Kentucky Secretary of State

How Much Does an LLC Cost in Kentucky?

Forming an LLC in Kentucky means filing the Articles of Organization with the Kentucky Secretary of State. The calculator below separates official government fees from estimates, and fixed costs from variable ones.

Entity type

LLC Corporation

An S corporation is a federal tax election, not a state entity type — both LLCs and corporations may qualify for it.

Registered agent

Act as my own agent — $0Generally allowed if you have an in-state address and are available during business hoursHire a service — about $200/yrMarket estimate (typically $100–$300/yr), not a state fee

First-year government fees — Kentucky LLC

$215

Official state fees

Articles of Organization filing fee$40

Limited Liability Entity Tax (minimum)Filed with the annual Kentucky tax return, including the first year$175

Ongoing fixed fees

Annual report feeDue between January 1 and June 30 each year, beginning the year after formation$15 / yr

Limited Liability Entity Tax (minimum)Filed with the annual Kentucky tax return, including the first year$175 / yr

≈ $190/yr annualized for comparison — actual payment schedule shown above.

Five-year outlook

Fixed government fees (5 yrs)$975

Estimated total (5 yrs)$975

Varies by business — excluded from totals

LLET above the minimum. For gross receipts or gross profits over $3 million, the LLET is the lesser of $0.095 per $100 of gross receipts or $0.75 per $100 of gross profits.

Educational estimate based on official fee schedules verified July 12, 2026 — not legal or tax advice. Fees, rules, and processing times change; confirm with the state or a qualified professional before relying on them.

The numbers behind this page

Every figure comes from the typed data record for Kentucky, verified July 12, 2026 against the sources listed at the bottom of this page.

Formation fees — Kentucky LLC
Fee	Amount	Schedule	Type
Articles of Organization filing fee	$40	One-time	Official state fee

Recurring & conditional obligations — Kentucky LLC
Fee	Amount	Schedule	Type
Annual report fee	$15	AnnualDue between January 1 and June 30 each year, beginning the year after formation	Official state fee
Limited Liability Entity Tax (minimum) Kentucky's LLET applies to both LLCs and corporations; $175 is the minimum per taxable year. Businesses with over $3 million in gross receipts or gross profits pay a calculated amount instead.	$175	AnnualFiled with the annual Kentucky tax return, including the first year	Official state fee
LLET above the minimum For gross receipts or gross profits over $3 million, the LLET is the lesser of $0.095 per $100 of gross receipts or $0.75 per $100 of gross profits.	Varies	Variable	Official state fee

† Partially verified — corroborated but not confirmed on a machine-readable official page.

Filing process & processing times

File online through the Kentucky Business One Stop portal or by mail.

Processing options for Kentucky LLC filings
Option	Typical turnaround	Added fee	Notes
Standard processing	0–3 business days	None	Online filings are typically processed within a day; mail takes longer

Processing times are estimates based on currently available official guidance and change with filing volume — they are not guaranteed.

Registered agent costs

Every Kentucky LLCmust continuously maintain a registered agent with a physical in-state address. Acting as your own agent costs $0 where you meet the state's eligibility rules; commercial services typically run $100–$300 per year. The calculator uses $200 — the midpoint of that range — when you choose a hired service.

Midpoint of the typical advertised price range for national commercial registered-agent services as of July 2026 (e.g. Northwest Registered Agent $125/yr, ZenBusiness $199/yr, LegalZoom $249/yr). Budget providers advertise below this range and premium corporate-service firms above it. Serving as your own agent costs $0 where you meet state eligibility rules.

Worth knowing about Kentucky

Kentucky's $40 formation fee and $15 annual report are among the lowest anywhere — but the $175 minimum Limited Liability Entity Tax applies every year, including the first, and is the real recurring cost.

Kentucky LLC cost FAQs

How much does it cost to start an LLC in Kentucky?

The Kentucky Secretary of State charges $40 to file the Articles of Organization. Including the other required government fees that typically come due within the first year, plan on about $215 in state fees. That figure excludes optional services and any variable taxes, which depend on your circumstances.

What are the ongoing costs of an LLC in Kentucky?

Kentucky LLCs generally must pay the annual report fee of $15 per year (due between January 1 and June 30 each year, beginning the year after formation) and the limited Liability Entity Tax (minimum) of $175 per year (filed with the annual Kentucky tax return, including the first year). In addition, LLET above the minimum may apply depending on your revenue, assets, or activity — these are variable, so they aren't included in fixed totals.

How long does it take to form an LLC in Kentucky?

Online filings are often processed the same day. Kentucky does not currently offer a paid expedited tier for this filing. Processing times change with filing volume, so confirm current turnaround with the state before relying on a date.

Do I need a registered agent for an LLC in Kentucky?

Yes. Every Kentucky LLC must continuously maintain a registered agent with a physical address in the state to receive legal and official mail. You can generally act as your own agent at no cost if you meet the state's eligibility rules, or hire a commercial service — typically $100–$300 per year. Whether serving as your own agent is practical depends on your circumstances, including privacy and availability during business hours.

How does the Kentucky LLET above the minimum work for LLCs?

For gross receipts or gross profits over $3 million, the LLET is the lesser of $0.095 per $100 of gross receipts or $0.75 per $100 of gross profits. Because the amount depends on factors like revenue or assets, it is shown separately and never folded into the fixed totals above. Consult a qualified tax professional about how it may apply to you.

What this page doesn't cover

Federal, state, and local taxes beyond the fixed fees shown — income-dependent taxes are listed as variable obligations and never included in exact totals.
Business licenses, local permits, industry-specific registrations, and DBA filings.
Attorney, accountant, or filing-service fees beyond the labeled registered-agent estimate.
Whether an LLC — or Kentucky — is the right choice for your situation. FormedIn provides general educational information, not legal, tax, accounting, or financial advice, and nothing here recommends an entity type or formation state for any specific person.

Fees, rules, deadlines, and processing times change. Confirm current requirements with the Kentucky Secretary of State and consult a qualified attorney, CPA, or tax professional about your specific circumstances.

Sources

Kentucky data last verified July 12, 2026.

Business Filing Fees— Kentucky Secretary of StateOfficialaccessed July 12, 2026
Annual Reports— Kentucky Secretary of StateOfficialaccessed July 12, 2026
Corporation Income and Limited Liability Entity Tax— Kentucky Department of RevenueOfficialaccessed July 12, 2026
How Much Does a Registered Agent Cost? 2026 Guide— RegisteredAgentCost.comaccessed July 12, 2026
How Much Does a Registered Agent Cost?— ZenBusinessaccessed July 12, 2026