Forming an LLC in Kentucky costs a one-time $40 state filing fee. Ongoing, budget about $15 a year in state fees, so a typical first year is roughly $55 before any service or registered-agent costs. The fee is identical whether you are a US resident or a non-resident. Cheapest filing tier and a cheap report.
What does an LLC cost in Kentucky?
| Cost | Amount |
|---|---|
| One-time state filing fee | $40 |
| Annual/biennial report | Annual report ($15), due June 30 |
| Franchise / annual state tax | None - $0 |
| Registered agent (required) | Typically $50-$125 a year from an independent provider |
| Recurring state fees per year | About $15 |
| Typical first-year state cost | About $55 (filing + first-year state fees, excluding services) |
Compare Kentucky against all 51 states by cost →
Open the official Kentucky registration page ↗
Official destination: Kentucky One Stop Business Portal. Confirm the current filing form, fee and process on that site before paying.
State fees go to Kentucky and are the same through any formation service - a service fee sits on top of these numbers, never instead of them. Filing directly with the state is always the cheapest route on paper; what you pay a provider for is coordination.
Kentucky LLC at a glance
| One-time filing fee (to form) | $40 - paid once |
| Processing time | ~1 week; expedited available |
| Ongoing annual/biennial report | Annual report ($15), due June 30 |
| Separate franchise / annual tax | None |
| State income tax | Yes |
| State sales tax | 6% |
| Sales-tax economic nexus | $100,000 (transaction count phasing out 2026) |
| Registered agent | Required (in-state address) |
| Publication requirement | No |
| Anonymous ownership | Not available (ownership is on record) |
| Fees for non-residents | Identical - state fees do not depend on residency |
State cost data last checked 2026-07-21; the registration destination was cross-checked against the SBA state directory on 2026-08-23. Fees, forms and deadlines still change - confirm on the linked official site and tax authority before filing.
Do non-residents pay more in Kentucky?
The state fees above are the same for everyone - Kentucky does not charge non-residents more to form or maintain an LLC. What changes is the surrounding process and your tax obligations, not the price.
- A Kentucky registered agent is mandatory - you cannot list your own foreign address.
- Get your EIN with Form SS-4 by fax or phone (the instant online tool needs an SSN or ITIN).
- A foreign-owned single-member LLC must file Form 5472 every year - a $25,000 penalty if missed.
- You may owe no US income tax on remote work, but still have US reporting and home-country tax.
- US banking is harder and depends on your residence country - check eligibility before you form.
- You can act as your own registered agent with a Kentucky street address.
- You can get an EIN online instantly with your SSN.
- Form 5472 generally does not apply; you report on your personal return.
- An S-corp election can cut self-employment tax once profit is high enough.
- Forming outside your home state can create a second registration and fee set.
Check banking eligibility for your country · Do I owe US tax / must I file 5472?
Does Kentucky fit your situation?
Kentucky puts ownership on the public record, so it is not the choice if you need anonymity. It levies a state income tax. Cheapest filing tier and a cheap report.
If you do not live or operate in Kentucky, remember that forming here while working elsewhere can create a second state registration (foreign qualification) and a second set of fees. For most non-residents the decision comes down to banking acceptance and total cost - see the best-state comparison.
How do I form an LLC in Kentucky?
- Check name availability and appoint a Kentucky registered agent.
- File the Articles of Organization ($40) with the state.
- Get an EIN from the IRS (Form SS-4 by fax or phone if you have no SSN).
- Confirm banking and payment eligibility for your residence country.
- Put the report on a calendar: Annual report ($15), due June 30.
Generate your Kentucky deadline calendar · Check your US tax obligations
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions
How much does an LLC cost in Kentucky?
The Kentucky LLC filing fee is a one-time $40 paid to the state. Ongoing state fees are about $15 a year. A typical first year is roughly $55 in state costs, before any registered agent or formation-service fees.
What is the Kentucky LLC filing fee in 2026?
$40, paid once to the state when you file the Articles of Organization. This is set by Kentucky and is the same through any formation service - services add their fee on top, they do not replace it.
What are the annual fees for a Kentucky LLC?
Annual report ($15), due June 30. There is no separate franchise or annual state tax. Budget separately for a registered agent, typically $50-$125 a year.
Does Kentucky require an annual report?
Yes: Annual report ($15), due June 30.
Is Kentucky a good state for a non-resident LLC?
Cheapest filing tier and a cheap report. Base the decision on where you actually operate, banking acceptance and total cost, not only the filing fee.
Do non-residents pay a different LLC fee in Kentucky?
No. Kentucky charges the same one-time $40 filing fee and the same ongoing fees regardless of whether the owner is a US resident or a non-resident. What differs for non-residents is the process (registered agent, EIN by fax, Form 5472), not the state fees.
Is the filing fee the same as the annual fee?
No - these are two separate charges. The $40 is a one-time fee to form the LLC. Separately, ongoing, you file: Annual report ($15), due June 30. People often confuse the one-time formation fee with the smaller recurring annual fee.