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Wyoming · How-To Guide

How do I get a business license?

Wyoming Secretary of State (entity formation) / Wyoming Department of Revenue (tax registration) / Local municipality for local licenses
Step by Step

How to do it

  1. Determine your business structure: sole proprietor, LLC, corporation, partnership
  2. Register your business entity with the Wyoming Secretary of State (for LLCs, corporations, and LPs) - file online at sos.wyo.gov or through the Wyoming Business Center at wyomingbusiness.gov; Wyoming offers online filing; Wyoming is nationally known for its business-friendly LLC laws and strong asset protection
  3. Obtain an EIN from the IRS at irs.gov
  4. Register with the Wyoming Department of Revenue for applicable state taxes at revenue.wyo.gov:
  5. - Wyoming Sales Tax License (if selling taxable goods/services in Wyoming): required; apply at revenue.wyo.gov
  6. - Wyoming Employer Withholding (if hiring employees): required
  7. - NOTE: Wyoming has NO state income tax (individual or corporate) - no income tax registration needed
  8. - Wyoming also has NO corporate income tax
  9. LOCAL BUSINESS LICENSE: Many Wyoming municipalities require local business licenses; Cheyenne, Casper, Laramie, Sheridan, Gillette, Rock Springs, Jackson, Evanston, and other WY cities may require local licenses; contact your specific city
  10. Check for industry-specific state licenses: contractors (Wyoming Contractors Registration - wyo-contractors.wyo.gov; registration required for most construction work $20,000+); healthcare professionals through Wyoming Department of Health or applicable boards; real estate, cosmetologists, engineers through the Wyoming State Board applicable to each profession
  11. Renew entity annual report with WY SOS (due in formation anniversary month); renew local licenses; renew professional licenses per board schedule
Details

What you need to know

Required Docs
  • Business name and type of activity
  • Wyoming business address and registered agent (must have WY registered agent)
  • Entity formation documents
  • EIN or SSN
  • Industry-specific certifications
Fee
LLC formation: $100 (online); corporation: $100 (online); ANNUAL REPORT: $62 (LLC); annual report due each year in the anniversary month of formation (NOT a fixed statewide date - tied to formation month); corporation annual report: $52; Sales Tax License: free; local license: varies; contractor registration: varies RENEWAL: Annual report due in formation month each year; local license: annual per city; professional licenses: per board schedule ONLINE OPTION: Yes - sos.wyo.gov (entity formation and annual reports); revenue.wyo.gov (tax registration); wyomingbusiness.gov WHERE TO GO: WY Secretary of State (entity formation); WY DOR (tax registration); City Hall (local license); applicable state boards (professional licenses)
Online Option
Yes - sos.wyo.gov (entity formation and annual reports); revenue.wyo.gov (tax registration); wyomingbusiness.gov
Where to Go
WY Secretary of State (entity formation); WY DOR (tax registration); City Hall (local license); applicable state boards (professional licenses)
County-specific variations apply

Wyoming municipalities independently administer local business licensing. Cheyenne (Laramie County), Casper (Natrona County), Laramie (Albany County), Sheridan, Gillette (Campbell County), Rock Springs and Green River (Sweetwater County), and Jackson (Teton County) may have local licensing requirements. Most small Wyoming towns and rural areas have minimal local business licensing. Teton County (Jackson Hole area) may have more stringent local requirements due to high tourist activity and land-use regulations.

Wyoming Notes

Important state-specific details

  • NO STATE INCOME TAX: Wyoming has no individual or corporate income tax; major business advantage and reason many businesses incorporate in Wyoming.
  • WYOMING LLC LAWS: Wyoming was the FIRST STATE to create the LLC entity structure (1977); Wyoming LLCs have strong charging order protection and asset protection; popular for holding companies, investments, and businesses seeking privacy.
  • LLC FORMATION: $100 - moderate nationally; $62 annual report.
  • ANNUAL REPORT DUE IN FORMATION ANNIVERSARY MONTH - not a fixed date; set calendar reminder based on when you formed.
  • WYOMING SALES TAX: 4% state rate; some counties and municipalities add local option taxes; combined rates typically 4-6%.
  • WYOMING CONTRACTOR REGISTRATION: Required for most contractors doing $20,000+ in work; wyo-contractors.wyo.gov.
  • Wyoming Business Center (wyomingbusiness.gov): one-stop resource for business information.
Official Source

State office contact

State Office
WY Secretary of State, Business Division - sos.wyo.gov | (307) 777-7311; WY Department of Revenue - revenue.wyo.gov | (307) 777-5200; Wyoming Business Center: wyomingbusiness.gov