How to Start a Business in Wyoming
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Wyoming boasts the best tax climate for business in a recent Tax Foundation report, as well as the lowest cost of living in the nation. These two factors make it especially affordable and business-friendly. There is no corporate or personal state income tax. Wisconsin also has low energy costs and an educated workforce. Sparsely populated, “The Cowboy State” has many scenic sights to enjoy ranches, wide-open grasslands, The Rocky Mountains, and Yellowstone National Park.
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How to Start a Business
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General resources for starting a business in Wyoming
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Wyoming Website
http://www.Wyoming.gov -
Wyoming Chamber of Commerce
http://2010-2014.commerce.gov/about-commerce/commerce-services-offices-near-you/wyoming
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Phone Numbers
Voice: 307-777-7311 (Sec. of State)
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Wyoming Business Incubators http://www.uwyo.edu/wtbc/
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Physical Address
Business Division
2020 Carey Avenue
Suite 700
Cheyenne, WY 82002-0020 -
Wyoming Tax Forms
http://revenue.wyo.gov/Excise-Tax-Division/forms
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Mailing Address
Business Division
2020 Carey Avenue
Suite 700
Cheyenne, WY 82002-0020 -
Wyoming Grants
http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/search-grants.html?keywords=Wyoming
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Help with incorporation in Wyoming
http://www.corpnet.com/start-business/quote/llc-wy/
(starts at $79 + state fees & shipping) -
Small Business Loans
https://www.fundera.com/
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Wyoming Angel Investors
http://angel.co/wyoming/investors

Fun facts about starting a business in Wyoming
Famous business founded in Wyoming Taco John’s
Taco John’s was founded in 1969 in Cheyenne, Wyoming. It is a fast-food restaurant featuring Mexican-inspired fast food, which it calls “West-Mex.” Taco John’s now has more than 400 restaurants in 25 U.S. states.
Famous based in Wyoming George T. Beck
George T. Beck (1856-1943) was a politician and business entrepreneur in Wyoming. Though he was born in Kentucky, Beck, along with Horace C. Alger and later investors, including William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody, founded the Shoshone Land and Irrigation Company to build a canal and irrigate land in the Big Horn Basin. As the most directly involved in the day-to-day operations, Beck lived in Cody and guided the town in its infancy.
Which type of legal structure is best for my business in Wyoming?
We strongly recommend you incorporate, but you must consider the tax, legal, and liability implications carefully before deciding on the best structure.

Here are 5 helpful steps to determine what is the best legal structure for your business:
- Decide how much money you will need to raise in the short and long term. This will help you identify the shareholding structure of your company.
- Compare the tax implications of different structures. Here’s a simple comparison:
C corp | The company pays tax on profits | Shareholders pay tax on dividends |
---|---|---|
S corp/Partnership/LLC | Shareholders pay tax on profits in proportion to their holdings | Tax rates are based on shareholders` marginal tax rates |
Sole proprietorship | Owner pays tax on profits | Tax rates are based on owner`s marginal tax rate |
- Consider the type and level of liability you could face. Risks are higher for companies producing or selling products, hiring employees or selling online.
- Take professional legal and financial advice from your attorney and accountant for questions about your proposed structure. Make sure you understand the full implications of your choice.
- Use a website such as CorpNet.com to help you quickly and affordably set up your structure.
Steps to starting an LLC in Wyoming:
- Step 1 — Name your LLC.
- Step 2 — File Articles of Organization.
- Step 3 — Appoint a Registered Agent.
- Step 4 — Prepare an Operating Agreement.
- Step 5 — Comply with any publication requirements.
- Step 6 — Comply with other tax and regulatory requirements.
- Step 7 — File Annual Report.
- Step 8 — Register foreign LLCs doing business in Wyoming.
For help forming your LLC in Wyoming we recommend CorpNet (they have fees for their service). Alternatively visit the Wyoming Secretary of State website.
Other Wyoming resources for LLCs:
Secretary of State Business Name Database: Check this site to see if your business name is available in Alabama.
File your “Application for Reservation of Name” here.
File your “Articles of Organization” here.
File your Annual Reports here.
Wyoming Business Licenses and Permits: Check this site for licensing and permitting requirements for your business.
IRS EIN Online: Apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) for your LLC here. If your LLC has more than one member, you must get an EIN, even if you have no employees.
Wyoming Department of Revenue: If you will be selling goods and collecting sales tax, you’ll need to register with this site.
Steps to starting Sole Proprietorship in Wyoming:
- Step 1 — Choose a business name.
- Step 2 — File a trade name.
- Step 3 — Obtain licenses, permits, and zoning clearance.
- Step 4 — Get an Employer Identification Number (EIN).
For help forming your Sole Proprietorship in Wyoming we recommend CorpNet (they have fees for their service). Alternatively visit the Wyoming Secretary of State website.
Other Wyoming resources for Sole Proprietorship:
Secretary of State Business Name Database: Search for the availability of your business name here. A sole proprietor may use his or her given name, or an assumed business name.
File your trade name here.
U.S. Patent & Trademark Office: Federal database for existing trademark registrations. Click on the “TESS” link to conduct a search.
Wyoming Business Licenses and Permits: Check this site for licensing and permitting requirements for your business.
IRS EIN Online: Apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) for your corporation here.
Wyoming Department of Revenue: Register here to fulfill business tax requirements.
Steps to starting Partnership in Wyoming:
- Step 1 — Choose a business name.
- Step 2 — File a fictitious business name statement with the county clerk.
- Step 3 — Create a partnership agreement.
- Step 4 — Obtain licenses, permits, and zoning clearance.
- Step 5 — Get an Employer Identification Number (EIN).
For help forming your Partnership in Wyoming we recommend CorpNet (they have fees for their service). Alternatively visit the Wyoming Secretary of State website.
Other Wyoming resources for Partnership:
Business Name Search: Search for the availability of your business name here. A partnership may use the surnames of the individual partners, or a fictitious business name.
File your trade name here.
U.S. Patent & Trademark Office: Federal database for existing trademark registrations. Click on the “TESS” link to conduct a search.
Wyoming Business Licenses and Permits: Check this site for licensing and permitting requirements for your business.
IRS EIN Online: Apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) for your partnership here. Partnerships are required to have an EIN, whether or not they have employees.
Wyoming Department of Revenue: If you will be selling goods and collecting sales tax, you’ll need to register here.
Steps to starting S Corporation in Wyoming:
- Step 1 — Name your corporation.
- Step 2 — File Articles of Incorporation.
- Step 3 — Appoint a registered agent.
- Step 4 — Set up a corporate records book.
- Step 5 — Prepare corporate bylaws.
- Step 6 — Appoint initial corporate directors.
- Step 7 — Hold your first Board of Directors meeting.
- Step 8 — Issue stock.
- Step 9 — Comply with Annual Report requirements.
- Step 10 — Comply with other tax and regulatory requirements.
- Step 11 — Register foreign corporations doing business in Wyoming.
For help forming your S Corporation in Wyoming we recommend CorpNet (they have fees for their service). Alternatively visit the Wyoming Secretary of State website.
Other Wyoming resources for S Corporation:
Business Name Search: Search for the availability of your business name here. A partnership may use the surnames of the individual partners, or a fictitious business name.
File your “Application for Name Reservation” here.
File your “Articles of Incorporation” here.
File your Annual Report here.
Wyoming Business Licenses and Permits: Check this site for licensing and permitting requirements for your business.
IRS EIN Online: Apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) for your partnership here. Partnerships are required to have an EIN, whether or not they have employees.
IRS S corporations: Specific instructions for your tax requirements as an S corp.
Wyoming Department of Revenue: If you will be selling goods and collecting sales tax, you’ll need to register here.
Steps to starting C Corporation in Wyoming:
- Step 1 — Name your corporation.
- Step 2 — File Articles of Incorporation.
- Step 3 — Appoint a registered agent.
- Step 4 — Set up a corporate records book.
- Step 5 — Prepare corporate bylaws.
- Step 6 — Appoint initial corporate directors.
- Step 7 — Hold your first Board of Directors meeting.
- Step 8 — Issue stock.
- Step 9 — Comply with Annual Report requirements.
- Step 10 — Comply with other tax and regulatory requirements.
- Step 11 — Register foreign corporations doing business in Wyoming.
For help forming your C Corporation in Wyoming we recommend CorpNet (they have fees for their service). Alternatively visit the Wyoming Secretary of State website.
Other Wyoming resources for C Corporation:
Business Name Search: Search for the availability of your business name here. A partnership may use the surnames of the individual partners, or a fictitious business name.
File your “Application for Name Reservation” here.
File your “Articles of Incorporation” here.
File your Annual Report here.
Wyoming Business Licenses and Permits: Check this site for licensing and permitting requirements for your business.
IRS EIN Online: Apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) for your partnership here. Partnerships are required to have an EIN, whether or not they have employees.
Wyoming Department of Revenue: If you will be selling goods and collecting sales tax, you’ll need to register here.

Why choose Wyoming for my business?
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1
Tax Foundation: “2016 State Business Tax Climate Index”
Wyoming ranks #1 in the nation. -
2
USA Today: “The Best States for Business” (2015)
Wyoming ranks #3. “With the best tax climate for business in a recent Tax Foundation report, and the lowest cost of living in the nation, Wyoming was especially affordable for businesses. The state had the lowest cost of living of any of the 50 states while at the same time the local per capita personal tax burden as a percentage of per capita income was the lowest in the country.” -
3
Grasshopper: "The Best States to Incorporate: A Concise Guide" (2014)
“...Wyoming’s government website reports that the state has no corporate or personal income taxes of any kind. Owners of Wyoming corporations are responsible only for federal income taxes, the rest is theirs to keep and distribute at will. Wyoming also offers tax exemptions to businesses purchasing raw materials for production. Business-to-consumer transactions on gasoline and groceries are exempt from state taxes as well, which is a big benefit to entrepreneurs in these areas of business.” -
4
Wyoming Business Council: Tax Incentives
Tax and other incentives available in the state. -
5
Wyoming Business Council: Business Incentives
Business incentives available in the state.