Short answer: comparing Wyoming vs Delaware vs New Mexico, for most non-resident freelancers, agencies and online sellers, Wyoming is the best balance of low cost, privacy and simple yearly filing. Delaware makes sense mainly if you plan to raise money from US investors. New Mexico is the cheapest to start and has no annual report, but it is less familiar to some banks and platforms.
Wyoming vs Delaware vs New Mexico: the numbers
| Wyoming | Delaware | New Mexico | |
|---|---|---|---|
| State filing fee | $100 | $110 | $50 |
| Yearly state cost | Annual report, from $60 | Annual LLC tax, $400 from the 2026 tax year | No annual report |
| Yearly due date | First day of your anniversary month | 1 June | — |
| Owner names in public filing | No | No | No |
| Registered agent required | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Best for | Most non-residents | Startups raising US venture capital | Lowest cost, small side businesses |
Delaware raised its annual LLC tax from $300 to $400 under House Bill 400. The new amount applies from the 2026 tax year, so most LLCs pay $400 on 1 June 2027.
Wyoming
Wyoming has a $100 filing fee, a yearly report from $60, and fast online filing. Members are not listed in the public Articles of Organization. If the annual report is more than 60 days late, the state can dissolve the LLC, so reminders matter.
Delaware
Delaware’s business courts and corporate law are well known to US investors and lawyers. That matters if you plan a C-Corp and outside funding. For a one-person LLC with no investors, you pay more every year and gain very little.
New Mexico
New Mexico charges $50 to file and requires no annual report. It is popular with people who want the lowest running cost. You still need a registered agent every year, and some providers ask more questions about New Mexico LLCs simply because they see fewer of them.
Our approach: we form in Wyoming by default because it is cheap to keep, private and well known to banks and marketplaces. If you have a specific reason for Delaware or New Mexico, tell us and we will file there instead.
Want us to set this up for you?
USA LLC from $140 or UK Ltd from £150, plus government fees. Pay 50% now, 50% when your documents arrive.
Costs other than the state fee
- Registered agent — required in every state, every year. Our packages include it for the first year.
- US tax filing — Form 5472 with a pro-forma 1120 is required every year for a foreign-owned single-member LLC in any state. See Form 5472 explained.
- Business address and phone — often needed for banking. Our Standard package includes both for 12 months.
Frequently asked questions
Does the state change my US taxes?
Not for a foreign-owned single-member LLC. Federal filing rules are the same in all three states. Wyoming and New Mexico have no state income tax on the LLC in the typical non-resident case. Delaware has its annual LLC tax.
Can I move my LLC to another state later?
Often yes, through a process called domestication or conversion, but it costs money and paperwork. It is cheaper to choose well at the start.
Is Wyoming accepted by Amazon and Stripe?
Yes. The state does not decide approval — the platform reviews you and your business. Wyoming LLCs are widely used for both.
