Form Your Ohio LLC
Build your business in the Buckeye State with no annual reports, no corporate income tax, and access to three thriving metropolitan areas
Filed in Ohio
The Buckeye State · OH
- State filing fee$99
- Processing time3-7 business days
- 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 LLC — pay only the state filing fee, nothing more.
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Everything to launch your Ohio LLC
Free formation means you pay only the $99 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 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.
Operating agreement
Professionally drafted operating agreement — defines ownership, voting, and profit splits.
Benefits of forming an LLC in Ohio
Ohio replaced its corporate income tax with the Commercial Activity Tax (CAT), a gross receipts tax. With no annual report, affordable filing, and three major metro areas, Ohio provides a strong business environment in the heart of the Midwest.
No annual report requirement
No traditional corporate income tax
Affordable filing fee of $99
Three major metropolitan areas (Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati)
Growing tech scene, especially in Columbus
Central location with excellent transportation infrastructure
Key features of a Ohio LLC
- No annual report requirement
- No traditional corporate income tax
- Commercial Activity Tax instead of income tax
- Three major metro areas
Major industries in Ohio
Form your Ohio LLC in 6 steps
We handle every step while you stay in the loop. Processing takes 3-7 business days.
- 01
Choose Your LLC Name
Your name must include 'Limited Liability Company,' 'LLC,' or 'L.L.C.' Check availability through the Ohio Secretary of State's business name search.
- 02
Appoint a Statutory Agent
Ohio requires a statutory agent (registered agent) with a physical Ohio address to accept legal documents on behalf of your LLC.
- 03
File Articles of Organization
Submit your Articles of Organization to the Ohio Secretary of State. The filing fee is $99. Online filing is available.
- 04
Create an Operating Agreement
Ohio does not require an Operating Agreement, but having one is strongly recommended to define management and member responsibilities.
- 05
Obtain an EIN
Apply for a free EIN from the IRS for tax filing, banking, and hiring employees.
- 06
Register for Commercial Activity Tax
Ohio LLCs 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 (effective Jan 1, 2025).
Ohio LLC costs at a glance
Kicker formation is free — you pay only the required state fees. No hidden charges.
Ohio LLC requirements checklist
Everything you need to form and maintain a Ohio LLC in 2026.
- File Articles of Organization with Ohio Secretary of State ($99)
- Appoint a statutory agent with a physical Ohio address
- Create an Operating Agreement (recommended)
- Obtain an EIN from the IRS
- No annual report required
- Register for CAT if taxable gross receipts exceed $6,000,000
Filing information
- Formation document
- Articles of Organization
- Filing agency
- Ohio Secretary of State
- Registered agent
- Required
- Operating agreement
- 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, 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 Ohio)
- 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.
Ohio LLC questions, answered
Common questions about forming an LLC in Ohio. Can't find an answer? Talk to our team.
How much does it cost to form an LLC in Ohio?
The state filing fee is $99. Ohio has no annual report requirement. Our service fee starts at $100 plus the state fee.
Does Ohio require annual reports?
No! Ohio does not require LLCs to file annual reports, making it one of the simplest states for ongoing compliance.
What is the Commercial Activity Tax?
Ohio's Commercial Activity Tax (CAT) is a 0.26% tax on taxable gross receipts over $6,000,000 (exclusion raised from $3M to $6M effective Jan 1, 2025; the annual minimum tax was eliminated in 2024). It replaces the traditional corporate income tax and is generally considered more business-friendly.
Is Columbus good for tech startups?
Yes. Columbus has a rapidly growing tech scene, home to major employers and a vibrant startup ecosystem. The city offers affordable living, Ohio State University talent, and growing venture capital.
Can I form an Ohio LLC online?
Yes, you can file online through the Ohio Secretary of State's website for fast processing.
What is a statutory agent in Ohio?
A statutory agent is Ohio's term for a registered agent - a person or entity with a physical Ohio address designated to receive legal documents on behalf of your LLC.
Ohio government filing resources
Filing fees for common LLC 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 LLC
Formation is the first step — stay compliant and operational with these services.
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Ready to form your Ohio LLC?
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.
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