Wyoming vs Mississippi LLC for Non-Residents: Full Comparison

How do Wyoming and Mississippi LLCs compare at a glance?

Wyoming is the better choice for non-residents on 7 out of 10 comparison factors. Mississippi wins on formation fee ($50 vs $100), annual report fee ($0 vs $60), and has a $0 tax rate on the first $10,000 of income. Wyoming wins on income tax (0% vs 5% over $10K), privacy, asset protection, processing speed, and non-resident infrastructure.

Both states allow non-residents to form LLCs without a Social Security Number, US address, or visa. Mississippi's $50 formation fee and $0/year annual report make it the cheapest state for LLC filing fees in this comparison. However, Mississippi's 5% income tax on income over $10,000 means any LLC earning more than $13,200/year pays more total in Mississippi than in Wyoming (the $110/year fee difference divided by 5% = $2,200 + $10,000 threshold = $12,200 breakeven).

Side-by-Side Quick Comparison

How do formation fees compare between Wyoming and Mississippi?

Mississippi charges $50 for LLC formation, $50 less than Wyoming's $100. Mississippi has one of the lowest formation fees in the country. The $50 savings is a one-time benefit.

Wyoming Formation Process

Wyoming LLC formation requires filing Articles of Organization with the Wyoming Secretary of State for $100. Online submission through sos.wyo.gov. Processing takes 1-3 business days. No member names required. Expedited options: $50 (24-hour) and $100 (same-day).

Mississippi Formation Process

Mississippi LLC formation requires filing a Certificate of Formation with the Mississippi Secretary of State for $50. Online submission is available through the Mississippi Secretary of State website at sos.ms.gov. The Certificate of Formation requires: LLC name, registered agent name and Mississippi street address, the names and addresses of members or managers, the purpose of the LLC, and the organizer information. Mississippi processes filings in 3-5 business days.

What are the annual costs for Wyoming vs Mississippi LLCs?

Wyoming charges $60/year for the annual report. Mississippi charges $0/year (no annual report required for LLCs). Mississippi saves $60/year on filing fees, but Mississippi imposes a franchise tax and income tax that Wyoming does not have.

Mississippi does not require annual reports from LLCs. Once formed, a Mississippi LLC remains active without filing annual paperwork, similar to Minnesota. This is an administrative convenience. However, Mississippi does impose a franchise tax of $2.50 per $1,000 of capital employed in Mississippi (minimum $25) on LLCs taxed as corporations.

When income taxes are factored in, the picture changes. An LLC earning $100,000 in Mississippi-sourced income pays $4,500 in state income tax (0% on first $10K, 5% on remaining $90K) on top of $0 filing fees. The same LLC in Wyoming pays $60 total.

How do state taxes differ between Wyoming and Mississippi?

Wyoming has no state income tax, no corporate income tax, and no franchise tax. Mississippi imposes a graduated individual income tax (0% first $10K, 5% over $10K), a 5% corporate income tax, a franchise tax, and a 7% state sales tax.

Wyoming Tax Environment

Wyoming is one of seven states with no state income tax. The only state cost is the $60 annual report. Learn about Wyoming LLC benefits.

Mississippi Tax Environment

• Individual income tax: Mississippi recently reformed its income tax. The first $10,000 of taxable income is tax-free (0%). Income over $10,000 is taxed at a flat 5%. Mississippi eliminated its lower brackets in recent reforms and is phasing toward a single-rate structure.
• Corporate income tax: LLCs taxed as corporations pay a flat 5% on taxable income.
• Franchise tax: Mississippi imposes a franchise tax of $2.50 per $1,000 of capital employed in Mississippi, with a minimum tax of $25. This applies to corporations and LLCs taxed as corporations.
• State sales tax: 7% on retail sales, one of the highest state sales tax rates in the country. Some cities add local option sales taxes.
• Property tax: Mississippi has below-average property taxes (average effective rate 0.79%).

Which state offers better privacy for LLC owners?

Wyoming offers significantly better privacy. Wyoming does not require member names in public filings. Mississippi requires member or manager names in the Certificate of Formation, making ownership public from day one.

Wyoming Privacy Protections

Wyoming's Articles require only LLC name, registered agent, organizer, and effective date. No member or manager names in public records. The Secretary of State database shows only LLC name, registered agent, and status.

Mississippi Privacy Protections

Mississippi's Certificate of Formation requires member or manager names and addresses. This information is part of the public record and searchable through the Mississippi Secretary of State's online business search. For non-residents who value privacy, this is a significant disadvantage.

Which state provides stronger asset protection for single-member LLCs?

Wyoming provides explicitly stronger asset protection through Wyoming Statute §17-29-503, which makes the charging order the exclusive remedy for creditors. Mississippi does not provide the same explicit protection for single-member LLCs.

Wyoming Charging Order Protection

Wyoming's charging order is the sole and exclusive remedy. A creditor cannot seize LLC assets, force distributions, compel liquidation, or foreclose on the member's interest. This protection explicitly covers single-member LLCs. Learn about Wyoming LLC asset protection.

Mississippi Asset Protection

Mississippi's LLC Act (Mississippi Code Title 79, Chapter 29) provides charging order protection but does not explicitly state it is the exclusive remedy for single-member LLCs. Mississippi courts have not definitively ruled on this question. This creates uncertainty for single-member LLC owners who rely on the LLC structure for asset protection.

What are the registered agent requirements in each state?

Both states require a registered agent with a physical street address.

Wyoming Registered Agent

Wyoming agents cost $25-$100/year with many providers and bundled services. Learn about Wyoming LLC costs.

Mississippi Registered Agent

Mississippi agents cost $50-$150/year with fewer providers serving non-residents.

How do Wyoming and Mississippi LLCs compare for banking and Stripe access?

Both states provide identical access to US banking and Stripe. Mercury Bank, Relay Bank, and Wise Business accept LLCs from both states. Stripe rates are 2.9% + $0.30 for both. The EIN process is identical (fax Form SS-4, 4-8 weeks). Read the full guide on Wyoming LLC for non-residents.

What is the 5-year total cost comparison?

A Wyoming LLC costs $525-$900 over 5 years. A Mississippi LLC costs $300-$800 in fees alone. Mississippi's 5% income tax on income over $10,000 adds thousands for profitable LLCs.

Wyoming LLC 5-Year Cost

Mississippi LLC 5-Year Cost

Cost Comparison With Income Tax Impact

At $0 to $10,000 income, Mississippi is cheaper by $100-$225 over 5 years. Above $10,000, Wyoming's zero-tax advantage saves thousands to tens of thousands. See Wyoming LLC cost guide.

Which state should you choose for your LLC?

Wyoming is the better choice for non-residents who expect to earn more than $12,200/year from their LLC. Mississippi is cheaper only for LLCs that expect to earn $10,000/year or less permanently.

Choose Wyoming If

• You are a non-US resident forming a US LLC
• You expect the LLC to earn more than $10,000/year
• You want zero state income tax at any revenue level
• Privacy is important
• You want explicit single-member charging order protection
• You want faster processing and more registered agent options

Choose Mississippi If

• You are a Mississippi resident with local operations
• Your business has employees or an office in Mississippi
• You want the lowest possible filing fees and expect under $10,000/year income permanently

Recommendation for Non-Residents

Non-residents should form a Wyoming LLC unless they are certain the LLC will never earn more than $10,000/year. Mississippi's filing fee savings of $110 in year one and $60/year after are eliminated by its 5% income tax on income above $10,000. Wyoming provides zero state income tax at any level, better privacy, stronger asset protection, and the most established non-resident LLC infrastructure in the country. Read the complete guide at Best State for Non-Resident LLC Formation.