Form your company in West Virginia

Why form an LLC in West Virginia?

West Virginia is a sensible, low-cost choice mainly if you live or actually operate there. For a remote or non-US founder with no West Virginia footprint, it offers no special advantage over Wyoming or New Mexico and puts owner names on the public record.

A quick reminder from us: forming in a state where you do not actually operate usually means you still have to register (foreign-qualify) in your home state, often with little or no tax benefit. If you are unsure, tell us how you plan to operate and we will recommend the right fit — free.

Costs and fees

The West Virginia Secretary of State charges roughly $100 to file Articles of Organization, with an ongoing state cost of about $25/yr report (due Jun 30). Personal income tax applies (recently reduced, roughly 2.2%–4.8% brackets for 2025); ~6% state sales tax; no separate franchise tax on LLCs. State fees are paid directly to the state and are separate from our service fee.

• Filing fee: $100 (approximate)
• Ongoing state cost: $25/yr report (due Jun 30)
• Typical processing time: 5–10 business days online

Taxes and privacy

Personal state income tax in West Virginia: Yes. Owner privacy on the public record is generally rated low.

Your federal tax obligations (and your EIN) are the same regardless of the state you choose — a single-member LLC is taxed as a pass-through by default, and we can obtain your EIN even if you do not have an SSN.

Pros of forming in West Virginia

• Low, straightforward costs: $100 to file and just $25 for the annual report
• Simple online filing through the One Stop Business Portal
• Reasonable for founders who genuinely live or do business in West Virginia (avoids foreign-qualifying elsewhere)
• Recent phased personal income-tax cuts have lowered West Virginia's individual rates

Things to weigh

• Member and manager names/addresses are required on the Articles of Organization, so owner information is public — weak privacy versus Wyoming or New Mexico
• West Virginia levies a personal income tax, so in-state resident owners are taxed on pass-through income
• A one-time $30 Business Registration Certificate is required in addition to the filing fee
• No real upside for a non-resident with no West Virginia operations

Banking for your West Virginia LLC

Banking is not restricted by forming in West Virginia — a WV LLC can open a US account with national banks or fintechs regardless of state. Because WV lists owners publicly, there is no added anonymity to preserve at the bank; standard beneficial-owner KYC applies as everywhere.

Whichever state you choose, we prepare the documents banks ask for and can obtain your EIN even without an SSN. Bank and provider approval is always their decision — we are not affiliated with any bank.

Is West Virginia right for you?

Best for: Founders operating in West Virginia. If you operate physically in West Virginia, forming here keeps things simple. If you are a remote or non-US founder without a specific reason to choose West Virginia, a low-cost, privacy-friendly state like Wyoming or New Mexico is often the better default.

Not sure? Start your application and we will confirm the best state for your situation before anything is filed.