Form Your Ohio C Corporation
Build the investor-ready structure VCs expect in the Buckeye State - issue stock, raise priced rounds, and operate with no annual report and no state corporate income tax
Filed in Ohio
The Buckeye State · OH
- State filing fee$99
- Processing time3-7 business days (online via Ohio Business Central)
- Our formation feeFree (you pay $100 if you choose a paid plan)
- Annual report$0 (no annual report required) — due No annual report required
- State tax rateNo corporate income tax (0.26% CAT over $6M)
- Expedited option2 business days (+$100)
Form your Ohio C-Corp — pay only the state filing fee, nothing more.
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Everything to launch your Ohio C-Corp
Free formation means you pay only the $99 state filing fee. All core services are included at no extra charge.
Articles of Incorporation filing
We prepare and submit your Articles of Incorporation to the Ohio Secretary of State.
Registered agent
Required in Ohio — we act as your agent for the first year.
EIN from the IRS
Your federal Tax ID — required to open a US business bank account and file taxes.
Corporate bylaws
Professionally drafted corporate bylaws — defines ownership, voting, and profit splits.
Benefits of forming an C-Corp in Ohio
Ohio replaced its corporate income tax with the Commercial Activity Tax, a low gross-receipts tax that only applies once taxable receipts exceed $6,000,000, leaving most early-stage C Corporations with no traditional state income tax burden. Combined with no annual report, a $99 filing fee, and three major metros anchoring a growing tech corridor, Ohio gives venture-backed corporations a low-friction Midwestern base for issuing equity and scaling.
The structure venture capitalists and institutional investors expect before they wire a priced round
Issue multiple classes of stock and maintain a clean cap table for founders, employees, and investors
Perpetual existence - the corporation survives changes in ownership, directors, and officers
No traditional Ohio corporate income tax (a Commercial Activity Tax on gross receipts applies instead)
No annual report requirement, keeping Ohio ongoing compliance light
Affordable $99 state filing fee through Ohio Business Central
Potential Qualified Small Business Stock (QSBS / Section 1202) benefits may apply to founders and early investors
Access to three major metros - Columbus, Cleveland, and Cincinnati - plus a fast-growing tech corridor
Key features of a Ohio C-Corp
- Investor-ready structure for priced rounds and SAFEs
- Issues stock with a board of directors and bylaws
- Perpetual existence independent of ownership
- No annual report requirement in Ohio
- Commercial Activity Tax instead of state corporate income tax
Major industries in Ohio
Form your Ohio C-Corp in 6 steps
We handle every step while you stay in the loop. Processing takes 3-7 business days (online via Ohio Business Central).
- 01
Choose Your Corporate Name
Your name must include a corporate designator such as 'Corporation,' 'Incorporated,' 'Company,' 'Corp.,' 'Inc.,' or 'Co.' Confirm availability through the Ohio Secretary of State's business name search before filing.
- 02
Appoint a Statutory Agent and Directors
Ohio requires a statutory agent (registered agent) with a physical Ohio address to receive legal documents, and at least one director to oversee the corporation.
- 03
File Articles of Incorporation
Submit your Articles of Incorporation to the Ohio Secretary of State, including the number of authorized shares. The filing fee is $99 and online filing is available through Ohio Business Central, with processing in 3-7 business days.
- 04
Adopt Bylaws and Hold the Organizational Meeting
Draft corporate bylaws, appoint officers, and hold the first board meeting. Authorize and issue stock to founders, recording everything on your cap table.
- 05
Obtain an EIN and Handle Tax Elections
Apply for a free EIN from the IRS for banking, payroll, and federal tax filing. Founders receiving restricted stock should consider filing an 83(b) election with the IRS within 30 days of issuance.
- 06
Register for Commercial Activity Tax if Applicable
Ohio corporations with taxable gross receipts over $6,000,000 must register for and pay the Commercial Activity Tax (CAT) of 0.26%. Businesses at or below the $6M exclusion are not required to register or file.
Ohio C-Corp costs at a glance
Kicker formation is free — you pay only the required state fees. No hidden charges.
Ohio C-Corp requirements checklist
Everything you need to form and maintain a Ohio C-Corp in 2026.
- File Articles of Incorporation with the Ohio Secretary of State ($99)
- Appoint a statutory agent with a physical Ohio address
- Authorize shares of stock and maintain a cap table
- Appoint a board of directors (minimum one) and adopt corporate bylaws
- Obtain an EIN from the IRS
- No annual report required
- Register for the Commercial Activity Tax if taxable gross receipts exceed $6,000,000
Filing information
- Formation document
- Articles of Incorporation
- Filing agency
- Ohio Secretary of State
- Registered agent
- Required
- Corporate bylaws
- Recommended
- EIN
- Required
- Name reservation fee
- $39 (180 days)
Free formation — pay only the state fee
Kicker formation is free. You pay the $99 Ohio state filing fee and nothing more for the Starter plan. Optional plans add registered agent, EIN, corporate bylaws, and compliance.
Starter
- Articles of Incorporation filing
- Name availability check
- Digital document delivery
- Formation status tracking
Booster
- Everything in Starter
- Registered agent (required in Ohio)
- EIN / Federal Tax ID
- Expedited processing (1–2 days)
- Corporate bylaws
- Priority support
- Kicker Voice — 3-day free trial
- Kicker Pay — free for 15 days
Founder
- Everything in Booster
- Business mailing address
- Bookkeeping — 3 months free
- Dedicated account manager
- Rush processing
- Kicker Voice — 6-day free trial
- Kicker Pay — free for 30 days
Kicker
- Everything in Founder
- ITIN filing & preparation
- Same-day priority processing
- 2nd year annual filing $0
- Kicker Voice 12-day + Kicker Pay 60 days free
Compare all plans on our pricing page.
Ohio C-Corp questions, answered
Common questions about forming an C-Corp in Ohio. Can't find an answer? Talk to our team.
How much does it cost to form a C Corporation in Ohio?
The Ohio state filing fee for Articles of Incorporation is $99, paid to the Ohio Secretary of State. Ohio has no annual report requirement, so ongoing state compliance costs are minimal.
How long does it take to incorporate in Ohio?
Standard processing through Ohio Business Central takes about 3-7 business days when you file online with the Ohio Secretary of State. Expedited options are available for faster turnaround.
Why do investors prefer a C Corporation?
Venture capitalists and institutional investors almost always require a C Corporation because it can issue multiple classes of stock, supports a clean cap table, and is the standard structure for priced rounds, SAFEs, and stock-option pools for employees.
How is a C Corporation taxed?
A C Corporation pays a flat 21% federal corporate income tax on its profits, and shareholders are taxed again on dividends - the 'double taxation' feature. Ohio has no traditional corporate income tax, though the Commercial Activity Tax (CAT) of 0.26% applies to taxable gross receipts over $6,000,000.
What is the 83(b) election and when must I file it?
An 83(b) election lets founders and employees pay tax on restricted stock at its value when granted rather than as it vests. You must file it with the IRS within 30 days of receiving the restricted stock - the deadline is strict and cannot be extended.
Could my Ohio C Corporation qualify for QSBS benefits?
Possibly. Stock in a C Corporation may qualify as Qualified Small Business Stock (QSBS) under Section 1202, which can offer significant federal capital-gains benefits to founders and early investors. QSBS rules changed in 2025, so confirm current eligibility and holding requirements with a tax advisor.
Does Ohio require annual reports for corporations?
No. Ohio does not require corporations to file annual reports, making it one of the simplest states for ongoing corporate compliance once you are incorporated.
Do I need to file a BOI report for my Ohio C Corporation?
No. Under FinCEN's March 2025 interim final rule, US domestic entities and US persons are exempt from Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) reporting. Only entities formed outside the US and registered to do business in a US state still file.
Ohio government filing resources
Filing fees for common C-Corp services
Official Ohio state charges for the filings you may need after formation — our service fee is separate, and we confirm the current amount before filing.
$39.00 (ORC 111.16(S)(1)).
$5.00 flat, same for all entity types (LLC, corp, nonprofit) — does NOT vary by entity type.
Learn morePer ORC 111.16: copies of a filed certificate/document cost $1.00 per page, PLUS $5.00 for creating and affixing the SoS certification seal.
$5.00 per apostille/authentication certificate.
Everything you need to run your Ohio C-Corp
Formation is the first step — stay compliant and operational with these services.
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Ready to form your Ohio C-Corp?
Formation is free — you pay only the $99 Ohio state filing fee. Personal-asset protection, pass-through taxation, and a complete document package, filed in 3-7 business days (online via Ohio Business Central).
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