Utah LLC vs Wyoming LLC (2026)
Compare Utah LLC vs Wyoming LLC — filing fees, taxes, privacy laws, and annual costs. Find out which state is actually better for your business.
| Factor | Utah | Wyoming |
|---|---|---|
| Filing Fee | $54 | $100 |
| Processing Time | 1 day(s) | 1 day(s) |
| Annual Report Fee | $18 | $62 |
| Annual Report Due | Anniversary month | Anniversary month |
| State Income Tax | Yes (flat 4.55%) | No |
| Anonymous LLC | No | Yes |
| Publication Requirement | No | No |
| Foreign LLC Cost (if forming out-of-state) | N/A — you're in your home state | ~$70 + registered agent ~$200/yr |
Verdict: Utah wins for most businesses
For most Utah-based small businesses, forming in Utah is significantly cheaper and simpler than Wyoming. Wyoming only makes financial sense for businesses needing complete anonymity or operating across multiple states with no clear home base.
Filing Fees & Formation Costs
Utah charges just $54 to form an LLC while Wyoming costs $100 — but that's only the beginning. If you form in Wyoming but operate in Utah, you'll also need to register as a foreign LLC in Utah (around $70) plus maintain a Wyoming registered agent ($150-300/year). This means Wyoming formation actually costs $220+ in the first year versus Utah's $54.
Taxes: Utah vs Wyoming
Wyoming has no state income tax, while Utah charges a flat 4.55% corporate income tax on LLC profits. However, forming in Wyoming doesn't eliminate Utah taxes — you'll still owe Utah income tax on business conducted in Utah. Wyoming's tax advantage only applies to income genuinely earned outside Utah, making it irrelevant for most Utah-based businesses.
Privacy & Asset Protection
Wyoming allows anonymous LLCs where member names aren't publicly disclosed, while Utah requires member information in public filings. Both states offer strong charging order protections for single-member and multi-member LLCs. Wyoming's privacy advantage is its main selling point, but it comes at a significant cost premium for Utah businesses.
Annual Maintenance Costs
Utah charges just $18 annually for its report, while Wyoming charges $62. For Utah businesses formed in Wyoming, you'll pay Wyoming's $62 plus a registered agent fee (~$200/year) plus potential Utah foreign LLC annual fees. Total ongoing costs in Wyoming can exceed $260/year versus Utah's $18 — over 14 times more expensive.
When Wyoming Actually Makes Sense
Wyoming formation makes sense for businesses requiring complete member anonymity, multi-state operations with no clear home base, or when investors specifically require Wyoming formation. For typical Utah small businesses — restaurants, consulting firms, local services — the extra cost and complexity isn't justified. The tax savings don't materialize since Utah income remains taxable regardless of formation state.