How do I get a business license?

Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions - DFI (entity formation) / Wisconsin Department of Revenue (tax registration) / Local municipality (local licenses - if applicable)

Step by Step

How to do it

Determine your business structure: sole proprietor, LLC, corporation, partnership
Register your business entity with the Wisconsin DFI (for LLCs, corporations, and LPs) - file online at wdfi.org or through the Wisconsin One Stop Business Portal at business.wi.gov; Wisconsin offers online filing
Obtain an EIN from the IRS at irs.gov
Register with the Wisconsin Department of Revenue for applicable state taxes at revenue.wi.gov:
- Wisconsin Sales Tax Permit (if selling taxable goods/services in Wisconsin): required; apply through My Tax Account (MTA) at tap.revenue.wi.gov or via Wisconsin One Stop Business Portal
- Wisconsin Withholding Tax Account (if hiring employees)
- Other applicable WI taxes (corporate income tax, individual income tax for pass-throughs)
Register through My Tax Account (MTA) at tap.revenue.wi.gov or through business.wi.gov (One Stop)
LOCAL BUSINESS LICENSE: Many Wisconsin municipalities require local business licenses or occupational permits; Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay, Racine, Kenosha, and other WI cities have local licensing requirements; contact your specific city or village
Check for industry-specific state licenses: contractors (Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services - DSPS; dsps.wi.gov); healthcare professionals, real estate, cosmetologists, engineers, architects through DSPS; alcohol/beverage licenses through the Wisconsin Department of Revenue
Renew entity annual report with WI DFI; renew local licenses; renew professional licenses per DSPS schedule

Details

What you need to know

Required Docs

Business name and type of activity
Wisconsin business address and registered agent in Wisconsin
Entity formation documents
EIN or SSN
Industry-specific certifications

Fee

LLC formation: $130 (online); corporation: $100 (online); ANNUAL REPORT: NO ANNUAL REPORT FEE FOR LLCs IN WISCONSIN - Wisconsin LLCs do not pay an annual report fee; corporations pay $25 annually; Sales Tax Permit: free; local license: varies RENEWAL: LLC: Annual report required but NO FEE (LLCs file annual report - no fee!); corporations: $25/year; local license: annually; professional licenses: per DSPS board ONLINE OPTION: Yes - wdfi.org or business.wi.gov (entity formation and annual reports); tap.revenue.wi.gov (tax registration) WHERE TO GO: WI DFI (entity formation); WI DOR (tax registration); City Hall (local license); WI DSPS (professional/contractor licenses)

Online Option

Yes - wdfi.org or business.wi.gov (entity formation and annual reports); tap.revenue.wi.gov (tax registration)

Where to Go

WI DFI (entity formation); WI DOR (tax registration); City Hall (local license); WI DSPS (professional/contractor licenses)

County-specific variations apply

Wisconsin municipalities independently administer local business licensing. Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay, Racine, and Kenosha have significant local business licensing requirements. Milwaukee requires a city business license. Madison requires a business registration. Most smaller Wisconsin cities and towns have minimal or no local business licensing requirements.

Wisconsin Notes

Important state-specific details

WISCONSIN LLCs PAY NO ANNUAL REPORT FEE - this is exceptional nationally; LLCs file an annual report (required) but NO FEE is charged; corporations pay $25.
LLC FORMATION: $130 - moderate nationally.
WISCONSIN ONE STOP BUSINESS PORTAL (business.wi.gov): Wisconsin's excellent integrated portal for business registration, tax registration, and licensing in one place.
WISCONSIN INCOME TAX: Graduated rates from 3.5% to 7.65% for individuals; 7.9% for corporations; applies to pass-through income.
WISCONSIN SALES TAX: 5% state rate; many Wisconsin counties add 0.5% county sales tax; combined rates typically 5.5%.
DSPS (Department of Safety and Professional Services): handles most Wisconsin contractor, professional, and occupational licenses; dsps.wi.gov; contractor registration required for most construction work.

Official Source

State office contact

State Office

WI Department of Financial Institutions - wdfi.org | (608) 261-9555; WI DOR (taxes) - revenue.wi.gov | tap.revenue.wi.gov | (608) 266-2772; WI One Stop: business.wi.gov; WI DSPS - dsps.wi.gov | (608) 266-2112