Kentucky LLC Cost
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What an Kentucky LLC really costs: the $40 filing, recurring report fees, optional services, and a five-year total.
The minimum state cost to start an LLC in Kentucky is $40. Keeping it in good standing then costs $15 a year in report fees, plus any entity-level tax. Here is the full breakdown.
One-time formation costs
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Formation document (Articles of Organization) | $40 |
| Name reservation (optional) | Typically $10 to $50 |
| Certified copy of the filing (optional) | Typically $5 to $30 |
| Expedited processing (optional) | Varies widely by state and speed |
| EIN | $0 directly from the IRS |
Recurring costs
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Annual or biennial report | $15 per year |
| Franchise or entity tax | Limited Liability Entity Tax |
| Registered agent (optional) | $0 if you serve, or about $50 to $300 per year |
Total over five years
Assuming you file every required report on time, act as your own registered agent, and exclude entity-level taxes and optional extras, five years of state fees in Kentucky add up to about $115: $40 to form plus $75 in report fees. First-year state fees alone are about $55.
Optional professional services
- Formation services: many charge $0 to $299 on top of the state fee, and some upsell items you can do free
- Operating agreement: free to write yourself, or a few hundred dollars for an attorney-drafted version
- Registered agent: about $50 to $300 per year if you do not serve yourself
- Accounting and tax preparation: depends on complexity and is often the largest ongoing cost
How Kentucky compares
Kentucky's LLC filing fee is $40, $60 below the national median of $100. 1 of the 51 jurisdictions (50 states and DC) charge less to file. Filing fees are only part of the picture, so the table below sets Kentucky beside five states founders often consider.
| State | LLC filing fee | Annual report | Franchise or entity tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kentucky | $40 | $15 yearly | Limited Liability Entity Tax |
| Delaware | $110 | $300 yearly | Franchise tax $300 LLC / variable corp |
| Wyoming | $100 | $60 yearly | None |
| Nevada | $425 | $350 yearly | Commerce Tax (revenue > $4M) |
| Texas | $300 | No fee yearly | Franchise tax (no-tax-due < $1.23M) |
| Florida | $125 | $138.75 yearly | None |
Forming outside the state where you live and work rarely saves money. A business operating in Kentucky that forms elsewhere generally still has to register as a foreign LLC in Kentucky and pay both states' fees. Our best states for an LLC guide explains when an out-of-state filing makes sense.
Kentucky specific notes
Kentucky has one of the lowest LLC filing fees in the country and a low annual report fee. The Limited Liability Entity Tax (LLET) may apply once Kentucky gross receipts or profits pass its thresholds.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest way to start an LLC in Kentucky?
What does it cost to keep a Kentucky LLC active?
Is it cheaper to form in another state?
Are there hidden costs to forming an LLC?
Sources & further reading
Disclaimer: Legal information, not legal advice. For advice about your specific situation, consult a licensed attorney or CPA in your state. See our full disclaimer.