Kentucky LLC formation guide › Cost
How Much Does an LLC Cost in Kentucky? (2026 Startup and Annual Costs)
Last verified 2026-06-28 · every figure is sourced below
Forming an LLC in Kentucky costs $40 upfront to file with the Secretary of State. Ongoing, budget about $190/year (the $15 report fee plus Kentucky's $175 entity tax).
First-year total: about $230.
| Item | Cost | Official form | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| State filing fee (Articles of Organization) | $40.00 | Articles of Organization (KLC) | official source |
| Name reservation (optional) | $15.00 | Name Reservation (RES) | official source |
| Total upfront cost | $40.00 sum of filing_fee |
— | calculated |
| Annual report fee | $15.00 | File annual report (online) | official source |
| State entity / franchise tax (per year) | $175.00 Kentucky Limited Liability Entity Tax (LLET): flat $175/yr minimum for entities under $3M KY receipts |
— | KY LLET (Dept. of Revenue) · KRS 141.0401 |
| Total per year | $190.00 sum of annual_report_fee + state_annual_tax_min |
— | calculated |
| First-year total (upfront + first year) | $230.00 | — | calculated |
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to start an LLC in Kentucky?
About $40 upfront to file the Articles of Organization with the Kentucky Secretary of State.
What are the annual costs of a Kentucky LLC?
About $190 per year (annual report fee plus any state entity tax).
What is the total first-year cost of a Kentucky LLC?
About $230 — the upfront filing cost plus the first year of recurring costs.