How Wisconsin compares
Ranked against the other 49 states on the figures we hold. Rates that combine state and local components — sales tax, the minimum wage where it varies by region — are shown on this page but not ranked, because a single number would misstate them.
| Figure | WI | Nationally | In its region |
|---|---|---|---|
| PopulationUS Census Bureau, Vintage 2025 estimates, July 1, 2025 | 5,972,787 | 21st highest of 50 | 6 of 12 |
| GDP ($bn)Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2025 | 473 | 21st highest of 50 | 6 of 12 |
| Median household incomeUS Census Bureau, ACS 2024 1-year, 2024 | $77,488 | 28th highest of 50 | 4 of 12 |
| Unemployment rateBureau of Labor Statistics, LAUS (seasonally adjusted, preliminary), September 2026 | 3.2% | tied 9th lowest of 50 | 4 of 12 |
| Foreign-born shareUS Census Bureau, ACS 2024 1-year, 2024 | 5.5% | tied 37th highest of 50 | 8 of 12 |
| Property tax ratechecked Nov 2026; confirm with the Wisconsin legislature | 1.51% | 42nd lowest of 50 | 10 of 12 |
| Deposit return window (days)checked Nov 2026; confirm with the Wisconsin legislature | 21 | tied 11th lowest of 50 | 2 of 12 |
| Eviction notice (days)checked Nov 2026; confirm with the Wisconsin legislature | 5 | tied 23rd highest of 50 | 4 of 12 |
| Final pay deadline (days)checked Nov 2026; confirm with the Wisconsin legislature | 31 | 29th lowest of the 29 states that set one | 8 of 8 |
- State income tax: yes41 of 50 states answer the same way
- At-will employment: yesthe same in all 50 states — it does not set Wisconsin apart
- Paid sick leave required: no30 of 50 states answer the same way
- Paid family leave: no38 of 50 states answer the same way
- Workers' comp required: yes49 of 50 states answer the same way
- Rent control permitted: no46 of 50 states answer the same way
- Annual report required: yes43 of 50 states answer the same way
Statistical figures: US Census Bureau, Vintage 2025 estimates (July 1, 2025) · US Census Bureau, ACS 2024 1-year (2024) · Bureau of Economic Analysis (2025) · Bureau of Labor Statistics, LAUS (seasonally adjusted, preliminary) (September 2026) · SBA Office of Advocacy, 2025 Small Business Profiles (2025). Tax, wage, business and tenancy figures are recorded from state sources and were last checked on 2026-11-05 — confirm anything you are about to act on with the Wisconsin legislature.
How long you have in Wisconsin
The periods that decide whether something is on time. Days are calendar days unless the underlying rule says otherwise.
- Return a security deposit within
- 21 days
- Eviction notice before filing
- 5 days
- Final paycheck within
- 31 days
- LLC formation processed in
- 5-7 business days
- Overtime starts after
- 40 hrs/week
AI Legal Insights — Wisconsin
AI-generated · Updated July 2026
Wisconsin operates under an at-will employment doctrine, meaning employers and employees can generally terminate the relationship at any time for any lawful reason. The state's legal framework is characterized by a tiered income tax structure and specific statutory requirements for business entity formation.
With a robust small business sector of approximately 460,000 entities and a low unemployment rate of 2.7%, Wisconsin offers a stable economic environment. The state maintains a competitive landscape with an LLC filing fee of $130 and a moderate average sales tax.
The foreign-born population in Wisconsin accounts for approximately 5.0% of the total population. This demographic contributes to the state's diverse workforce and evolving economic landscape.
- ›Ensure all employment agreements clearly outline at-will status to mitigate litigation risks.
- ›Verify compliance with state-specific tax obligations, including the tiered income tax rates.
- ›Include clear clauses regarding sales tax application to comply with the 5.43% average rate.
AI-generated insights · Verify with a licensed attorney before relying on this information.
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Employment Laws
Wisconsin labor regulations
Wisconsin is an at-will employment state that follows the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hr, and state law bars cities and counties from setting a higher local rate. Wisconsin does not require paid sick leave or paid family leave, but its own Family and Medical Leave Act provides short periods of unpaid, job-protected leave at employers with 50+ employees. Workers' compensation is required for employers with three or more employees. Final paychecks are due by the next regular payday, and no later than 31 days after separation.
| Law | WI Rule | Federal Floor |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Wage | $7.25/hr (matches federal floor); tipped employees $2.33/hr cash wage | $7.25/hr |
| Overtime | After 40 hrs/week at 1.5× rate | FLSA: after 40 hrs/week |
| Paid Sick Leave | No statewide mandate; local sick leave ordinances are preempted by state law | None (federal) |
| Family & Medical Leave | Wisconsin FMLA: unpaid, job-protected leave (up to 6 weeks for birth or adoption, 2 weeks for a family member's or own serious health condition) at employers with 50+ employees | FMLA: 12 weeks unpaid |
| Workers Comp | Mandatory for employers with 3+ employees, or with 1+ employee paid $500 or more in a calendar quarter | Federal employees: yes |
| At-Will Employment | Yes; limited exceptions for public policy violations | Default nationwide |
| Final Paycheck | By the next regular payday, and no later than 31 days after separation | Next regular payday |
| Meal Breaks | Required for minors under 18 (30 minutes for shifts over 6 hours); recommended but generally not required for adults | No federal requirement |
| Mass Layoff Notice | Employers with 50+ employees must give 60 days' notice of a business closing or mass layoff | Federal WARN: 100+ employees, 60 days |
- State law prevents local governments from adopting their own minimum wage or paid sick leave ordinances, which ended Milwaukee's voter-approved sick leave ordinance.
- The Wisconsin Family and Medical Leave Act provides up to 6 weeks of unpaid leave for the birth or adoption of a child and up to 2 weeks each for a family member's or the employee's own serious health condition; it can run at the same time as federal FMLA.
- Non-compete agreements are enforceable only if reasonably necessary to protect the employer and reasonable in time and territory; courts will not rewrite an unreasonable covenant, so it is void in its entirety.
- Wisconsin has its own business closing and mass layoff notice law, requiring employers with 50 or more employees in the state to give 60 days' notice.
- The Wisconsin Fair Employment Act prohibits discrimination based on age (40+), race, creed, color, disability, marital status, sex, national origin, ancestry, arrest or conviction record, military service, sexual orientation, and other characteristics.
Sources: U.S. Department of Labor state minimum wage table · state labor agencies (checked Nov 2026)
Landlord-Tenant Laws
Wisconsin rental regulations
Wisconsin landlord-tenant law is largely landlord-friendly, with detailed consumer-protection rules in the state's administrative code (ATCP 134). There is no limit on security deposits, but landlords must return the deposit within 21 days with an itemized statement of deductions. Rent control is prohibited statewide. Eviction for non-payment of rent generally starts with a 5-day written notice to pay or vacate.
| Topic | WI Rule |
|---|---|
| Security Deposit | No statutory limit on the amount |
| Deposit Return | Within 21 days after the tenant moves out, with an itemized statement of deductions; wrongful withholding can lead to double damages plus attorney fees |
| Rent Control | Prohibited statewide; municipalities cannot enact rent control ordinances |
| Eviction Notice (Non-Payment) | 5-day written notice to pay rent or vacate before filing for eviction (14-day notice may apply in some situations, such as a repeat failure to pay under a lease) |
| Eviction Notice (Lease Violation) | 5-day notice to cure or vacate for a first violation; 14-day notice without a right to cure for a repeat violation within 12 months |
| Month-to-Month Termination | At least 28 days' written notice by either party |
| Habitability | Landlord must keep the premises in a reasonable state of repair and comply with local housing codes |
| ATCP 134 Disclosures | Before the lease is signed, the landlord must disclose code violations, nonstandard rental provisions, and how the deposit may be used; tenants have 7 days to submit a check-in sheet noting existing damage |
| Retaliation Protection | Landlord may not evict, raise rent, or reduce services because a tenant reported housing code violations |
Both landlords and tenants have enforceable rights under Wisconsin law. Document all communications and keep copies of your lease agreement. Use AI review to spot risky clauses before signing.
Starting a Business
Wisconsin LLC formation guide
Wisconsin's economy is built on manufacturing, agriculture (especially dairy), and health care. The corporate income tax rate is 7.9%, individual rates range from 3.5% to 7.65%, and the state sales tax is 5% (about 5.72% on average with local taxes). Forming an LLC costs $130 online, and the annual report is $25. The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) runs grant, tax credit, and loan programs. Wisconsin has about 497,000 small businesses, which employ 48% of the private workforce.
Step-by-step LLC formation
- 1Choose a business name — must include "LLC", "L.L.C.", or "Limited Liability Company"; check availability with the Department of Financial Institutions (DFI)
- 2File Articles of Organization with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) online
- 3Pay the $130 LLC formation fee (online filing; paper filing costs more)
- 4Designate a registered agent — must have a physical Wisconsin street address and be available during normal business hours
- 5Get an EIN from the IRS — free at irs.gov; required for banking, hiring, and state tax registration
- 6Register with the Wisconsin Department of Revenue (revenue.wi.gov) for sales and use tax and withholding tax as applicable
- 7File the annual report each year with DFI — $25, due by the end of the calendar quarter in which the LLC was formed
- 8Open a business bank account using your EIN and filed Articles of Organization
- 9Check local license requirements with your city or county clerk; Wisconsin has no statewide general business license
- 10Explore WEDC programs at wedc.org for available grants, tax credits, and financing
Every LLC also needs a free EIN from the IRS (Form SS-4). Apply online at irs.gov — takes about 15 minutes and is required to open a business bank account.
Popular IRS Forms
Most-filed federal forms for Wisconsin taxpayers
Fill these out online with plain-English guidance — every field explained, no accountant required. Download as a ready-to-file PDF when done.
The main annual federal income tax return every taxpayer files.
Fill out free →Give your SSN or EIN to a client before getting paid as a contractor.
Fill out free →Report $600+ paid to independent contractors during the year.
Fill out free →Tell your employer how much federal tax to withhold from pay.
Fill out free →Report income and expenses from a sole proprietorship or LLC.
Fill out free →Report payroll taxes withheld from employees each quarter.
Fill out free →Get an automatic 6-month extension to file your 1040.
Fill out free →The year-end wage statement employers issue to each employee.
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Federal Offices
United States government offices in Wisconsin
Walk-in assistance by appointment only. Call (844) 545-5640 to schedule, or book online at irs.gov.
Free Legal Aid
Wisconsin legal assistance organizations
These organizations provide free or reduced-cost civil legal services to qualifying Wisconsin residents.
Free civil legal services for low-income residents in southern Wisconsin
Civil legal aid for low-income residents in northern and central Wisconsin
Legal assistance for Milwaukee-area residents facing housing and benefits issues
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