Kentucky LLCs cost $40 to form and $15/year for annual reports - absolute cheapest total cost in United States. Annual report due June 30 every year (same deadline for all LLCs). Kentucky Secretary of State processes online filings in 3-5 business days. Lowest combined costs make Kentucky unbeatable for budget-conscious entrepreneurs.
Kentucky LLC Formation
Kentucky Secretary of State processes LLC formations. $40 filing fee (one of lowest in US).
Standard processing: 3-5 business days. Expedited processing: +$50 (same-day if filed before noon). Fast processing for small premium.
Name Requirements
Must include "Limited Liability Company", "Limited Company", "L.L.C.", "L.C.", or "LLC". Kentucky accepts "LC".
Restricted words: Bank, Trust, Insurance. Kentucky rejects 13% of names for similarity (moderate screening).
Name Availability Search
Search Kentucky business registry at web.sos.ky.gov/ftsearch. Free search, updated daily.
Name reservation: $15, holds 120 days. Cheapest name reservation in US. Can renew for another $15.
Formation Process
File Articles of Organization with Kentucky Secretary of State. Online filing at sos.ky.gov or mail to Frankfort.
Required: LLC name, registered agent with KY address, organizer information. Kentucky has minimal paperwork requirements.
Registered Agent Requirement
Must have Kentucky registered agent with physical KY address (no PO boxes). Individual or entity.
Can use yourself if you have KY address. Professional registered agent: $100-175/year.
Annual Report
Due June 30 every year for ALL Kentucky LLCs. $15 fee (absolute lowest annual report fee in United States).
Unlike most states, Kentucky doesn't use formation anniversary. Every LLC files by June 30 regardless of when formed.
Why Same June 30 Deadline
Kentucky uses fiscal year-end deadline. Simplifies state processing. Creates bottleneck in June but easy to remember.
LLC formed January 2024 pays first $15 annual report June 2024 (5 months later). LLC formed July 2024 pays June 2025 (11 months later).
KY vs Other Low-Cost States
Kentucky $40 + $15/year vs Colorado $50 + $10/year: Similar costs, Kentucky slightly higher annual but faster processing.
Kentucky $40 + $15/year vs Missouri $50 + $0/year: MO no annual fee but KY $15 negligible. Both excellent budget options.
Total Cost Comparison (10 Years)
Kentucky: $40 + ($15 × 10) = $190 total. Colorado: $50 + ($10 × 10) = $150. Missouri: $50 + $0 = $50.
Missouri cheapest long-term, but Kentucky's $190 for 10 years still beats most states' annual fees alone.
Tax Considerations
Kentucky income tax: 4.5% flat rate (simple, moderate). Pass-through taxation like all LLCs.
Sales tax: 6% statewide (no local variations). Limited Liability Entity Tax (LLET): $175 minimum for gross receipts above $3M.
Limited Liability Entity Tax (LLET)
Kentucky LLET applies to LLCs with Kentucky gross receipts above $3M. $175 minimum, scales to 0.095% of receipts.
Most small LLCs pay $0 LLET (under $3M threshold). Factor this in if projecting high revenue.
Operating Agreement
Not required by KY law but HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for all LLCs.
Kentucky courts enforce Operating Agreement provisions. Important for multi-member LLCs.
Foreign LLC
Out-of-state LLCs doing business in Kentucky must register as foreign LLC. $90 filing fee.
Annual report still required: $15/year due June 30 (same as domestic LLCs).
When Foreign Registration Required
Maintaining office in KY, employing KY workers, owning KY real estate, regularly conducting business in state.
Online sales to KY customers typically don't require foreign registration (no physical presence).
Common Mistakes
Forming in May-June: LLC formed May 2024 pays $15 annual report June 2024 (1 month later). Better to wait until July.
Missing June 30 deadline: ALL Kentucky LLCs due same day. Easy to remember but easy to forget in summer.
Underestimating LLET: If gross receipts hit $3M, LLET adds $175-$1,000+ annually. Plan for this threshold.
When KY Makes Sense
Choose Kentucky LLC if: Want absolute lowest LLC costs in US, operating in Kentucky/Ohio/Indiana region, budget-conscious startup, value simple flat tax rate.
Best for: Bootstrap startups, side businesses, small consulting firms, ecommerce sellers, anyone prioritizing cost savings.
Consider alternatives if: Need formation date anniversary (not June 30 universal deadline), revenue will exceed $3M (LLET applies), operating primarily outside Kentucky.
Bourbon & Manufacturing
Kentucky known for bourbon production (95% of world's bourbon). Distilleries, tourism, related businesses thrive.
Manufacturing strong in automotive (Toyota), appliances. Established supply chains and workforce.
Logistics Hub
Kentucky central location within 1-day drive of 60% of US population. Louisville major logistics hub (UPS Worldport).
Distribution centers, warehousing, fulfillment businesses benefit from geography and low LLC costs.
Trademark Lens verifies Kentucky LLC name availability before $40-55 formation costs.