Form an LLC in Kentucky
We file your Articles of Organization, register an agent, and deliver your formation documents. Total cost from $165 on Standard.
State filing fee
$40
Typical processing
7 days
Annual report
$15 / yr
Kentucky is the cheapest filing fee in the country at $40 and one of the simpler online filings - the Kentucky One Stop Business Portal turns most submissions around in under a week. Annual reports run $15, due by June 30.
Kentucky's combination of low filing fees and low annual costs makes it a quiet alternative to better-marketed states for founders willing to consider a less-popular jurisdiction. The state also has a Limited Liability Entity Tax (LLET) that applies to most LLCs on gross receipts.
Best for: Cost-conscious founders; in-state Kentucky businesses.
Cost & compliance breakdown
| State filing fee | $40 |
|---|---|
| Typical processing | 7 days |
| Annual report fee | $15 |
| Annual report due | June 30 every year |
- The $40 filing fee is the lowest in the country.
- The annual report fee is $15.
- The Limited Liability Entity Tax minimum of $175 is the real recurring cost - it applies to most operating LLCs on either gross receipts or gross profits.
Watch outs
- - The LLET catches founders off guard because it's separate from the annual report and is paid to the Department of Revenue, not the SoS.
How we file your Kentucky LLC
- 1
File Articles of Organization
We file through the Kentucky One Stop Business Portal. The $40 fee is paid online.
- 2
EIN and operating agreement
EIN obtained and a Kentucky operating agreement delivered.
- 3
Register for the Limited Liability Entity Tax
Most Kentucky LLCs owe the LLET at a minimum of $175/year. We help with the registration as part of post-formation setup.
What's included
Articles of Organization
Registered agent
EIN (Federal Tax ID)
Operating Agreement
Frequently asked questions
When is the Kentucky annual report due?
June 30 each year. The fee is $15.
What is the LLET?
Kentucky's Limited Liability Entity Tax is owed by most LLCs at a minimum of $175 annually, with higher amounts for entities with significant gross receipts or profits.
Can a non-resident own a Kentucky LLC?
Yes. There are no residency requirements.
Compare with other states
The states founders most commonly weigh against Kentucky.
Ready to form your Kentucky LLC?
Total from $165 on Standard. Most founders finish the application in about 15 minutes.