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How Much Does an LLC Cost in Kentucky?
An LLC in Kentucky costs $55 in Year 1: a $40 state filing fee plus $15 in recurring state fees ($15 / year) for the first year. After that it costs $15 per year, for a 5-year state total of $115. That makes Kentucky the 8th cheapest state to form an LLC — the national average Year 1 cost is $220 and the median is $160.
Kentucky LLC Fee Breakdown
| Fee | Cost |
| State filing fee (one-time) | $40 |
| Recurring state fees — $15 / year | $15 / yr |
| Year 1 total (filing fee + first year) | $55 |
| 5-year total (filing fee + 5 × annual) | $115 |
How Kentucky Compares to Other States
- Rank: Kentucky is the 8th cheapest state to form an LLC — #8 of 51 jurisdictions by 5-year state cost ($115).
- Year 1 vs the nation: $55 in Year 1 — $165 less than the national average of $220 (median $160).
- 5-year vs the nation: $115 over five years, against a national average of $586 and a median of $350.
- Recurring fee: $15 / year ($15/yr) — no separate franchise tax on top.
- Cheapest in the US: Arizona at $50 over 5 years. Most expensive: California at $4,120.
Kentucky LLC Annual Fees & Franchise Tax
Kentucky charges $15 per year in recurring state fees ($15 / year). Over five years that is $75 in recurring fees alone — $115 including the one-time filing fee.
No. Kentucky does not charge LLCs a separate franchise tax. The recurring state cost is an annual filing or report fee of $15 per year ($15 / year), which is what the Year 1 and 5-year totals on this page are built from.
How to Form an LLC in Kentucky (Step by Step)
- Choose a name. Pick a distinguishable name that includes "LLC" and check it is available on the Kentucky Secretary of State website before you file.
- Appoint a registered agent. Name a person or service with a physical street address in Kentucky who can receive legal mail during business hours — be your own for free, or hire one (see our registered agent guide).
- File your formation document. File the Articles of Organization (called a Certificate of Formation in some states) with the Kentucky Secretary of State and pay the $40 filing fee.
- Create an operating agreement. Not filed with the state, but it records who owns what and how the LLC is run — banks and partners will ask for it.
- Get an EIN. Apply free on the IRS website in about 10 minutes — see our EIN guide. You need it to hire, pay taxes, and open a business account.
- Open a business bank account and stay compliant. Keep business money separate (see our business bank account guide), then keep up with Kentucky's recurring fees — $15 / year — so the LLC stays in good standing (see our annual reports guide).
Good to Know About Kentucky LLC Costs
The cheapest filing fee in the country at $40, plus a tiny $15 annual report. Kentucky is the value champion of LLC formation.
File on the official Kentucky Secretary of State site →
Fees verified against official state sources — last checked October 26, 2026.
Kentucky LLC Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to start an LLC in Kentucky?
The state filing fee in Kentucky is $40. Adding the first year of recurring state fees ($15 / year) brings the Year 1 state cost to $55. Optional extras — a registered agent service, an operating agreement template, or a formation service — cost extra, but the state itself charges $55 in Year 1.
How much does an LLC in Kentucky cost every year?
Kentucky charges $15 per year in recurring state fees ($15 / year). Over five years that is $75 in recurring fees alone — $115 including the one-time filing fee.
Does Kentucky charge LLCs a franchise tax?
No. Kentucky does not charge LLCs a separate franchise tax. The recurring state cost is an annual filing or report fee of $15 per year ($15 / year), which is what the Year 1 and 5-year totals on this page are built from.
Do I need a registered agent for an LLC in Kentucky?
Yes. Every LLC in Kentucky must name a registered agent with a physical street address in the state who can receive legal and official mail during business hours. You can be your own agent if you live in Kentucky and are reliably available, or hire a service — typically around $125 per year — to keep your own address off the public record.
What is the cheapest way to form an LLC in Kentucky?
File it yourself on the official Kentucky Secretary of State website, linked on this page. Filing direct costs just the $40 state filing fee (plus the $15 / year recurring fee) and skips formation-service markups. Use the free LLC cost calculator on this site first so you know your exact Year 1 and 5-year totals before you file.