Incorporation in Wyoming offers several benefits to businesses. Wyoming corporations don’t have to pay state income tax or disclose their shareholders to the public. The filings themselves are transparent in the secretary of state’s system, which creates a public record that’s both private and durable. Additionally, real-time digital infrastructure makes Wyoming a more efficient corporate jurisdiction.

Below, we’ll explain how incorporation in Wyoming works, including what it costs and how to build a compliant corporation.

What’s in this article?

• What does it mean to incorporate a business in Wyoming?
  
• What are the advantages of forming a corporation in Wyoming?
  
• How much does it cost to incorporate in Wyoming?
  
• What are the steps to incorporate your business in Wyoming?
  
• How Stripe Atlas can help
  

What does it mean to incorporate a business in Wyoming?

Incorporating in Wyoming establishes a separate legal entity with some degree of permanence and privacy. The state’s corporate code lets a single person form and manage the entire entity as shareholder, director, and officer. Filings go straight into the secretary of state’s digital system, where each record is immediately made public, but the initial filing doesn’t need to disclose the directors.

What are the advantages of forming a corporation in Wyoming?

Corporate laws in Wyoming have been refined over decades to make it easier to build and maintain a legitimate business without an abundance of operational obstacles. The result is a system that’s light on taxes, inexpensive, and private—a combination that attracts everyone from solo founders to global investors.

Here’s a closer look at the benefits of incorporating in the state.

Tax simplicity and low costs

Wyoming doesn’t collect corporate income tax, personal income tax, or franchise tax, although there’s an annual report license tax. The cost to incorporate is $100, and the annual report fee starts at $60. There’s no state business license requirement, and the amount of paperwork is minimal.

Privacy in the record

Shareholders aren’t listed in state filings. The articles of incorporation show only incorporators and a registered agent with a Wyoming address. That structure gives additional owners a layer of privacy while still keeping the company in good standing.

Strong liability and asset protection

Wyoming law provides further protection for personal assets from business troubles. As long as formalities are observed (e.g., annual reports, separate finances, accurate filings), the corporation’s debts and obligations stay with the entity.

Flexible governance

One person can run the entire company, or a full board can manage it. Wyoming’s Statutory Close Corporation Supplement allows corporations with 35 or fewer shareholders to forgo holding annual meetings. And with no cap on authorized shares or extra fees for higher share counts, the state leaves businesses room for their future fundraising.

The combination of low fees and digital filings makes Wyoming a jurisdiction that’s efficient enough for a one-person operation and stable enough for entities that expect to hold assets or operate across states. Wyoming’s benefits for limited liability companies (LLCs) are similar, but LLCs can’t issue stock and are taxed differently.

How much does it cost to incorporate in Wyoming?

Wyoming keeps corporate costs low. Forming a corporation requires a $100 filing fee paid to the secretary of state ($103.75 if you file online to cover the convenience charge). After you pay that fee, you’ll have to pay the annual report license tax. This is due each year on the first day of your incorporation anniversary month. It’s $60 at minimum or $0.0002 of every dollar for all assets located and employed in Wyoming—whichever is greater.

If you’re not based in Wyoming, you’ll also need a registered agent with a physical address in the state. If you hire a professional service, that will be an added cost. Prices vary depending on the service level.

Incorporation can be completed in a single afternoon if you’re prepared, especially if you use Wyoming’s incorporation services. Online filings take effect immediately, and the fees are transparent.

What are the steps to incorporate your business in Wyoming?

Incorporation in Wyoming is straightforward and efficient. The state’s filing system is digital, so every submission is published to the public record immediately. The process gives founders, counsel, and investors a corporate record they can trust from the moment it’s filed.

Here are the steps you’ll need to follow to incorporate.

Choose your structure and name

Wyoming supports corporations, LLCs, and other business structures. Corporations suit companies that plan to raise capital, issue stock, or build long-term governance structures.

Make sure to choose a unique corporate name. Restricted words such as “Bank” and “Trust” need special approval, and corporate names that include them cannot be filed online—only by mail. You can search the secretary of state’s business database to check whether your name is available. If you want to hold the name before filing, you can reserve it for 120 days for a $60 fee.

Appoint a registered agent

Every corporation must maintain a registered agent with a physical Wyoming address (no PO Boxes). The agent receives official mail and legal documents, and they must consent in writing using the state’s “Consent to Appointment by Registered Agent” form.

If you’re not personally based in Wyoming, you’ll need to hire a professional agent; the state won’t approve your articles without a valid agent on record.

Prepare and file your articles of incorporation

The articles of incorporation establish your company under Wyoming law. You can file online or by mail through the secretary of state’s Business Division.

The articles must include:

• The corporation’s name, principal office address, and mailing address

• The registered agent’s name and Wyoming address

• The incorporators’ names and addresses

• The number and class of authorized shares

Wyoming doesn’t require you to list directors, officers, or shareholders; only the incorporator and agent appear publicly. Once your articles are filed, they’re available in the public database. Their presence confirms that your corporation legally exists.

Draft bylaws and hold your organizational meeting

After formation, create corporate bylaws that define how the company operates: the board structure, meeting and voting procedures, and officer duties. Then, hold an organizational meeting to adopt those bylaws, appoint officers (and directors, if you haven’t yet), and issue stock. You don’t file bylaws with the state, but they’re necessary for governance and maintaining liability protection.

Register for sales tax, if required

Wyoming doesn’t have corporate or personal income tax, but you might need to apply for a sales tax license with the Excise Tax Division.

File your annual report

Each year, you’ll need to file an annual report and pay the license tax by the first day of your incorporation anniversary month. The process is quick online. Missing this deadline risks administrative dissolution, so mark it on your compliance calendar.

How Stripe Atlas can help

Stripe Atlas sets up your company’s legal foundations so you can fundraise, open a bank account, and accept payments within two business days from anywhere in the world.

Join 75K+ companies incorporated using Atlas, including startups backed by top investors like Y Combinator, a16z, and General Catalyst.

Applying to Atlas

Applying to form a company with Atlas takes less than 10 minutes. You’ll choose your company structure, instantly confirm whether your company name is available, and add up to four cofounders. You’ll also decide how to split equity, reserve a pool of equity for future investors and employees, appoint officers, and then e-sign all your documents. Any cofounders will receive emails inviting them to e-sign their documents, too.

Accepting payments and banking before your EIN arrives

After forming your company, Atlas files for your Employer Identification Number (EIN). Founders with a US Social Security number, address, and cell phone number are eligible for IRS expedited processing, while others will receive standard processing, which can take a little longer. Additionally, Atlas enables pre-EIN payments and banking, so you can start accepting payments and making transactions before your EIN arrives.

Cashless founder stock purchase

Founders can purchase initial shares using their intellectual property (e.g., copyrights or patents) instead of cash, with proof of purchase stored in your Atlas Dashboard. Your IP must be valued at $100 or less to use this feature; if you own IP above that value, consult a lawyer before proceeding.

Automatic 83(b) tax election filing

Founders can file an 83(b) tax election to reduce personal income taxes. Atlas will file it for you—whether you are a US or non-US founder—with USPS Certified Mail and tracking. You’ll receive a signed 83(b) election and proof of filing directly in the Stripe Dashboard.

World-class company legal documents

Atlas provides all the legal documents you need to start running your company. Atlas C corp documents are built in collaboration with Cooley, one of the world’s leading venture capital law firms. These documents are designed to help you fundraise immediately and ensure your company is legally protected, covering aspects like ownership structure, equity distribution, and tax compliance.

A free year of Stripe Payments, plus $50K in partner credits and discounts

Atlas collaborates with top-tier partners to give founders exclusive discounts and credits. These include discounts on essential tools for engineering, tax, finance, compliance, and operations from industry leaders like AWS, Carta, and Perplexity. We also provide you with your required Delaware registered agent for free in your first year. Plus, as an Atlas user, you’ll access additional Stripe benefits, including up to a year of free payment processing for up to $100K in payments volume.

Learn more about how Atlas can help you set up your new business quickly and easily, and get started today.