Form Your Wisconsin C Corporation
Incorporate in the Badger State with the structure investors require — issue stock, build a cap table, and raise venture capital, backed by no franchise tax and a low $25 annual report
Filed in Wisconsin
The Badger State · WI
- State filing fee$100
- Processing time~5 business days online; expedite next business day (+$25)
- Our formation feeFree (you pay $100 if you choose a paid plan)
- Annual report$25/year online ($40 by mail) — due End of anniversary calendar quarter
- State tax rate7.9% corporate income tax
- Expedited option24 hours (+$100)
Form your Wisconsin C-Corp — pay only the state filing fee, nothing more.
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Everything to launch your Wisconsin C-Corp
Free formation means you pay only the $100 state filing fee. All core services are included at no extra charge.
Articles of Incorporation filing
We prepare and submit your Articles of Incorporation to the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions.
Registered agent
Required in Wisconsin — we act as your agent for the first year.
EIN from the IRS
Your federal Tax ID — required to open a US business bank account and file taxes.
Corporate bylaws
Professionally drafted corporate bylaws — defines ownership, voting, and profit splits.
Benefits of forming an C-Corp in Wisconsin
Wisconsin pairs a diversified manufacturing, healthcare, and insurance economy with growing startup ecosystems in Madison and Milwaukee and a steady UW-Madison talent pipeline — fertile ground for a C Corporation built to raise outside capital. A C Corp here faces a flat 21% federal corporate income tax plus Wisconsin's 7.9% state corporate income tax, but pays no franchise tax and only a $25 annual report.
The structure venture capitalists and institutional investors require to fund priced rounds
Issue stock and equity to build a cap table, grant options, and bring on co-founders and employees
Perpetual existence — the corporation survives changes in ownership, directors, and officers
Clear separation of ownership and management through a board of directors and bylaws
QSBS / Section 1202 gains may apply to qualifying C-Corp stock, a major exit advantage for founders and early investors
Flat 21% federal corporate income tax rate on retained earnings
No Wisconsin franchise tax and a low $25 annual report fee
Access to Madison and Milwaukee startup ecosystems and UW-Madison talent
Key features of a Wisconsin C-Corp
- Preferred structure for VC and institutional investors
- Issue stock and equity with a board of directors and bylaws
- Perpetual existence independent of ownership changes
- Flat 21% federal corporate income tax; 7.9% Wisconsin corporate tax
- No Wisconsin franchise tax and a low $25 annual report
Major industries in Wisconsin
Form your Wisconsin C-Corp in 6 steps
We handle every step while you stay in the loop. Processing takes ~5 business days online; expedite next business day (+$25).
- 01
Choose Your Corporation Name
Your name must include 'Corporation,' 'Incorporated,' 'Company,' 'Limited,' or an abbreviation such as 'Inc.' or 'Corp.' Check availability through the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions' business search.
- 02
Appoint a Registered Agent and Directors
Wisconsin requires a registered agent with a physical in-state address to accept legal documents. Name at least one director to oversee the corporation.
- 03
File Articles of Incorporation
Submit your Articles of Incorporation to the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions. The filing fee is $100, and online filing typically processes in about 5 business days (next-business-day expedite is available for +$25).
- 04
Adopt Bylaws and Issue Stock
Hold an organizational meeting to adopt corporate bylaws, appoint officers, and authorize and issue shares of stock to your founders. Record share issuances on your cap table.
- 05
Obtain an EIN and Make Tax Elections
Apply for a free EIN from the IRS for banking, hiring, and tax filing. Founders receiving restricted stock should consider filing an 83(b) election with the IRS within 30 days of receipt.
- 06
File Your Annual Report
Wisconsin corporations must file an annual report by the end of the anniversary calendar quarter. The fee is $25 online ($40 by mail).
Wisconsin C-Corp costs at a glance
Kicker formation is free — you pay only the required state fees. No hidden charges.
Wisconsin C-Corp requirements checklist
Everything you need to form and maintain a Wisconsin C-Corp in 2026.
- File Articles of Incorporation with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions ($100)
- Appoint a registered agent with a physical Wisconsin address
- Name at least one director and adopt corporate bylaws
- Authorize and issue stock to shareholders and maintain a cap table
- Obtain an EIN from the IRS
- File an annual report by the end of the anniversary calendar quarter ($25 online, $40 by mail)
- Hold organizational and ongoing board/shareholder meetings with recorded minutes
Filing information
- Formation document
- Articles of Incorporation
- Filing agency
- Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions
- Registered agent
- Required
- Corporate bylaws
- Recommended
- EIN
- Required
- Name reservation fee
- $15 (120 days)
Free formation — pay only the state fee
Kicker formation is free. You pay the $100 Wisconsin state filing fee and nothing more for the Starter plan. Optional plans add registered agent, EIN, corporate bylaws, and compliance.
Starter
- Articles of Incorporation filing
- Name availability check
- Digital document delivery
- Formation status tracking
Booster
- Everything in Starter
- Registered agent (required in Wisconsin)
- EIN / Federal Tax ID
- Expedited processing (1–2 days)
- Corporate bylaws
- Priority support
- Kicker Voice — 3-day free trial
- Kicker Pay — free for 15 days
Founder
- Everything in Booster
- Business mailing address
- Bookkeeping — 3 months free
- Dedicated account manager
- Rush processing
- Kicker Voice — 6-day free trial
- Kicker Pay — free for 30 days
Kicker
- Everything in Founder
- ITIN filing & preparation
- Same-day priority processing
- 2nd year annual filing $0
- Kicker Voice 12-day + Kicker Pay 60 days free
Compare all plans on our pricing page.
Wisconsin C-Corp questions, answered
Common questions about forming an C-Corp in Wisconsin. Can't find an answer? Talk to our team.
How much does it cost to incorporate a C Corp in Wisconsin?
The state filing fee for Articles of Incorporation is $100, filed with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions. The annual report is $25 online ($40 by mail). Our service fee is added on top of the state fee.
How long does it take to form a Wisconsin C Corporation?
Online filings with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions typically process in about 5 business days. Next-business-day expedited processing is available for an additional $25.
How is a C Corporation taxed?
A C Corp pays a flat 21% federal corporate income tax on its profits, plus Wisconsin's 7.9% state corporate income tax. Dividends paid to shareholders are then taxed again on their personal returns — the so-called 'double taxation' that distinguishes a C Corp from a pass-through entity.
Why choose a C Corporation over an LLC in Wisconsin?
Venture capitalists and institutional investors almost always require a C Corp because it can issue preferred stock, maintain a clean cap table, and support priced rounds and SAFEs. If you plan to raise outside funding or grant equity to employees, the C Corp is the standard structure.
What is the 83(b) election and when do I file it?
If a founder or employee receives restricted stock that vests over time, an 83(b) election lets them be taxed on the value at grant rather than at each vesting date. It must be filed with the IRS within 30 days of receiving the stock — the deadline is strict and cannot be extended.
Does Wisconsin charge a franchise tax on corporations?
Wisconsin imposes a 7.9% corporate income/franchise tax on corporate net income, but there is no separate flat franchise tax or capital-based fee for forming and maintaining the entity. Ongoing state costs are limited to the $25 annual report ($40 by mail).
Could my C Corp stock qualify for QSBS treatment?
Qualified Small Business Stock benefits under Section 1202 may apply to qualifying C Corporation stock, potentially excluding a portion of gain from federal tax on a future sale. QSBS rules changed in 2025, so confirm current eligibility and holding requirements with a tax advisor.
Does my Wisconsin C Corporation have to file a BOI report with FinCEN?
No. Under FinCEN's March 2025 interim final rule, U.S. domestic entities and U.S. persons are exempt from Beneficial Ownership Information reporting. Only entities formed outside the U.S. and registered to do business in a U.S. state are still required to file.
Wisconsin government filing resources
Filing fees for common C-Corp services
Official Wisconsin state charges for the filings you may need after formation — our service fee is separate, and we confirm the current amount before filing.
Fee VARIES by entity type: $15.00 for LLC, business corporation, LLP, or cooperative.
$10.00 per certificate - same fee for ALL entity types (does NOT vary by entity).
Learn more$10.00 per CERTIFIED document/record (same fee for all entity types - no per-page charge, priced per document).
$10.00 per document standard (Secretary of State est.
$10 statement of change of registered agent or registered office (Wis.
Learn more$20 to file Business Corporation Articles of Dissolution online with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions.
Learn moreEverything you need to run your Wisconsin C-Corp
Formation is the first step — stay compliant and operational with these services.
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Ready to form your Wisconsin C-Corp?
Formation is free — you pay only the $100 Wisconsin state filing fee. Personal-asset protection, pass-through taxation, and a complete document package, filed in ~5 business days online; expedite next business day (+$25).
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