) | Free | Applyat irs.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
Costs after you start
What an LLC in Wisconsin pays or files after it is formed.
| What you need | Who issues it | Official fee | Links | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Report (Form 5)Every Wisconsin LLC files an annual report each year after the year it was formed. It is due by the end of the calendar quarter in which the LLC was formed. | Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions | $25 a year online, $15 more on paper | Applyat dfi.wi.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
Licenses by type of business
State level licenses. Your city or county may add its own permits.
| What you need | Who issues it | Official fee | Links | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hair salon, barber shop or nail salonCosmetology Establishment or Barbering Establishment license. Beauty shops get a Cosmetology Establishment license and barber shops a Barbering Establishment license from DSPS. Both renew every two years, in odd years. | Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) | $11 for a cosmetology establishment, $63 for a barbering establishment | Applyat dsps.wi.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Child care in your homeLicensed Family Child Care. Family child care programs that care for 4 to 8 children are licensed by DCF. You pay for a 6 month probationary license when you apply, then a fee every two years. | Wisconsin Department of Children and Families (DCF) | $15.12 for the first 6 month license, then $60.50 every two years | Applyat dcf.wisconsin.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Selling alcohol (bar or restaurant)Retail alcohol license (for example Class B beer and Class B liquor). Retail alcohol licenses for bars and restaurants are issued by your city, village or town, not by the state. The Department of Revenue explains the state rules. | Your city, village or town (state rules by the Wisconsin Department of Revenue) | Fee not published.Ask the agency | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| General contractorDwelling Contractor credential. Contracting businesses get a Dwelling Contractor credential from DSPS, and the person who qualifies the business holds a separate Dwelling Contractor Qualifier credential. | Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) | $25 credential fee plus $15 application fee | Applyat dsps.wi.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Selling homemade food (cottage food)Homemade baked goods (no license, by court decision). Because of court decisions, home bakers who make baked goods that are not potentially hazardous and sell them directly to consumers do not need a license. The court orders cover only baked goods, and a business that wholesales baked goods must be licensed. | Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) | Not needed | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
What is different in Wisconsin
- At $130, the LLC filing fee is near the middle: 35 of 49 verified states charge less and 13 charge more.
- Contractor licensing in Wisconsin: Contracting businesses get a Dwelling Contractor credential from DSPS, and the person who qualifies the business holds a separate Dwelling Contractor Qualifier credential.
- $11 is the lowest salon or shop license fee of the 36 states where we verified it.
- Annual Report (Form 5): $25 a year online, $15 more on paper. Every Wisconsin LLC files an annual report each year after the year it was formed. It is due by the end of the calendar quarter in which the LLC was formed.
Steps to start a business in Wisconsin
Pick a structure and register it
Sole owners can start under their own name. To form an LLC, file the Articles of Organization with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) ($130).
Get a free EIN
Apply on irs.gov. You need it to hire, and banks usually ask for it. Never pay a website for an EIN.
Register your business name
If you trade under a name that is not your legal name, file a DBA with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (DFI).
Register for sales tax
If you sell taxable goods or services, get your permit from the Wisconsin Department of Revenue before your first sale.
Get a state license for your type of business
Salons, child care, alcohol, building work and home food each have their own state rules. See the table above.
Check city and county permits
Ask about a local business license, zoning, health and building permits before you sign a lease.
Register as an employer when you hire
Open a state unemployment insurance tax account with the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD).
City and county permits
Cities and countys in Wisconsin can require their own business license, zoning approval, health permit or building permit. Rules change from place to place, so ask your city hall and county clerk before you sign a lease. Home businesses often need a home occupation permit.
In the biggest cities, ask these local governments:
- Milwaukee: the city, and Milwaukee County. City of Milwaukee (city.milwaukee.gov)
City rules and fees are not in our guide yet.
Questions about business licenses in Wisconsin
Do I need a business license in Wisconsin?
We have not yet verified this on an official page. Check with the Wisconsin Department of Revenue.
How much is an LLC in Wisconsin?
The Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) charges $130 online, $170 on paper to file the Articles of Organization. File Articles of Organization with the Department of Financial Institutions. Filing online costs less than filing on paper.
How much does an LLC cost per year in Wisconsin?
Annual Report (Form 5): $25 a year online, $15 more on paper. Every Wisconsin LLC files an annual report each year after the year it was formed. It is due by the end of the calendar quarter in which the LLC was formed.
Does an LLC need a business license in Wisconsin?
Yes, if your type of business or your location requires one. Forming an LLC only registers your company with the state; it is not a license. An LLC in Wisconsin still needs any state license for its type of business and any local business license from its city or county.
Do I need a sales tax permit in Wisconsin?
Yes, if you sell taxable goods or services. Register online with the Department of Revenue for a seller's permit. One business tax registration fee covers your seller's permit and most other Department of Revenue permits. Official fee: $20 for two years, then $10 to renew.
How much is a DBA in Wisconsin?
You can register the name of your business with the Department of Financial Institutions. Registration is not required, and it expires after 10 years unless renewed. Official fee: $15 filing fee, good for 10 years.
Can I sell homemade food from home in Wisconsin?
Because of court decisions, home bakers who make baked goods that are not potentially hazardous and sell them directly to consumers do not need a license. The court orders cover only baked goods, and a business that wholesales baked goods must be licensed.
Do contractors need a state license in Wisconsin?
Contracting businesses get a Dwelling Contractor credential from DSPS, and the person who qualifies the business holds a separate Dwelling Contractor Qualifier credential. Official fee: $25 credential fee plus $15 application fee.
Do I need an EIN?
You need an EIN if you have employees or pay certain federal taxes, and banks often ask for one. Apply online with the IRS and you get the number in minutes. It is free: never pay a website for an EIN.
Sources
Every fact on this page comes from an official government page, checked on the date shown. Facts we could not confirm are marked Not yet verified and show no number. How we check.
- General state business license Wisconsin Department of Revenue Not yet verified Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Form an LLC Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Business name (DBA) Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Sales tax permit Wisconsin Department of Revenue Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Unemployment insurance (once you hire) Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD) Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Official business portal State of Wisconsin Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Hair salon, barber shop or nail salon Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Child care in your home Wisconsin Department of Children and Families (DCF) Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Selling alcohol (bar or restaurant) Your city, village or town (state rules by the Wisconsin Department of Revenue) Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Selling homemade food (cottage food) Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Annual Report (Form 5) Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Federal tax ID (EIN) Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Checked Nov 7, 2026