Form Your Kentucky LLC
Start your business in the Bluegrass State with one of the lowest filing fees in America and ultra-affordable annual compliance
Filed in Kentucky
The Bluegrass State · KY
- State filing fee$40
- Processing timeSame day to 1 business day (online); 1-5 days by mail
- Our formation feeFree (you pay $100 if you choose a paid plan)
- Annual report$15 — due June 30th annually
- State tax rate5% flat corporate income tax
Form your Kentucky LLC — pay only the state filing fee, nothing more.
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Everything to launch your Kentucky LLC
Free formation means you pay only the $40 state filing fee. All core services are included at no extra charge.
Articles of Organization filing
We prepare and submit your Articles of Organization to the Kentucky Secretary of State.
Registered agent
Required in Kentucky — 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.
Operating agreement
Professionally drafted operating agreement — defines ownership, voting, and profit splits.
Benefits of forming an LLC in Kentucky
Kentucky offers some of the lowest LLC formation and compliance costs in the nation. With a $40 filing fee and $15 annual report, it is extremely affordable. The state's central location, bourbon industry, and growing automotive sector provide diverse business opportunities.
One of the lowest LLC filing fees in the nation at $40
Lowest annual report fee at just $15
Low flat 5% corporate income tax rate
Central location with excellent logistics infrastructure
Among the lowest cost of living states in the US
Fast online filing — same day to 1 business day with no expedite fee
Key features of a Kentucky LLC
- Among the lowest filing fees in the nation ($40)
- Annual report fee of only $15
- Fast online filing (same day to 1 business day)
- Flat 5% corporate income tax
Major industries in Kentucky
Form your Kentucky LLC in 6 steps
We handle every step while you stay in the loop. Processing takes Same day to 1 business day (online); 1-5 days by mail.
- 01
Choose Your LLC Name
Your name must include 'Limited Liability Company,' 'LLC,' or 'L.L.C.' Search the Kentucky Secretary of State's online database to check availability.
- 02
Appoint a Registered Agent
Kentucky requires a registered agent with a physical address in the state who can accept legal documents during business hours.
- 03
File Articles of Organization
Submit your Articles of Organization to the Kentucky Secretary of State. The filing fee is just $40. Online filing is available through the Kentucky One Stop Business Portal.
- 04
Create an Operating Agreement
Kentucky does not require an Operating Agreement, but having one is strongly recommended to define member roles and LLC operations.
- 05
Obtain an EIN
Apply for a free EIN from the IRS for tax filing, banking, and hiring employees.
- 06
File Annual Report and LLET
File your annual report by June 30th ($15 fee). Also file the Limited Liability Entity Tax (LLET) return (Form 720). The LLET has a flat $175 minimum for entities with total gross receipts or gross profits of $3 million or less; above that a sliding scale ($3M-$6M) and full rate (over $6M) apply.
Kentucky LLC costs at a glance
Kicker formation is free — you pay only the required state fees. No hidden charges.
Kentucky LLC requirements checklist
Everything you need to form and maintain a Kentucky LLC in 2026.
- File Articles of Organization with Kentucky Secretary of State
- Appoint a registered agent with a physical Kentucky address
- Create an Operating Agreement (recommended)
- Obtain an EIN from the IRS
- File annual report by June 30th ($15)
- File LLET return if applicable
Filing information
- Formation document
- Articles of Organization
- Filing agency
- Kentucky Secretary of State
- Registered agent
- Required
- Operating agreement
- Recommended
- EIN
- Required
- Name reservation fee
- $15 (120 days)
Free formation — pay only the state fee
Kicker formation is free. You pay the $40 Kentucky state filing fee and nothing more for the Starter plan. Optional plans add registered agent, EIN, operating agreement, and compliance.
Starter
- Articles of Organization filing
- Name availability check
- Digital document delivery
- Formation status tracking
Booster
- Everything in Starter
- Registered agent (required in Kentucky)
- EIN / Federal Tax ID
- Expedited processing (1–2 days)
- Operating agreement
- 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.
Kentucky LLC questions, answered
Common questions about forming an LLC in Kentucky. Can't find an answer? Talk to our team.
How much does it cost to form an LLC in Kentucky?
Kentucky has one of the lowest filing fees at just $40. The annual report is only $15. Our service fee starts at $100 plus the state fee.
What is the LLET in Kentucky?
The Limited Liability Entity Tax (LLET) is a tax on LLCs and other pass-through entities. It is the lesser of 0.095% of Kentucky gross receipts or 0.75% of Kentucky gross profits, with a flat $175 minimum for entities of $3 million or less in gross receipts/profits (a sliding scale applies between $3M and $6M).
When is the Kentucky annual report due?
The annual report is due by June 30th each year. The filing fee is $15, one of the lowest in the nation.
How fast can I form a Kentucky LLC?
Online filing is processed same day to 1 business day; mail filings take 1-5 days. Kentucky is one of the fastest and cheapest states for LLC formation, with no separate paid expedite fee.
Is Kentucky good for manufacturing?
Yes. Kentucky has a strong manufacturing sector, particularly in automotive. The state is home to Toyota, Ford, and General Motors plants, along with a robust bourbon distilling industry.
Does Kentucky require an Operating Agreement?
No, Kentucky does not legally require an Operating Agreement. However, creating one is strongly recommended to establish clear rules for your LLC's operations and protect your limited liability status.
Kentucky government filing resources
Filing fees for common LLC services
Official Kentucky state charges for the filings you may need after formation — our service fee is separate, and we confirm the current amount before filing.
$15.00, reserves the name for 120 days.
Certified copies: $10.00 for each set up to 5 pages, plus $0.50 per additional page.
$5.00 per document.
There is no state fee to register for a Kentucky Sales & Use Tax account/permit through the Department of Revenue (registration is free via MyTaxes.ky.gov, One Stop, o…
Learn more$100.00 reinstatement fee, plus the current $15.00 filing fee for each delinquent annual report that must be filed.
Learn moreEverything you need to run your Kentucky LLC
Formation is the first step — stay compliant and operational with these services.
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Ready to form your Kentucky LLC?
Formation is free — you pay only the $40 Kentucky state filing fee. Personal-asset protection, pass-through taxation, and a complete document package, filed in Same day to 1 business day (online); 1-5 days by mail.
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