$60
Wyoming yearly minimum
$400
Delaware yearly LLC tax
$340
Yearly difference in state fees
Side by side
| Item | Wyoming | Delaware |
|---|---|---|
| Recurring filing | Wyoming annual report (yearly) | Delaware LLC annual tax (yearly) — no annual report |
| Yearly state cost | $60 minimum — license tax of $0.0002 per dollar of Wyoming assets if higher | $400 flat, not prorated |
| Due date | First day of your formation (anniversary) month | On or before June 1, for the prior year |
| If you’re late | Delinquent from the 2nd day of the following month; administratively dissolved if not filed within 60 days of the due date | $200 penalty plus 1.5% interest per month; the LLC loses good standing |
| Who can be the registered agent | An individual 18+ or a business entity in good standing in Wyoming | The LLC itself (with a Delaware office), a Delaware resident, or a Delaware or authorized foreign entity |
| Agent address rules | Physical Wyoming street address; no P.O. boxes, virtual addresses or mail-forwarding locations | Delaware business office open to accept service; not solely a virtual office or mail-forwarding service |
| Fee to change agent | $5 | $50 |
| Yearly total with an agent service | $159 | $499 |
Choose Wyoming if…
- Low yearly cost matters most
- You want a simple yearly report you can file up to 120 days early
- You’re a small business or a founder without US operations
Consider Delaware if…
- Your investors or advisors specifically ask for a Delaware entity
- A $400 yearly tax is immaterial to your budget
- You prefer a fixed June 1 deadline over an anniversary month
Every fee, from formation to closing
The yearly fee is only part of the bill. Here’s every state fee you’re likely to pay in each state, plus the five-year total.
| Item | Wyoming | Delaware |
|---|---|---|
| Formation filing | $100 (online adds a 2.4% card fee, min $1) | $110 |
| Certificate of good standing | Free online ($20 for a paper certificate) | $50 short form · $175 long form |
| Dissolution / cancellation | $60 | $220 plus any unpaid annual taxes |
| Trade name (DBA) | $100 (renewal $50) | See Delaware One Stop |
| State cost over 5 years (formation + 5 yearly fees) | $400 | $2110 |
| Over 5 years with a $99/yr agent service | $895 | $2605 |
From the Wyoming Secretary of State fee schedule (effective July 1, 2026) and the Delaware Division of Corporations fee schedule (August 1, 2026). Five-year totals assume the minimum yearly fee.
For founders outside the US
Both states accept owners who don’t live in the US, and both require an in-state registered agent. After forming, you’ll need an EIN (by phone or fax without an SSN), a bank that accepts non-residents, and — if you’re the only owner — Form 5472 every year, whichever state you choose. Leer en español.
Mercury
$0/mo
- $0 monthly fee, no minimum balance, no opening fees
- Free ACH and free domestic wires, sent and received
- Free outgoing USD international wires
Watch out: No cash deposits
Lili
$0/mo (Pro $15, Smart $35, Premium $55)
- No SSN required — open with a foreign passport and EIN
- Supported countries include much of Latin America
- $0 Core plan with no minimum deposit
Watch out: International wires cost $25 out / $15 in
Relay
$0/mo (Grow $30, Scale $120)
- $0 Starter plan with no minimum balance
- Up to 20 checking accounts on Starter (Profit First friendly)
- Cash deposits at Allpoint+ ATMs and Green Dot retailers
Watch out: Wire and same-day ACH fees on Starter
Either way: you may also register at home
If you live and operate in another US state, that state will usually require your LLC to register there as well — which can add another yearly fee. Check your home state before choosing. Compare yearly costs across states.
Frequently asked questions
Is Wyoming or Delaware cheaper for an LLC?
Wyoming. Its yearly license tax starts at $60, while Delaware charges a flat $400 annual tax — a difference of $340 a year before registered agent costs.
When are Wyoming and Delaware LLC fees due?
Wyoming’s annual report is due on the first day of your LLC’s anniversary month. Delaware’s $400 tax is due on or before June 1 for the prior year.
What happens if I pay late?
In Wyoming the LLC becomes delinquent and is administratively dissolved if the report isn’t filed within 60 days after the due date. In Delaware a $200 penalty plus 1.5% interest per month is added and the LLC loses good standing.
Do I need a registered agent in Wyoming or Delaware?
Yes, both require one with a physical in-state address. If you don’t live there, a commercial registered agent typically costs $99–$199 a year among the services we compared.
Your LLC setup checklist
- Get a free EINFrom the IRS, in minutes online.
- Open a business bank accountKeep LLC money apart from yours to protect the liability shield.
- Sign an operating agreementSettle who owns and decides what before it matters.
- Get business insuranceCover what the LLC itself doesn’t protect.
- Plan your taxesKnow your tax status and federal due dates.
- Track state deadlinesFree reminders before each filing.
Everything in one list: printable LLC compliance checklist · live deadline calendar.