Wyoming LLC Formation for International Founders.
Form a Wyoming LLC, Corporation, Series LLC or DAO LLC from anywhere in the world. Anonymous ownership, $0 state income tax, $60 annual license tax, Mercury and Relay banking — all handled by the Sovera Americas Desk. Wyoming pioneered the US LLC in 1977 and is the only US state with a dedicated DAO statute (W.S. § 17-31). Fixed-price from $1,000, fully managed.
Delaware company formation at a glance.
The fundamentals an international founder needs before incorporating. All figures verified against the Wyoming Secretary of State, the Internal Revenue Service, and FinCEN.
Six reasons Wyoming dominates US privacy-LLC formation.institutional default for US incorporation.
Wyoming’s 1977 LLC Act pioneered the entity worldwide. Half a century later, the state still leads on cost, privacy, asset protection and blockchain-native legal frameworks.
World’s first Limited Liability Company Act
Wyoming enacted the first US Limited Liability Company Act in 1977 — the model statute every other state and country eventually copied. Half a century of case law and continuous statutory refinement (latest substantive update: the 2024 DUNA Act, W.S. § 17-32). When founders pick Wyoming, they are picking the entity’s native jurisdiction.
Cheapest annual maintenance in the United States
$60 minimum annual license tax — the lowest in any US state that does not levy income tax (versus Delaware $300, California $800 franchise tax, Nevada $350+ business license). The fee only scales up when you hold $300,000+ in Wyoming-located assets, calculated as $0.0002 per dollar.
No member or manager names on public record
Wyoming’s Articles of Organization require only the LLC name, registered agent, principal office and organizer — member and manager names are not collected. Sovera’s registered-agent service acts as your organizer, keeping you off the state record entirely. FinCEN BOI filing for US-formed entities remains domestic-exempt under the March 2025 Interim Final Rule.
Strongest US single-member LLC asset protection
Wyoming’s LLC Act gives single-member LLCs the same asset-protection treatment as multi-member LLCs — a creditor’s sole remedy is a charging order against distributions, not foreclosure on the membership interest itself. Codified at W.S. § 17-29-503.
Only US state with a dedicated DAO statute
The Wyoming Decentralized Autonomous Organization Supplement Act (W.S. § 17-31, enacted 2021) is the only US state framework that lets a DAO register as an LLC with smart-contract-based governance. Followed by the DUNA Act in 2024 for unincorporated DAOs of 100+ members. Used by Uniswap (DUNI, 2025), Syndicate Network and Nouns DAO.
Same-day filings through wyobiz.wyo.gov
Online filings are processed immediately on approval — you can have a Wyoming LLC formed in minutes, not days. Sovera bundles the state filing, registered agent year 1, anonymity-preserving organizer service and Mercury banking introduction into a single $1,000 fixed-price package.
Six founder profiles, one jurisdiction.
Where Delaware suits institutional venture capital, Wyoming suits operators who prioritize privacy, low maintenance, asset protection and blockchain-native legal recognition.
International e-commerce founders
Drop-ship, Amazon FBA, Stripe-Atlas-grade operators want a US LLC with the lowest possible annual cost and anonymous ownership. Wyoming LLC at $60/yr beats every alternative.
E-commerceHolding & asset protection
Wyoming’s charging-order-only remedy on single-member LLCs makes it the strongest US jurisdiction for separating personal assets from operating risk. Frequently used for real estate, IP and investment holdings.
Asset ProtectionDAO and Web3 protocols
W.S. § 17-31 (DAO LLC, 2021) and W.S. § 17-32 (DUNA, 2024) are the only US legal wrappers built for decentralized governance. Used by Uniswap, Syndicate Network, Nouns DAO and others. Smart-contract identifier required in Articles.
DAO / Web3Privacy-conscious solo founders
If you don’t want your name and address searchable on any state website, Wyoming’s anonymous LLC — organizer-only filings, no member/manager disclosure, FinCEN BOI exemption — is the most discreet US wrapper available legally.
PrivacyMulti-property real-estate operators
Wyoming Series LLC lets you operate multiple isolated property cells under one master LLC — each series with separate liability and accounting — for $10 per series instead of full LLC formation per property.
Real EstateService businesses with no US nexus
Consultants, freelancers, SaaS operators with no Wyoming presence (no office, no employees, no physical assets in-state) pay only the $60 minimum annual license tax — the cheapest US legal wrapper for Stripe/PayPal/Mercury access.
Service BusinessSee your exact cost
in under a minute.
Fixed pricing, EIN handled, Mercury or Relay introduction, registered agent year 1 — all included. Same-day online filing for US-resident applicants; 1–3 business days end-to-end for international founders.
Four Delaware vehicles, precisely scoped.
Each vehicle is regulated by the Wyoming Secretary of State under W.S. Title 17. Pricing below is the Sovera fixed-fee, fully managed, including state filing and registered agent year 1.
Limited Liability Company (LLC) →
The Wyoming LLC is a flexible pass-through entity governed by W.S. § 17-29. Single-member or multi-member; member-managed or manager-managed. Charging-order-only protection on single-member LLCs. Anonymous ownership preserved through Sovera registered-agent organizer service. $60/yr annual license tax.
Wyoming Corporation →
Wyoming Business Corporation governed by W.S. § 17-16. The choice for operators who prefer share-based ownership over membership interests, or who need qualified small business stock (QSBS) eligibility under IRC § 1202 if criteria met. 21% federal corporate income tax, 0% Wyoming state tax.
Wyoming Series LLC →
Wyoming Series LLC under W.S. § 17-29-211. Each series has its own liability shield, ownership and accounting for $10/series filing fee. Used by real-estate portfolios, multi-strategy fund managers and IP holding structures. Wyoming followed Delaware (1996) as the second state to enact a Series LLC.
Wyoming DAO LLC →
The Wyoming Decentralized Autonomous Organization Supplement Act (W.S. § 17-31, enacted 2021) is the only US state framework purpose-built for DAOs. Member-managed or algorithmically managed; smart-contract identifier required in Articles; statutory notice of restrictions on duties and transfers. Used by Uniswap, Syndicate Network and others.
Formation requirements
Wyoming’s Secretary of State has the lightest documentary requirements of any major US incorporation jurisdiction. Most international founders complete onboarding in one day.
Company name
- LLC name must include “LLC”, “L.L.C.” or “Limited Liability Company”
- Corporation name must include “Inc.”, “Corp.”, “Incorporated” or “Corporation”
- Distinguishable on the Wyoming Secretary of State register
- Name reservation available for 120 days ($50 state fee, optional)
Members / Managers
- No US residency or citizenship requirement — 100% foreign ownership permitted
- Single-member or multi-member structures both available
- Member-managed or manager-managed (specified in Articles)
- Member and manager names not collected on public Articles of Organization
Registered office + agent
- Physical Wyoming street address required (no PO boxes)
- Sovera provides registered agent service — year 1 included in base
- Agent’s address becomes the public-facing principal office
- Year 2+ renewal: $250/year Sovera registered agent
Operating Agreement
- Not required to be filed with the state
- Wyoming LLC Act treats it as the controlling document for member rights
- Sovera template provided (or custom drafting available for $500)
- DAO LLCs require the statutory “Notice of Restrictions” under W.S. § 17-31
Tax overview
Wyoming imposes no state income tax on individuals or corporations and no franchise tax. Every Wyoming entity pays only the $60 minimum annual license tax to maintain good standing. Federal tax depends on whether the entity is taxed as a Corporation or a pass-through.
A Delaware LLC or Corporation whose business is conducted outside Delaware owes zero Delaware state income tax. Only the annual franchise tax applies — $300 flat for an LLC, or from $175 (minimum) for a Corporation under the Authorized Shares method.
Federal corporate income tax is 21% (C-Corp) or pass-through to members (LLC default). Foreign-owned single-member LLCs must file Form 5472 and Form 1120 informational returns annually, even with zero US-source income.
Delaware imposes no state-level sales tax (one of only five US states), no franchise-tax surcharge on holding-company income, and no withholding obligation on dividends paid to non-resident members of an LLC. Sovera covers the full filing calendar in the annual compliance package.
A Wyoming LLC with no Wyoming-located assets pays exactly $60 to the Wyoming Secretary of State on the first day of its formation anniversary month each year. That is the full state-level tax bill — no income tax, no franchise tax, no sales tax (unless you have nexus). Federal tax depends on your members’ residency and the LLC’s activity profile.
| Category | Applicable rate / amount |
|---|---|
| Federal corporate income taxCorporation | 21% |
| Federal income taxLLC, default | Pass-through to members’ returns |
| Wyoming state corporate income tax | 0% (no state corporate income tax) |
| Wyoming state individual income tax | 0% |
| Wyoming franchise tax | None |
| Wyoming annual license taxLLC | $60 minimum · or $0.0002 per $ of WY assets (greater) |
| Wyoming annual license taxCorporation | $60 minimum · same calculation as LLC |
| Sales tax | 4% state + 0–2% local (only if Wyoming nexus) |
| Federal capital gains tax | 0% / 15% / 20% (long-term) · 0% state |
| Foreign-owned SMLLC reporting | Form 5472 + pro forma Form 1120 · deadline April 15 |
| Non-resident-alien dividend withholding | 30% federal (reduced by tax treaty) |
Wyoming’s $60 annual license tax is due on the 1st day of the formation anniversary month. Late filing within 60 days triggers administrative dissolution; reinstatement requires the back tax plus $100. Wyoming-located assets >$300,000 trigger a scaled fee at $0.0002 per dollar. Federal Form 5472 deadline (foreign-owned single-member LLC) is April 15 each year.
Delaware vs alternative jurisdictions.
When international founders pick a US-state LLC or a global alternative, the decision turns on annual cost, ownership privacy, DAO compatibility, and whether they need treaty access or pure asset protection. Below: the five jurisdictions most often weighed against Wyoming in 2026 — verified against current legislation, 2026 fee schedules, and the March 2025 FinCEN Interim Final Rule.
| Jurisdiction | Setup cost | Timeline | Annual | Tax | Public reg. | Min capital | Banking | Treaties | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wyoming LLC | $1,000 | 1–3 days | $60 | 21% / 0%* | Anonymous | None | Tier-1 | 60+ DTAs | Privacy, DAO LLCs, asset protection |
| Delaware LLC | $1,200 | 4–7 days | $300 | 21% / 0%* | Anonymous | None | Tier-1 | 60+ DTAs | US VC route, Court of Chancery |
| New Mexico LLC | $800 | 1–2 days | $0 | 21% / 0%* | Anonymous | None | Tier-1 | 60+ DTAs | Cheapest US privacy LLC |
| BVI BC | $2,500 | 3–5 days | $1,350 | 0% | BOSS (private) | None | Tier-1 | 0 DTAs | Holding, JVs, asset protection |
| UK Limited | $1,800 | 1–3 days | £13 | 25% / 19% | PSC (public) | £1 | Wise/Tide | 130+ DTAs | EU adjacency, IP holding |
The verdict: For lowest annual cost and strongest US privacy, Wyoming is the default. For US venture-capital fundraising, Delaware. For the absolute cheapest US LLC, New Mexico. For offshore zero-tax structures, BVI. For EU-adjacent operations, the UK. A Delaware C-Corporation remains the gold-standard wrapper for any company targeting US venture capital within 24 months; a Delaware LLC is the practical default for international operators, e-commerce, IP holdings and Stripe Atlas alternatives. For other paths, see our BVI, Singapore and UK formation guides.
* Wyoming, Delaware and New Mexico all charge 21% federal corporate income tax on Corporation profits (LLCs are pass-through by default); state income tax is 0% in Wyoming for all activity, and 0% in Delaware/New Mexico for activity conducted out-of-state. New Mexico LLC and BVI BC formation are not currently offered by Sovera; available on request.
Build your Delaware quote.
Pick your entity type. Add the services you need. The total updates live. Wyoming has the lowest fixed-cost incorporation in the US — and Sovera handles end-to-end onboarding for international founders.
Base fee covers state filing, Sovera filing, registered agent year 1, anonymity-preserving organizer service, and Mercury or Relay banking introduction. Wyoming state fees ($100 Articles of Organization) are included in the base. Annual renewal from year 2 is $60 state license tax + $250 Sovera registered agent.
Your engagement, step by step.
Wyoming’s online filing system processes Articles instantly on approval — so the constraint is documentation, not state turnaround. Most international founders are formed within 1–3 business days.
Engagement + KYC
We confirm vehicle (LLC, Corp, Series LLC, DAO LLC), name choice, member structure and add-ons. KYC runs through Didit — passport + selfie + proof of address. Engagement letter and 50% deposit invoice issued.
Name reservation + agent appointment
Sovera runs a Wyoming SOS name-availability check. If clear, we reserve the name and appoint Sovera as registered agent. Optional 120-day name reservation ($50 state fee).
Articles of Organization filed
Sovera files Articles of Organization (LLC) or Articles of Incorporation (Corporation) electronically through wyobiz.wyo.gov. Sovera acts as organizer — your name does not appear. Approval is instant on online filings.
Operating Agreement + Resolutions
Sovera delivers a Wyoming-template operating agreement (or custom-drafted version), initial-member resolutions, and the Wyoming Notice of Restrictions on Duties and Transfers (required for DAO LLCs under W.S. § 17-31).
EIN application (federal tax ID)
If your engagement includes EIN-without-SSN, Sovera files Form SS-4 by fax or mail to the IRS. Standard processing is 4–6 weeks; expedited (fax) is 1–2 weeks.
Banking introduction + handover
Sovera makes the Mercury, Relay, Brex or Wise Business introduction. You complete the application yourself (KYC is bank-side). On account opening, your Wyoming corporate package is complete: digital company kit delivered, calendar set for the year-2 annual report.
Your corporate book.
Every Wyoming engagement ends with a digital corporate kit you can download, print or hand to your accountant, lawyer or bank.
Articles of Organization (stamped)
The Wyoming SOS-stamped formation document confirming legal existence. Includes file ID and effective date.
Certificate of Good Standing
Wyoming SOS-issued proof of active status — required by US banks for account opening.
Operating Agreement (or Bylaws)
Sovera template (or custom-drafted) controlling document for member rights, distributions and dissolution.
Initial member / director resolutions
Signed resolutions appointing officers, opening bank accounts, adopting the operating agreement.
Membership or share certificates
Numbered certificates representing membership or share ownership, ready for transfer.
EIN confirmation letter (CP575)
IRS-issued confirmation of your federal tax ID — the document banks ask for on account opening.
Wyoming registered agent confirmation
Acceptance of Appointment confirming Sovera as registered agent year 1.
Compliance calendar (Year 1–3)
PDF deadline calendar covering annual report, Form 5472, FinCEN check-in dates and Sovera renewal.
US banking for international founders.
Sovera does not handle banking applications on your behalf — the bank-side KYC must be completed by you personally. Sovera makes the introduction and prepares the application package; you complete the ID verification.
Mercury · Primary
Mercury accepts non-resident-owned Wyoming LLCs with EIN + Articles + passport KYC, typically within 5–10 business days. No US address required. FDIC-insured up to $5M via partner banks. Excludes crypto, cannabis, gambling and high-risk industries.
Relay · Primary
Multi-account business banking with budgeting features. Similar non-resident acceptance criteria to Mercury. No monthly fees. FDIC-insured via Thread Bank. Strong for operators who need multiple sub-accounts for cash management.
Brex · Higher-bar
Corporate card + cash management for high-velocity startups. Typically requires $100K+ in funding or revenue. Offers credit lines unavailable at Mercury or Relay. Good for operators with documented funding.
Ramp · Higher-bar
Corporate spend platform with banking via Customers Bank. Strong for fintech-native operators. Free corporate card, 1.5% cashback, requires standard US business KYC and a legitimate operating profile.
Wise Business · International
Multi-currency business account with USD/EUR/GBP and 40+ currencies. Accepts Wyoming LLCs from most countries (sanctions check applies). Best for international payments and multi-currency hold, not ACH-heavy US operations.
Sovera does not handle banking applications on your behalf — you complete the bank-side KYC personally. Sovera prepares the introduction package (corporate kit, EIN, addresses) and routes the application; the bank decides. Mercury and Relay typically respond within 5–10 business days for non-resident-owned Wyoming LLCs.
Regulatory framework
A Delaware entity interacts with three US authorities. The Delaware Division of Corporations (within the Delaware Department of State) administers entity formation, the annual franchise tax, and the corporate annual report.
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) administers federal corporate income tax (21% on C-Corps), Employer Identification Numbers (EIN), Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITIN), and Form 5472 + Form 1120 informational returns for foreign-owned single-member LLCs.
The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) administers the Corporate Transparency Act. Under the March 21, 2025 Interim Final Rule, US-formed entities are currently exempt from Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) reporting.
Wyoming Secretary of State
The Wyoming Secretary of State Business Division administers entity formation, annual reports, license-tax collection, name reservations, and reinstatements. Sovera files all Wyoming corporate documents through the online portal at wyobiz.wyo.gov.
Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
Federal tax authority — issues Employer Identification Numbers (EINs), receives Form 5472 + Form 1120 from foreign-owned single-member LLCs, and receives Form 1065 from multi-member LLCs. Wyoming has no state income tax, so the IRS is the only income-tax authority for a Wyoming entity.
Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN)
FinCEN administers the Corporate Transparency Act’s beneficial ownership reporting. Under the March 21, 2025 Interim Final Rule, US-formed entities (including Wyoming LLCs) are currently exempt from filing Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI). Foreign-formed entities registered to do business in a US state must still file.
Ongoing compliance.
Wyoming’s annual maintenance is the cheapest of any major US jurisdiction. Most international founders spend less than $400 per year on state + Sovera renewal combined.
| Annual obligation | Due | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Wyoming annual license tax — LLC | Annual · 1st day of formation anniversary month | $60 minimum · greater of $60 or 0.0002 × WY assets |
| Wyoming annual license tax — Corporation | Annual | $60 minimum · same calculation |
| Sovera registered agent renewal | Annual (year 2+) | $250/yr · includes anonymity preservation |
| Compliance calendar | Annual (year 2+) | Included in registered agent renewal |
| Form 5472 + 1120 (foreign-owned SMLLC) | Annual · deadline April 15 | $600/yr Sovera filing (optional) |
| Operating agreement amendments | As needed | $200/amendment · no state filing fee |
| Series addition (Wyoming Series LLC) | Per series | $10 state fee + $300 Sovera per series |
| DAO smart-contract identifier update | As needed | $200 amendment fee · W.S. § 17-31 mandate |
| Dissolution / wind-down | End of life | $60 state + $400 Sovera + IRS Form 966 |
Three Delaware cases.
Frank answers to common Delaware questions.
Talk to the Americas Desk.
Tell us about your business and we’ll reply with a fixed-price quote, structure recommendation, and timeline within 24 hours.
Form your Wyoming company with Sovera.
Fixed-price from $1,000. EIN, registered agent, Mercury banking introduction and operating agreement included. Anonymous ownership preserved through Sovera registered-agent organizer service. Same-day formation for US-resident applicants; 1–3 business days for international founders.