How Much Does It Cost to Form a Kentucky LLC?
Kentucky is one of the lowest LLC filing fees in the country. But the state filing fee is only part of the picture. This page breaks down every cost you'll encounter — formation, ongoing compliance, and optional services — so there are no surprises.
State Filing Fee
The Kentucky Secretary of State charges $40 to file your Articles of Organization. This is a one-time fee paid when you form the LLC. At $40, Kentucky is one of the cheapest states to file in.
Annual / Recurring State Fees
Kentucky charges $15 for the annual report (filed each year). Miss it, and you risk late fees and eventually administrative dissolution.
Kentucky tax note: One of the lowest filing fees in the nation at $40. Annual report $15 due June 30. Kentucky imposes a Limited Liability Entity Tax (LLET) of $175 minimum on gross receipts/revenues.
Registered Agent Cost
Every Kentucky LLC is required to maintain a registered agent. With our formation package, the first year of registered agent service is included. After that, ongoing service is $99/year.
Expedited Processing
If you need your LLC formed faster, the Kentucky Secretary of State offers expedited processing for $50. This typically reduces the turnaround from 3-5 business days to Same day.
Full Cost Table
| Item | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| State filing fee | $40 | One-time, paid to the Kentucky Secretary of State |
| Annual report | $15 | Filed annually with the Kentucky Secretary of State |
| Registered Agent service | $99/year | First year included with formation |
| Expedited processing | $50 | Optional — reduces turnaround to Same day |
First-Year Cost Summary
If you form through us, your first-year cost is $199 — that covers our formation service, the $40 state fee, first-year registered agent service, operating agreement, and EIN assistance. There's nothing hidden.
Ongoing Annual Costs
After year one, your ongoing costs are: $99/year for registered agent + $15/year for the annual report.
How We Compare
Many LLC formation services charge $199-level fees but then tack on upsells: compliance packages, rush fees, unnecessary add-ons. Our fee is straightforward — $199 covers everything you need to get your Kentucky LLC filed and operational.