Form a Kentucky LLC with StartGlobal
$399 state fee included
EIN, operating agreement and first-year agent service included. Nothing else to buy.
Kentucky LLC costs at a glance
| Cost | When | Applies in Kentucky | With StartGlobal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Articles of Organization filing fee | Once, to form | Yes | Included in $399 |
| Registered agent | Every year | Yes, or be your own | Year one included, then $99/yr |
| Annual Report | Every year | Yes | Optional filing service, $299/yr |
| State tax or yearly charge | See below | Yes, see below | Paid to the state |
| EIN | Once | For a bank account or staff | Included in $399 |
| Operating agreement | Once | Recommended | Included in $399 |
| Local business licences | Varies | Depends on city, county and trade | Paid to the issuer |
Forming the LLC
Kentucky LLCs are formed by filing a Articles of Organization with the Kentucky Secretary of State, which accepts filings online. The state charges a one-time fee to accept it; the fee is the same whether you file yourself or use a service, and StartGlobal includes it in the $399.
Keeping it active
Kentucky LLCs file an Annual Report every year. It is due between January 1 and June 30 each year. The first one is due between January 1 and June 30 of the year after the calendar year the LLC was formed.
Kentucky imposes an annual limited liability entity tax (LLET) on LLCs doing business in Kentucky, based on Kentucky gross receipts or gross profits. A single-member LLC owned by an individual reports it on Form 725 with the Department of Revenue.
You also need a registered agent in Kentucky every year. Ours is included for the first year and $99 a year after; you can act as your own if you have a Kentucky address and are there in business hours.
- A domestic LLC that misses the June 30 annual report deadline is administratively dissolved and stays in bad standing until it reinstates.
- The annual report confirms the principal office and registered agent, and lists managers for a manager-managed LLC.
What a "$0" Kentucky LLC costs over three years
Formation, a registered agent every year and an EIN, at each provider's published prices. The Kentucky filing fee is added on top of theirs and included in ours.
| Three years | |
|---|---|
| ZenBusiness Starter Registered agent is a $199/yr add-on from day one. | $696 + Kentucky filing fee |
| LegalZoom Basic Registered agent is $249/yr. | $826 + Kentucky filing fee |
| Bizee Basic Registered agent free for year one, then $149/yr. | $368 + Kentucky filing fee |
| StartGlobal State fee, first-year agent and EIN included. Agent $99/yr after. | $597, all in |
Over three years our price is lower than ZenBusiness or LegalZoom in every state. Bizee's first agent year is free, which can make it cheaper depending on the state fee. Filing yourself costs only the state fee.
Sources
Related
Frequently asked questions
How much does an LLC cost in Kentucky?
Kentucky charges a one-time fee to file the Articles of Organization. With StartGlobal the total is $399 with that fee included, plus your EIN, operating agreement and first-year registered agent service. After that: Kentucky LLCs file an Annual Report every year. It is due between January 1 and June 30 each year.
What are the yearly costs of a Kentucky LLC?
Kentucky LLCs file an Annual Report every year. It is due between January 1 and June 30 each year. Kentucky imposes an annual limited liability entity tax (LLET) on LLCs doing business in Kentucky, based on Kentucky gross receipts or gross profits. A single-member LLC owned by an individual reports it on Form 725 with the Department of Revenue. You also need a registered agent in Kentucky every year, unless you act as your own.
Is there a cheaper way to form a Kentucky LLC?
Yes: file the Articles of Organization yourself with the Kentucky Secretary of State, act as your own registered agent and get your EIN from the IRS for free. It costs only the state fee and your time.
Does a $0 LLC service cost nothing in Kentucky?
No. The Kentucky filing fee is charged on top of a "$0" formation, and registered agent service and the EIN are usually add-ons. Over three years our $399 all-in is lower than ZenBusiness or LegalZoom at their published prices.
