South Dakota allows partial anonymity via manager-managed LLCs. Members are not disclosed, but managers are. Here is how it works and when to consider a Tier 1 state instead.
By Shafwan Ahmed, Operations & Fulfillment Lead, Anonymousllc.co
South Dakota allows manager-managed LLCs where only the manager is listed on initial filings. Members are not required to be disclosed on the Articles of Organization. South Dakota is better known for its trust law than its LLC privacy — the state has strong DAPT statutes comparable to Wyoming's.
| Disclosure type | South Dakota | Wyoming (Tier 1) |
|---|---|---|
| Member disclosure | Not required (if manager-managed) | Not required |
| Manager disclosure | Required on initial filing only | Not required |
| Filing fee | $150 | $100 |
| Annual cost | $50 annual report | $60 |
| State income tax | None | None |
For true anonymity where neither members nor managers are disclosed, form in Wyoming ($397), New Mexico ($347 = $297 + $50 state), Delaware ($407 = $297 + $110 state), or Nevada ($722 = $297 + $425 state). If you need to operate in South Dakota, you can foreign-qualify your Tier 1 LLC here.