Having a business licence in Wyoming allows your business to operate legally and helps ensure your activities comply with regulations and taxes. Wyoming doesn't require a state-level licence to operate. Local licensing requirements depend on the type of business and the city or town where it operates. In some cities, a business licence is only required for certain types of businesses. In others, you'll need a licence no matter what goods or services you're selling there, even if that city or town isn't your business's main location.

Below, we'll cover the licences and permits you'll need as a business owner in Wyoming, how to apply for them, and the required costs.

Key takeaways

• Wyoming business licences are issued at the city and town level, but not all municipalities in the state require them. Many localities also issue licences to particular businesses only.

• Businesses with assets located in the state are required to file an annual report each year and pay an annual report licence tax of at least US$60.

• The cost to get and renew a business licence varies by municipality, but is typically a flat annual fee based on the business type.

What is a business licence in Wyoming?

A business licence gives you permission to operate and helps ensure you adhere to local regulations. In Wyoming, licensing functions at the city and town level. Counties in Wyoming don't issue county-level business licences. However, the county might oversee licensing for activities such as liquor sales, catering, or temporary or transient merchants.

Local requirements vary considerably. For example, in Gillette city, business licences are required for taxi operators, liquor establishments, and mobile food vendors, among others. Auctioneers, carnival operators, and pawnbrokers need a business licence in Laramie. The city of Cheyenne requires licences for a wider range of business owners, such as barbers and beauty shops, bowling alley and skating rink operators.

What are the types of business licences and permits in Wyoming?

The Wyoming licences and permits to be aware of include:

• Local business licences: Licensing rules vary widely by municipality. In some cases, your industry will determine whether you need a business licence in the town or city where the business is based. In others, such as in the city of Green River, all businesses with a storefront or operations there must apply for a general business licence. Some municipalities also have business licences for particular circumstances, such as operating a rental housing unit or a home-based business.

• Individual occupational licences: Depending on the locality, individual service providers might also need an occupational licence to work legally. In Cheyenne, tattoo artists, massage therapists, horse and carriage drivers, and taxi drivers require occupational licences separate from the establishment's own business licence. It's also common in Wyoming for contractors to need a local occupational licence.

• Statewide professional licences: Healthcare providers, accountants, and other state-regulated occupations generally need licensing from Wyoming state professional boards.

• Sales tax licence: The state of Wyoming levies sales tax for all businesses with physical or economic nexus there. If your business has a physical presence in Wyoming or earned US$100,000 or more in gross revenue from sales in the state during the prior calendar year, you must register for a sales tax licence with the Wyoming Department of Revenue.

• Federal licence for regulated industries: Certain federal licences and permits are also required for activities regulated by federal agencies. For example, if your business sells alcohol in Wyoming, you will need to apply for a federal permit through the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau.

What are the steps to get a business licence in Wyoming?

Follow these steps to get a business licence and set up your business in Wyoming:

1. Choose your business type: Pick a business structure, such as a limited liability company (LLC) or corporation. Then confirm the availability of your company's name using the Wyoming Secretary of State's search tool. The department provides a company name guide with tips on how to choose a suitable name and make sure it's not already in use.

2. Register with the Wyoming Secretary of State: If you are registering an LLC, profit corporation, non-profit corporation, or limited partnership, you can submit an online form to register your business with the Wyoming Secretary of State. You'll need to use a paper form if your business entity is a registered limited liability partnership, statutory foundation, or statutory trust. The filing fee is US$50 or US$100, depending on the type of business. You can also register a trade name or trademark for your business by mail.

3. Get a federal Employer Identification Number (EIN): Before applying for a business licence, you'll need to secure an EIN from the US Internal Revenue Service (IRS). An EIN works like a Social Security number for your business, and you'll need one in order to pay taxes and hire employees. You can apply online via the IRS.

4. Obtain a local business licence: To determine whether you need a licence in the city or town where the business is located, contact your local government. You can find your city or town clerk in the Wyoming Association of Municipalities' municipal directory. If you need a business licence, you may be able to apply online, by mail, or in person, depending on what the locality offers.

5. Apply for a Wyoming professional licence: Review the list of licensed occupations for regulated industries from the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services to find out if you need to apply for a professional licence, then submit an application through the proper agency.

6. Apply for a state sales tax licence: Submit an application to the Wyoming Department of Revenue's Excise Tax Division in order to collect and pay state sales tax. To apply online, first create an account on the Wyoming Internet Filing System (WYIFS), and then complete the required forms online. You'll receive your licence within about two weeks. You can also send the form by mail, which will prolong processing times.

How much does a business licence cost in Wyoming?

Local business licence costs in Wyoming vary significantly by location and business type. You might not have to pay anything for a general business licence if the city or town where you operate doesn’t issue them or if your industry doesn’t require licensure.

If you do need to pay for a business licence, the cost is typically a flat annual fee of US$25 to US$200. In some towns, the cost is notably higher. In Jackson, for example, you’ll pay up to US$891 as a non-sales-tax collecting business with 100 or more employees.

Licence fees for different industries also vary widely, depending on the industry and where you obtain the licence. For example, a local taxi cab licence costs US$25 in the city of Cheyenne, while a state of Wyoming midwifery licence costs US$1,200.

You’ll also pay the Wyoming Secretary of State up to US$100 to register your business and at least US$60 to submit an annual report each year. Finally, you might pay for occupational licences if your profession requires it. Professional licences also range in cost, depending on the industry.

How do you renew your Wyoming business licence?

Each Wyoming city and town has its own business licence renewal procedures. In general, you’ll submit a licence renewal application each year. The term of the licence is typically 1 January to 31 December. Often, the city or town clerk proactively sends renewal applications to currently operating businesses at the beginning of December, with a 31 December due date.

Professional licensing renewal rules in state-regulated industries also vary widely. For example, dieticians must renew licences annually, between 1 April and 15 June. Professional geologists are required to submit renewal applications between 1 October and 31 December.

Depending on the licensing authority, you may be able to renew your business licence online, in person, or by post. Keep track of important dates and sign up for reminders so you don’t miss renewal deadlines.

What specific licensing considerations should you know about in Wyoming?

Here are a few Wyoming business licensing process nuances to consider:

• Annual report licence tax: Every year you're in business in Wyoming, you'll need to submit an annual report and pay a filing fee, known as a licence tax. The report provides updated contact information for your business and, potentially, lists the value of its Wyoming-based assets. Each year, it's due on the first of the month your business was formed and registered with the Wyoming Secretary of State. This is in addition to any local licences or permits your business is required to get.

• Tiered business licence fees in Jackson: While many municipalities have limited licensing requirements and low fees, the town of Jackson has a uniquely costly fee structure. Businesses pay licence fees based on the number of employees and whether or not they collect sales tax. Sales tax-collecting businesses must pay US$136 to US$684 annually for their business licence. Non-sales-tax-collecting businesses pay US$179 to US$891.

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