LLC in Wyoming

Wyoming was the first state to create the LLC structure (1977) and remains one of the most LLC-friendly states in the country. Wyoming is especially popular for its combination of privacy protections, asset protection, no state income tax, and low formation and maintenance costs.

26 steps across 6 sections

1. No State Income Tax

  • No personal income tax
  • No corporate income tax
  • No franchise tax (unlike Delaware's $300/year)
  • No gross receipts tax

2. Privacy Protections

  • Member and manager names are not required in the Articles of Organization (public filing)
  • No public disclosure of ownership information at the state level
  • Nominee services are available — a nominee officer or member can appear on public filings instead of the actual owner
  • No requirement to disclose beneficial ownership to the state

3. Asset Protection (Charging Order Protection)

  • Charging order is the exclusive remedy for a creditor of an LLC member — creditors cannot seize LLC assets or force distributions
  • Applies to single-member LLCs — Wyoming is one of the few states that extends charging order protection to single-member LLCs (many states do not)
  • Creditors can only receive distributions if and when the LLC chooses to make them — the LLC can simply stop making distributions
  • No foreclosure on LLC interest — creditors cannot force a sale of the member's LLC interest

4. Additional Benefits

  • No requirement for an operating agreement (though one is strongly recommended)
  • Lifetime duration — LLCs do not need to be renewed
  • Series LLCs are not currently available in Wyoming (unlike Delaware)
  • Close LLC statute available for small, closely held LLCs
  • Fast processing — Wyoming processes filings quickly, often same-day for online filings

5. Good Fit

  • Holding companies for real estate, investments, or intellectual property
  • Real estate investors (especially those holding properties in multiple states)
  • Asset protection planning (high-net-worth individuals, professionals with liability exposure)
  • Privacy-focused businesses (online businesses, consultants wanting to keep personal information off public records)
  • Businesses with no physical presence in any particular state
  • Multi-entity structures where Wyoming serves as the parent holding company

6. Poor Fit

  • Businesses operating solely in one state that is not Wyoming — you will need foreign qualification in your operating state, doubling your fees and compliance
  • Businesses seeking venture capital — investors typically prefer Delaware
  • Businesses needing Series LLC — Delaware or other states offer this; Wyoming does not

Sources

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