Annual reports are $25 if filed electronically or $40 if submitted by mail. The due date is dependent upon the date of incorporation. Whichever quarter you have incorporated in, the report will be due at the end of that quarter. (I.e.- if your date of inc is April 3rd then your report will be due June 30th.)

If you need help, we can file the annual report for you. Our fee is only $15. If you would like to order our service, please click on the following link:

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Didn’t find answer to your question? Email as at info@incparadise.com

Business Information & Rankings

• Wisconsin ranks 2nd -in percentage of total jobs that are in manufacturing. (Labor Statistics, 2004)
• Business taxes are lower in Wisconsin than those in 35 other states. (Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, 2005)
• Wisconsin’s top five industries are dairy products, motor vehicles, paper, meat products, and small engines.

Cost of living

Crime Rate

Wisconsin has the 11th lowest overall crime ranking in the U.S. (FBI, 2004)

Fees & Taxes

Business Inventory Tax
Exempt.

Corporate Income Tax
Wisconsin’s corporate tax structure consists of a flat rate of 7.9% on all corporate income. Additionally, there is no unitary tax on foreign-owned corporations.

Personal Income Tax
Wisconsin was the first state to require a personal income tax starting in 1911. The personal income tax consists of four brackets with a top rate of 6.75% starting at an income level of $132,580.

Personal Property Tax
Wisconsin is one of the 38 states that collect property taxes at both the state and local levels. Wisconsin does not assess a tax on intangible personal property.

State Sales and Use Tax
Base Rate: 5.00%
Machinery Rate: none

Wisconsin provides an exemption for machines and specific processing equipment, including safety attachments, and repair parts or replacements exclusively and directly used by a manufacturer.

Unemployment Insurance
Wisconsin’s new employers’ rate is 3.25% for 3 years.

What makes “America’s Dairyland” one of the best places to grow or expand your business? A start-up company in Wisconsin can leverage several aspects of the pro-business environment, which includes favorable tax policies, rapid industry development, strong infrastructure, good connectivity with transportation hubs, availability of business funding, and skilled and dedicated workforce. The state is home to the top 6 start-up eco-systems in the country and Milwaukee, WI is considered as the numero-uno place for food entrepreneurs. The state has been built on the backbone of a strong agricultural tradition that has evolved and expanded over a period of time along with manufacturing, advanced machinery, biohealth, aerospace, and material sciences among others.

Business Growth Incentive for New Businesses

The gains are plenty if you register a new company in Wisconsin and these gains can vary from funding opportunities to deriving exemptions and credits on taxes. The various incentives available can be categorized under the following industries:

• Agriculture
• Arts
• Construction & Housing
• Green/Energy
• Logging
• Manufacturing
• Printing & Advertising
• Recreation
• Retail & Services
• Transportation
• Others including Enterprise zones

Let’s take a quick look at the advantages of forming an LLC or a Corporation in Wisconsin.

Advantage#1: The benefits of Incorporation or LLC formation

Corporation

• Credits for businesses: If you register a new business in Wisconsin as a business corporation then you can take advantage of several credit programs. These include 13 types of tax credits available for corporations that can be claimed against the corporate income as well as franchise tax. The different types of Corporate Non-Refundable Credits available to businesses include:
  – Manufacturer’s Sales Tax: The maximum credit amount available is $6,142,807
  – Manufacturing Investment: The maximum credit amount available is $22,170,938
  – Research Facility Credit: The maximum credit amount available is $23,331,973
  – Dairy and Livestock: The maximum credit amount available is $133,458,349
  – Development Zone: The maximum credit amount available is $10,214,549
  – Economic Development: The maximum credit amount available is $25,971,668
  – Historic Preservation: The maximum credit amount available is $3,628,623
  There are many more tax credits that a start-up companies in Wisconsin can leverage. These credits have been grouped into five general categories, which are:
  – Industry-specific credits,
  – Research credits,
  – Zone-based credits,
  – Credits for economic development,
  – Agricultural credits
• No Income Tax: If you register a new business in Wisconsin as an S Corporation, you can benefit from the fact that there are no income taxes to be paid and an S corporation loss or income will be passed through to the stockholders. It is also important to know that there are a few exceptions though.

LLC

• Flexible Profit Distribution: A start-up company in Wisconsin registered as an LLC has the benefit of being able to select different ways of distribution of profits unlike a partnership where the distribution is 50-50.
• Sales and Use Tax Exemptions: Wisconsin provides a variety of exemptions targeting start-ups in specific industries like farming, construction, printing, manufactured home production, logging, and newspapers. Some of the most popular exemptions include:
  – Manufacturing Machinery and Equipment: A start-up company in Wisconsin can benefit from a comprehensive sales and use tax exemption especially when purchasing machinery and equipment to be used directly in a manufacturing process.
  – Manufacturers’ Materials: The state of Wisconsin will exempt businesses from sales and use tax on any tangible personal property that is consumed during the manufacturing process or loses its identity while in the process of manufacturing of tangible personal property.
  – Pollution Abatement, Waste Treatment, and Recycling Equipment: A business will be exempted from sales and use tax on waste treatment facilities and pollution abatement equipment. Businesses will also enjoy exemptions on any replacement parts, and supplies to be used for waste treatment and pollution abatement.

Advantage#2: Wisconsin Business Incentives

Once you register a new company in Wisconsin, there are several business incentives and programs that your company can benefit from. Let’s take a look at some of the most popular programs:

• Wisconsin Enterprise Zones: If you register a new company in Wisconsin in the enterprise zone then there are several incentives that your business will benefit from including tax credits. The program has been implemented in the state by the regional economic development division of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC). The primary objective of the Enterprise Zone (EZ) Program is to incentivize those projects that involve expansion of existing Wisconsin businesses or even relocation of business operations from other states to the EZ. Businesses can enjoy tax credits on several areas like job retention, job creation, employee training, capital investment, and supply chain investment. Know More
• Development Opportunity Zone Tax Credit (DOZ): The primary aim of the Development Opportunity Zone (DOZ) Program is to incentivize new as well as expanding business in the cities of Janesville, Beloit, and Kenosha. The program has been implemented by the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) and you will have to apply to the regional economic development director to avail the tax credits under this program. These Development OZ tax credits will be available to a start-up company in Wisconsin if they are involved in job creation, job retention, capital investment and environmental remediation within the mentioned opportunity zones. Know More

Are there any Disadvantages of Incorporating in Wisconsin?

If you register a new business in Wisconsin, you will be able to enjoy several benefits in the form of tax credits, grants, loans, Enterprise Zones for Development and Opportunity zone programs, sales and use tax exemption, capital gains deferral, and much more. So, the big question is – are there any disadvantages? In reality, there are no disadvantages as such except the ones that are specific to the type of business you register. For instance, an LLC has a limited life and can get dissolved if a member dies. Similarly, incorporation can lead to higher overall taxes and this is where you can find relief in the form of the tax credit programs.

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Wisconsin is a paradise for start-ups as it offers several benefits and a wide variety of incentives. In order to set up a business and make it operational, you will need to

• Register your business first
• Ensure you have a proper business license

It is important to know that every Wisconsin start-up doesn’t require a business license, however certain businesses may require single or multiple licenses or permits. Some of these permits and licenses are regulatory in nature i.e., they cover specific business activity. The regulatory licenses and permits are issued by different state agencies while the tax-related licenses are issued by the Department of Revenue (DOR). There are business activity specific licenses and permits issued by divisions of the Department of Health Services and Department of Natural Resources.

The question is, how do you know what type of Wisconsin company license or permit you require and which state agency is responsible for issuing it.

Step-by-Step Guide to a Business License in Wisconsin

Here is a step-by-step approach towards acquiring a business license in the state of Wisconsin:

Step#1: The Industry or Business Type

How would you know what type of business or professional license is required to operate in Wisconsin? The type of industry or the activities of a business entity helps in identifying the type of business license required.

The license or permit can be obtained from various state agencies directly depending on the type of business you have. Let’s take a look at some examples to understand this better:

Food, Dairy & Restaurant Licenses

Issued by: State of Wisconsin, Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP)

The Wisconsin company license that fall under this category varies according to the type of business activity. Let’s take a look at some of the different types of business activities and the license fee.

• Butter maker – Fee: $75 (2 years)
• Cheese maker – Fee: $75 (2 years)

​Food Processing Plant License (Wholesale) – Fee: The business license fee varies based on the annual production like the fee for annual production of at least $250,000 is $835 and there is also a “License Surcharge” of $100. More Information

Food Retail License/ Retail Food Establishment – Fee: The business license fee varies based on total food sales. For example, the fee for ​food sales of at least $25,000 but less than $1,000,000 is $265 and there is also a “License Surcharge” of $100. More Information

THE LICENSING PROCESS

Alcohol Beverage License

License Issued by: State of Wisconsin, Department of Revenue

The retail business license allows sale of alcoholic beverages to individual retail customers, from a specific place or premises. The alcohol beverage licenses can be classified as under:

• “Class A” liquor licenses
• “Class “A” fermented malt beverage licenses
• “Class A” (cider only) licenses
• “Class B” liquor licenses
• “Class C” wine licenses
• Temporary Class B licenses often known as picnic licenses

Fee: The fees for a business license in Wisconsin for alcoholic beverages are set by local municipalities, within the limits set by the state law. A Class “B” Beer retailer license has a fee of $100 per year while that of a Temporary Class “B” (beer) license is $10. There is also a “Reserve” Class B intoxicating liquor license where the minimum fee is $10,000.

Application: There are different forms for different categories of licenses like AT-106 for Original Alcohol Beverage License Application and AT-315 for Temporary (Picnic) License Application

More Information

Step#2: Licenses issued by City/County

If your business or industry type doesn’t fall under a state-wide license then you will have to check with the local city or county office. A Wisconsin company license can also be issued by local counties or cities in which the business is located. Let’s look at an example to understand how this works.

If you are planning to establish your business in Madison & Dane County then you will have to apply for a business license through Public Health Madison & Dane County (PHMDC). The following licenses or permits are issued in these counties:

• Bed & Breakfasts
• Hotels
• Short-term Rentals: Tourist Rooming Houses
• Restaurants and Retail Stores
• Farmers’ Markets
• Mobile Food Establishments
• Temporary Food Stands
• Tattoo & Body Piercing Licensing
• Water, Well & Septic Permits

You can check the fee for your business license in Wisconsin here.

Download General Business License

Step#3: Issuance of a Business License

How is a business license in Wisconsin issued? You have to identify the following to complete the process:

1. The type of business or industry
2. Do you need a license or a permit?
3. Will it be issued by the state or the city or county?

Once you have identified the above, all you need to do is either download the application online or contact the concerned state department or city of clerk office.

It is important to note that a business license or permit will have to be renewed annually unless specific dates have been mentioned, to keep the business operational.

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