Delaware or Wyoming: where should you start a business?

Delaware: No Delaware income tax is due where no business is done in the state, but annual franchise tax applies. There is no state sales tax. Wyoming: Companies taxed as corporations pay the 21% federal rate, as in any other state. Wyoming has no state corporate income tax, and sales tax is 4%.

Delaware: A corporation's filing fee starts at US$109. No standard processing time is published, but paid services offer 24-hour, same-day and faster filing. Wyoming: Online filings take effect immediately, and formation costs US$100. The annual report licence tax starts at US$60 and rises with Wyoming assets.

Delaware: Every company must keep a registered agent with a Delaware address, and no director needs to live in the state. There is no minimum capital. Wyoming: Every company needs a registered agent with a physical Wyoming address. Directors need not be Wyoming residents unless the articles require it.

Delaware: Under FinCEN's final rule, effective 14 August 2026, companies formed in the United States are exempt. Only foreign companies registered there still report. Wyoming: There is no beneficial ownership register for US-formed companies, and a FinCEN rule effective 14 August 2026 exempts them from reporting.

Delaware: Owning a company confers no residence. The E-2 visa is limited to treaty nationals, and the EB-5 requires an investment from US$800,000. Wyoming: Owning a company gives no residence. Treaty nationals can use the E-2 visa, and EB-5 starts at US$800,000 in a targeted employment area.