Wyoming C-Corporation in United States
C-Corp · Formation from $100
Last verified: June 10, 2026
Corporate Tax
21.0%
State Tax
0.0%
Formation Cost
$100
Annual Fee
$60
Comparison Scores
Privacy, remote setup, banking, and tax efficiency
Calculate full formation cost
Break down one-time filing fees and recurring costs for any supported entity type.
Who Should Choose This?
Profiles that typically benefit from this entity
- Non-US residents looking for a cost-effective way to enter the US market and open a US bank account.
- E-commerce businesses and digital service providers who want to minimize state-level corporate taxes.
- Founders who prioritize privacy and do not want their names listed on public state business registries.
- Entrepreneurs planning to reinvest profits back into the business rather than distributing them as dividends.
Who Should Avoid This?
Scenarios where another structure may be better
- High-growth tech startups planning to raise institutional venture capital (VCs strongly prefer Delaware).
- Small business owners who want to avoid double taxation and would benefit more from pass-through taxation (like an LLC).
- Businesses with a physical storefront or employees in another US state, as they will face foreign qualification costs.
Advantages
- +No state corporate income tax, significantly reducing the overall tax burden compared to other states.
- +Low maintenance costs with a minimum annual report fee of just $60.
- +Strong privacy protections, as director and shareholder names are not required on the public state registry.
- +Highly business-friendly legal environment with robust asset protection laws.
- +No minimum capital requirement to incorporate, making it accessible for bootstrapped startups.
- +Shares can be easily transferred, issued, or sold to raise capital from investors.
Disadvantages
- -Subject to double taxation at the federal level (corporate profits and shareholder dividends).
- -Venture capital investors generally prefer Delaware C-Corporations over Wyoming.
- -Mandatory federal Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) reporting to FinCEN.
- -Requires maintaining a registered agent with a physical address in Wyoming.
- -If operating physically in another US state, you must register as a foreign entity and pay additional fees in that state.
Formation Steps
Choose a unique company name that complies with Wyoming naming rules and includes a corporate designator (e.g., Inc., Corp.).
Appoint a Registered Agent with a physical address in Wyoming to receive legal documents.
File the Articles of Incorporation with the Wyoming Secretary of State and pay the $100 filing fee.
Draft corporate bylaws, issue stock to initial shareholders, and hold the first board of directors meeting.
Obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
File the mandatory Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) report with FinCEN within the required timeframe.
Open a US business bank account to separate corporate finances from personal assets.
Obtain any necessary local business licenses or permits depending on your industry and physical location.
Cost Breakdown
Detailed breakdown of formation and ongoing costs
| Item | Type | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| State filing fee | One-time | $100 |
| Registered Agent fee | Annual | $50 |
| EIN Application (IRS) | One-time | $0 |
| Wyoming Annual Report fee | Annual | $60 |
| First year total | $150 | |
| Annual ongoing | $110 | |
Real-World Examples
Typical use cases for this entity type
- A European SaaS founder incorporates a Wyoming C-Corp to access Stripe and US banking, keeping state taxes at 0% while reinvesting all profits into software development.
- An Amazon FBA seller based in Asia uses a Wyoming C-Corp to hold their seller account, benefiting from low annual fees and strong asset protection.
- A digital marketing agency with remote contractors worldwide chooses a Wyoming C-Corp for its privacy features and straightforward corporate structure without the high franchise taxes of other states.
Common Mistakes
Pitfalls to avoid during setup and operations
- Failing to file the mandatory FinCEN BOI report within the required timeframe, risking severe federal penalties.
- Mixing personal and corporate funds, which can pierce the corporate veil and destroy limited liability protection.
- Forgetting to file the $60 Wyoming Annual Report, leading to administrative dissolution of the company.
- Assuming a Wyoming C-Corp avoids all US taxes; federal corporate tax (21%) still applies to all net profits.
- Operating physically in another state (like California or New York) without registering the Wyoming C-Corp as a foreign entity there.
Other entity types
Other formation options in United States
Compare with Other Countries
| Country / Type | Tax | Formation | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🇺🇸 Wyoming C-Corporation(C-Corp) | 21.0% | $100 | $60 |
FAQ
Do I need to live in the US to form a Wyoming C-Corporation?
No, non-US residents can form and own a Wyoming C-Corporation. There are no citizenship or residency requirements for directors or shareholders.
What is the corporate tax rate for a Wyoming C-Corp?
Wyoming has a 0% state corporate income tax rate. However, the corporation is still subject to the 21% federal corporate tax rate.
How much does it cost to maintain a Wyoming C-Corp annually?
The state requires an annual report with a minimum fee of $60 (or $0.0002 per dollar of in-state assets if higher). You will also need to pay your registered agent's annual fee.
Does Wyoming protect the privacy of C-Corp owners?
Yes, Wyoming does not require the names of shareholders or directors to be listed on the public state registry. However, you must still disclose beneficial owners to the federal government via FinCEN.
Can a Wyoming C-Corp raise venture capital?
Yes, but venture capital firms and angel investors typically prefer Delaware C-Corporations due to Delaware's established corporate case law.
Do I need a US bank account for my Wyoming C-Corp?
Yes, a US business bank account is highly recommended to process USD payments and maintain the corporate veil. This can often be opened remotely via fintech platforms.
What is double taxation in a C-Corporation?
Double taxation means the corporation pays a 21% federal tax on its net profits, and then shareholders pay personal income tax on any dividends distributed to them.
How long does it take to form a Wyoming C-Corporation?
The state typically processes online filings within 1 to 3 business days. However, obtaining an EIN for non-US residents without an SSN can take several weeks.
Detailed Tax Rates
Corporate Income Tax
| From | To | Rate |
|---|
The US federal corporate income tax rate is a flat 21%. Wyoming does not levy a state corporate income tax, making the combined rate 21%.
Personal Income Tax (Top rate: 37.0%)
| From | To | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | $11,600 | 10.0% |
| $11,601 | $47,150 | 12.0% |
| $47,151 | $100,525 | 22.0% |
| $100,526 | $191,950 | 24.0% |
| $191,951 | $243,725 | 32.0% |
| $243,726 | $609,350 | 35.0% |
| $609,351 | No limit | 37.0% |
The US federal personal income tax is progressive with a top marginal rate of 37%. Wyoming does not levy a state personal income tax.
Capital Gains Tax
20.0%
Long-term capital gains (assets held over a year) are taxed at 0%, 15%, or 20% depending on taxable income. Short-term gains are taxed as ordinary income.
VAT / GST
4.0%
The US does not have a federal VAT or GST. Wyoming imposes a 4% state sales tax, and local jurisdictions may add up to 2% for a maximum combined rate of 6%.
Withholding Tax
The standard US withholding tax rate on dividends, royalties, and interest paid to non-resident aliens is 30%. This rate can be significantly reduced or eliminated under an applicable double taxation treaty.
Payroll & Social Security
FICA taxes consist of a 6.2% Social Security tax and a 1.45% Medicare tax, paid equally by both the employer and the employee. An additional 0.9% Medicare tax applies to high earners.
Other Taxes
Wyoming Annual Report Fee
Wyoming requires an annual report fee of $60 or $0.0002 per dollar of in-state assets if total assets exceed $300,000.
Corporate Alternative Minimum Tax (CAMT)
A 15% minimum tax applies to the adjusted financial statement income of large corporations with over $1 billion in average annual gross receipts.
Formation Requirements
Minimum Capital
No requirement
No minimum capital requirement.
Local Director
Not Required
Directors can be of any nationality and reside anywhere.
Registered Office
Required
Virtual office allowed. $30 - $150 per year
Notarization Required
No
Power of Attorney (Remote)
Not Required
A registered agent can act as the organizer to file documents on your behalf without a formal Power of Attorney.
Timeline
Standard: 1-3 days days
Required Documents
Compliance & Reporting
Annual Filings
Audit Requirement
Not Required
No statutory audit requirement for private C-Corporations.
Accounting Standard
US GAAP
Tax Return Deadline
April 15 (or the 15th day of the 4th month following the end of the tax year)
VAT Filing Frequency
N/A
Data Protection
No comprehensive state-level data privacy law; subject to federal regulations and industry-specific laws.
Banking & Payments
Mercury
Remote-friendlyHighly popular among tech startups and non-resident founders. Offers remote account opening with no monthly fees.
Relay
Remote-friendlyExcellent for multiple accounts and team collaboration. Fully supports remote opening for foreign-owned US entities.
Wise Business
Remote-friendlyIdeal for multi-currency operations and international wire transfers with low exchange rate fees.
Revolut Business
Remote-friendlyProvides corporate cards and multi-currency accounts, though availability may depend on the founder's country of residence.
Payment Gateways
Stripe, PayPal, Square, Paddle, Braintree
Currency
USD
Multi-Currency: Supported
Account Opening
Opening a traditional brick-and-mortar bank account in the US as a non-resident is extremely difficult due to strict KYC/AML laws requiring an in-person visit. However, fintech platforms like Mercury and Relay specialize in remote account opening for US entities with foreign founders. You will typically need your EIN, formation documents, and a valid passport.
Practical Information
Timezone
UTC-7 (Mountain Time)
Business Language
English
Legal System
Common law
Ease of Doing Business
#6
IP Protection
The US offers one of the strongest intellectual property protection systems globally through the USPTO. Patents, trademarks, and copyrights are strictly enforced at both federal and state levels.
Double Tax Treaties
68 countries
Notable treaties: United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, Japan, Australia, France
Visa & Residency Options
E-2 Treaty Investor Visa
Allows entrepreneurs from treaty countries to enter and work in the US based on a substantial investment in a US business.
L-1A Intracompany Transferee Visa
Enables a foreign company to transfer an executive or manager to its US office or to establish a new affiliated US office.
O-1 Extraordinary Ability Visa
Designed for individuals with extraordinary ability in business, science, education, or athletics who have sustained national or international acclaim.
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Changelog
Data updates and changes on this page
Updated Wyoming C-Corporation formation steps, 2026 tax rates, and compliance requirements.
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