How To Fill Out The Wisconsin Articles of Organization
Are you thinking of forming an LLC in the state of Wisconsin? Before you get started, it is important to understand how to correctly fill out the Wisconsin Articles of Organization. This document outlines information about the Limited Liability Corporation (LLC) and helps establish your company as an entity with protected legal rights and responsibilities.
I’ll provide you with step-by-step instructions so you can complete your articles efficiently and accurately.
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Steps To Fill Out The Wisconsin LLC Articles Of Organization
The Wisconsin Articles of Organization is the official document filed with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions to establish a Limited Liability Company (LLC). After the filing is approved by the state, the business can officially begin operating and register for the necessary business licenses and permits.
To form a Wisconsin LLC, you will need to with file the Articles of Organization online through the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institution’s website or by filing paper Form 502.
Zenbusiness and IncFile are running a special where you only pay state fees for your LLC formation!
Since it the fastest and least expensive method to form an LLC, I’ll go over the online filingd.
Step 1: Pick a Name for the LLC
The first step in filling out the Wisconsin Operating Agreement is to pick a business name.
There are a few requirements when choosing a Wisconsin LLC name.
1. The name of your LLC must not be too similar to the name of another business entity already registered with the state of Wisconsin. You can verify name availability by doing a Wisconsin LLC name search with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions to be sure the LLC name is available.
2. The name of the LLC must include one of the following entity identifiers at the end of the business name:
– Limited Liability Company
– Limited Company Co.
– L.L.C.
– LLC
Enter the LLC name, including the identifier, to continue. If you choose a name that is taken, the Department of Financial Institutions will return your application.
Step 2: Appoint a Registered Agent
You may notice that we jumped to Article 3 because Article 2 says, “The Wisconsin Limited Liability Company is organized under Chapter 183 of the Wisconsin Statutes,” and there is nothing needed.
In Article 3, you will appoint a Wisconsin Registered Agent. The Registered Agent is a party that is physically located in the state of Wisconsin that will receive important notices and service of process (which means to accept papers that start a lawsuit) on behalf of the LLC.
Provided the LLC member lives in the state of Wisconsin and is generally available during business hours, they may act as the Registered Agent. Additionally, any adult resident of the state, attorney or accountant in the state, or a Registered Agent Service can also act as the LLC’s Agent.
Related: Should you be the Registered Agent?
Step 3: Provide the Registered Office Address
In Step 3 enter the address for the registered agent, which may or may not be the same as the business’s address.
This must be a physical address in the state of Wisconsin.
Step 4 – Provide the Principal Office Address
In step 4, you will enter the physical address of the business.
This may be, but is not required to be, the actual place of the business to the physical street address, or the main location where the business records are kept. A physical address must be used as P.O. Boxes are not acceptable.
Step 5: List the LLC Organizers
The Organizer is someone who is involved with the LLC formation. The Organizer may or may not be a member, such as a mentor, attorney, or accountant, but any of the initial member(s) could be listed as an organizer.
List the name and address of each Organizer. There will be at least one Organizer for the LLC.
Next, enter the name of the individual who drafted the Articles of Organization. It could be the Organizer or anyone who assisted with the completion of the document.
Step 6 – Include Additional Provisions
If there are additional items you wish to include regarding the governance of the LLC (not common), attach them in this section.
Step 7: Provide the Drafter’s Information
The drafter is the person who filled in the Articles of Organization. The drafter may also be an Organizer.
Step 8 – Delayed Effective Date
You have the option of having an effective date different from the date it is filed by the state of Wisconsin The effective date can be up to 90 days after the date of filing.
Step 9 – Sign the Articles of Organization
In step 9, one of the Organizers will need to sign the form.
Step 10 – Provide Contact Information
Enter the contact information of someone who should receive any updates from the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions should there be questions when filing the Articles.
Step 11 – Review the Articles of Organization
Review the information provided to insure everything is correct. If it is, click “Next.”
Step 12 – Pay & File the Articles of Organization
To finish the filing, enter your payment information and submit the Articles of Organization to the Department of Financial Institutions!
This material is property of StartingYourBusiness.com
Wisconsin LLC FAQs
How much does it cost to start an LLC in Wisconsin?
To start an LLC in Wisconsin, the state filing fee is $130 for online filings and $170 for filing by mail.
How long does it take for LLC in Wisconsin to get approved?
Wisconsin LLCs that are formed online are processed immediately, while mailed-in forms typically take 5-7 days for the state to approve.
Should I use an LLC formation service or do it myself?
Two of my top formation companies have a special offer where you can get your LLC formed without paying any additional fees (state fees still apply). Check out Zenbusiness and IncFile to learn more.
Who can be your registered agent in Wisconsin?
Anyone can be a registered agent provided they are over 18 years of age and will generally be at a listed address during normal business hours.
Does Wisconsin require an LLC to have an operating agreement?
Wisconsin LLC Statute Chapter 183 states that a Wisconsin LLC Operating Agreement is optional. Despite the Operating Agreement not being required, it is recommended to have one as it can help to prevent disputes among members and protect the LLC’s legal status.
Does an LLC need a business license in Wisconsin?
The requirements for business licenses and registrations in Wisconsin are based on what the business does and where it’s located and not on the business structure.
Here is a list of common business licenses in Wisconsin.
Do Wisconsin LLCs need an EIN?
Only Georgia LLCs that either have more than one member, will hire employees, or elect to be taxed as a partnership or corporation are required to get an Employer Identification Number (EIN).
The EIN or Employer Identification Number (also called a Federal Employer Identification Number or FEIN) is a unique 9-digit tax identification number that is assigned by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
If the LLC isn’t required to get an EIN (though you can still get one), the LLC will use the social security number of the business owner.
Related: How to Apply for an EIN
