Delaware LLC Prices Are Increasing: Why Wyoming Looks Even Stronger for Non-US Founders
Delaware has long been one of the most famous US states for company formation.
But famous does not always mean best.
In 2026, Delaware is increasing several state fees. For non-US founders, freelancers, consultants, online businesses and small international companies, this makes the Delaware vs Wyoming decision even more important.
If you were already considering a US LLC, this is a good moment to review your setup — before choosing a state simply because “everybody talks about Delaware.”
Table of Contents
- Delaware LLC costs are changing in 2026
- What exactly is increasing in Delaware?
- Why this matters for non-US founders
- Delaware is not always the default choice
- Wyoming LLC vs Delaware LLC: the practical cost angle
- When Delaware may still make sense
- Why Wyoming is often stronger for simple non-US setups
- Ready to start your Wyoming LLC?
- Final thoughts
Delaware LLC costs are changing in 2026
Delaware House Bill 400 was signed on May 21, 2026. The law changes various fees and taxes administered by the Delaware Secretary of State. Most fee changes take effect on August 1, 2026, while certain annual tax changes for LLCs, limited partnerships and partnerships apply from January 1, 2026.
For Delaware LLCs, the key change is simple:
The annual LLC tax is increasing from $300 to $400.
That may not sound dramatic at first.
But for small, lean, international setups, recurring state costs matter. Especially if the LLC is mainly used as an operational vehicle for invoicing, banking readiness, payment providers and international client work.
What exactly is increasing in Delaware?
Here are some of the key changes relevant for many business owners:
| Delaware item | Old amount | New amount |
|---|---|---|
| LLC annual tax | $300 | $400 |
| LP annual tax | $300 | $400 |
| Registered Series annual tax | $75 | $100 |
| LLP / LLLP annual tax per partner | $200 | $300 |
| Foreign corporation annual report filing | $125 | $250 |
| Foreign corporation late penalty | $125 | $200 |
The Delaware law text confirms the annual tax increase for domestic and foreign LLCs registered to do business in Delaware from $300 to $400, and the annual tax for each registered series from $75 to $100. It also confirms the increase for foreign corporation annual report filings from $125 to $250 and the related late penalty from $125 to $200.
For founders closing or dissolving entities, the practical timing can also matter. Registered agents are already warning that Delaware dissolutions after August 1, 2026 may need to account for the new annual tax amount where applicable. Before dissolving or changing an existing Delaware entity, always confirm the exact current amount with Delaware or your registered agent.
Why this matters for non-US founders
For many European and non-US founders, the question is not:
“Which state is the most famous?”
The better question is:
“Which state makes sense for my actual setup?”
If you are building a venture-backed startup, planning a Delaware C-Corp, issuing investor shares or working with US legal counsel for a fundraising round, Delaware may still be relevant.
But if you are a freelancer, consultant, agency owner, online business, creator, IT contractor or digital founder, your needs may be more practical:
You want a clean US LLC setup.
You want EIN application support.
You want documents that make sense.
You want banking and payment provider readiness.
You want annual admin that is manageable.
And you probably do not want unnecessary recurring state costs.
That is where Wyoming often becomes the more practical option.
Delaware is not always the default choice
Delaware has a strong reputation because many large companies, VC-backed startups and corporations use it.
But that reputation does not automatically make Delaware the best fit for every non-US founder.
For a simple LLC setup, Delaware can be more expensive to maintain than Wyoming. With the Delaware LLC annual tax moving to $400, the difference becomes even clearer.
Wyoming, by comparison, uses an annual report/license tax model. The Wyoming Secretary of State states that the annual license tax is $60 or $0.0002 per dollar of assets located and employed in Wyoming, whichever is greater. For many small non-US-owned LLCs without significant Wyoming-based assets, the minimum amount is often the relevant planning figure.
Wyoming LLC vs Delaware LLC: the practical cost angle
Here is the simple cost comparison many non-US founders care about:
| State | Typical recurring state-level annual cost for a simple LLC |
|---|---|
| Delaware LLC | $400 annual tax |
| Wyoming LLC | $60 minimum annual report/license tax, unless asset-based amount is higher |
This is not the only factor.
You still need to think about your registered agent, EIN, banking readiness, business model, tax residence, client payment flow, accounting and compliance obligations.
But from a state-cost perspective, Wyoming now looks even more attractive for many simple LLC setups.
When Delaware may still make sense
This article is not saying Delaware is “bad.”
Delaware may still make sense if:
You are building a VC-backed startup.
You need a Delaware C-Corp structure.
Your investors, lawyers or accelerator specifically require Delaware.
You expect complex equity, stock option or fundraising structures.
You are operating in a context where Delaware’s legal ecosystem is part of the strategy.
But that is not the typical setup for every non-US founder.
Many European founders simply want a practical US LLC for international business operations, client invoicing, online services, consulting, software, digital products or remote work.
For those use cases, Wyoming is often worth a closer look.
Why Wyoming is often stronger for simple non-US setups
For many international founders, a Wyoming LLC can offer a practical balance of:
Simple formation
Lower recurring state costs
Clear annual report process
Strong privacy compared to many other states
Popular structure for non-US-owned LLCs
Good fit for lean online businesses, consultants and freelancers
The important point is not to choose Wyoming because it sounds trendy.
The important point is to choose a setup that matches your actual business model, personal situation, tax residence, client structure and payment flow.
That is why a US LLC setup should not be treated as a random filing.
It should be planned as a small operating system.
Formation is only one part.
You also need to think about EIN application, invoicing, payment providers, banking readiness, recordkeeping and annual compliance.
Ready to start your Wyoming LLC?
If you were already comparing Delaware and Wyoming, the 2026 Delaware price increase is a good reason to act now.
At US LLC Setup, we help European and non-US founders with practical Wyoming LLC formation support, EIN application guidance and banking readiness preparation.
You can start with our Wyoming-focused setup packages here:
You can also learn more about Wyoming LLC formation here:
If you want a practical, transparent and hands-on setup instead of trying to figure everything out from scattered online information, now is a good moment to get started.
Start your Wyoming LLC setup now — before higher Delaware costs make the wrong state choice even more expensive.
Final thoughts
The Delaware price increase does not mean every founder should avoid Delaware.
But it does make the state comparison more obvious.
For many non-US residents, especially freelancers, consultants, creators, online businesses and international service providers, Wyoming may be the cleaner and more cost-efficient route.
The right setup is not about hype.
It is about choosing the state, structure and admin process that fit your real business.
Bosse LLC provides practical setup support and administrative guidance only. We do not provide legal, tax, accounting or regulated financial advice. Government, bank, fintech and payment provider approvals cannot be guaranteed.
