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Formation Facts

What the state wants, and what it costs.

LLC cost guide · Kentucky

Kentucky LLC Fees (2026): What the State Charges and the 3 Best LLC Services

If you are starting a limited liability company in Kentucky in 2026, our recommendation is Mainstay Filing ($199), KY Registered Agent.org ($199) and Kentucky Registered Agent.co ($199), in that order. The state's share of your costs is $40 at formation, then $15 every year for the annual report; three years of it ranks 43rd of 50.
Briefing by the Formation Facts team

Kentucky: the quick briefing

43rd

of 50 for state fees across three years

A rank of 1 means the lowest bill. Compare all 50 states

  • Fee the state takes at filing

    $40

    sos.ky.gov, as confirmed in October 2026

  • Annual report

    $15 / yr

    Deadline, as the state states it: on or before June 30. sos.ky.gov, as confirmed in August 2026

  • Tax owed every year

    $175

    revenue.ky.gov, as confirmed in October 2026

  • What the state collects in 3 years

    $595

    Formation, then two more years of reports, with a minimum tax added every year

What we would pick in Kentucky

Five weighted criteria set the order (see the method): three-year fees 33%, filings covered 26%, and then renewal terms, fit with Kentucky rules and a clear state fee.

Our #1

1. Mainstay Filing: best for having fewer yearly chores

$199 a year, plus the state fee ($239 at checkout)

Our first choice is Mainstay Filing. $199 a year gets you filed, gets you a registered agent and gets your annual report sent in.

Compare it with KY Registered Agent.org and the three-year bill is $200 higher, with more of the filings handled.

Mainstay Filing sends in your annual report, and the $15 that Kentucky charges is passed along at cost.

What your money gets you

  • Prepares your formation papers and files them
  • Acts as your registered agent all year
  • Prepares and files your annual report
  • Applies for your EIN
  • You pay the state fee at cost

What works

  • The price holds at $199 when you renew
  • It files your EIN application
  • $199 a year pays for formation and an agent and the report

What to weigh

  • Your yearly bill is $100 larger than at KY Registered Agent.org
Visit Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.

Kentucky only

2. KY Registered Agent.org: best for low formation fees

$199 plus fees, then $99 yearly

KY Registered Agent.org takes second place because getting started costs $199 with the agent paid for in year 1; each year after is $99.

The annual report is not in the price, so you file it yourself every year.

What your money gets you

  • Prepares and submits your articles
  • First year of agent service

What works

  • $199 plus the state fee
  • Then $99 a year
  • The first agent year is included

What to weigh

  • Nothing in the price covers the annual report
  • $99 more for the EIN
Visit KY Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.

Kentucky only

3. Kentucky Registered Agent.co: best for another option in Kentucky

$199 plus fees, then $99 yearly

Kentucky Registered Agent.co takes third place because getting started costs $199 with the agent paid for in year 1; each year after is $99.

The annual report is not in the price, so you file it yourself every year.

KY Registered Agent.org and this provider charge the same.

What your money gets you

  • Prepares and submits your articles
  • First year of agent service

What works

  • The first agent year is included
  • $199 plus the state fee
  • Then $99 a year

What to weigh

  • Nothing in the price covers the annual report
  • $99 more for the EIN
Visit Kentucky Registered Agent.coPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.

The ranking in numbers

RankWhoYou pay in year 1Then per yearTheir fees across 3 years
1Mainstay Filing$199$199/yr$597Visit Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
2KY Registered Agent.org$199$99/yr$397Visit KY Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
3Kentucky Registered Agent.co$199$99/yr$397Visit Kentucky Registered Agent.coPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
All prices come from the companies' own pages, as they stood on November 13, 2026. Kentucky charges $40 to file, apart from what any provider bills.

State and provider fees by year

Pick how many years you want to total and which provider you would use. What the state takes is built from its own schedule: $40 when you form, then the annual report from year 2 and a minimum tax every year.
3 years with Mainstay Filing: you pay $595 to the state and $597 to the provider, $1,192 in all.

How Kentucky compares with the states near it in the ranking

RankStateThree-year state fees
41stFlorida$402.50
42ndNorth Carolina$525
43rdKentucky$595
44thMaryland$700
45thTennessee$900
The whole comparison lives at LLC costs by state, lowest bills first.

Kentucky: the fee and form for a new LLC

Expect the Kentucky Secretary of State to take $40 when the Articles of Organization - Profit Limited Liability Company (Form KLC) arrives. Each provider below bills it at what the state charges.

Limited Liability Entity Tax: a $175 minimum each year to the Department of Revenue.

Your Kentucky LLC's good standing and the annual report

Your LLC has to file the annual report every year and pay $15; the deadline is on or before June 30. There is one more charge to know about. Limited Liability Entity Tax: a $175 minimum each year to the Department of Revenue.

Our reasoning

What settled Kentucky was upkeep the price covers, at 26%.

KY Registered Agent.org costs less, but you would still have to file the annual report.

Common questions

How much will Kentucky charge me to form an LLC?

The state fee is $40. Our picks charge $199 in year 1.

What will I pay for the Kentucky annual report?

You pay $15, every year, and the deadline reads on or before June 30.

Is Kentucky a low-cost state for LLCs?

Kentucky ranks 43rd of 50 on three-year state fees, at $595. Rank 1 is the lowest total.

Will I need a registered agent in Kentucky?

Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address.

Does the state tax my LLC every year?

Limited Liability Entity Tax: a $175 minimum each year to the Department of Revenue.

Which LLC service should I choose?

Our ranking is Mainstay Filing, KY Registered Agent.org and Kentucky Registered Agent.co.

Keep reading

Where this briefing comes from

  1. Our figures on Kentucky Secretary of State come from sos.ky.gov. The last time we confirmed that page was August 2026.
  2. Our figures on Kentucky Secretary of State come from sos.ky.gov. The last time we confirmed that page was August 2026.
  3. Our figures on Kentucky report due date come from apps.legislature.ky.gov. The last time we confirmed that page was August 2026.
  4. Our figures on KRS 275.025 come from apps.legislature.ky.gov. The last time we confirmed that page was August 2026.
  5. Our figures on Kentucky formation fee: Filing fee, official source come from sos.ky.gov. The last time we confirmed that page was October 2026.
  6. Our figures on Kentucky registered agent statute come from apps.legislature.ky.gov. The last time we confirmed that page was October 2026.
  7. Our figures on Kentucky other cost: Limited Liability Entity Tax, official come from revenue.ky.gov. The last time we confirmed that page was October 2026.
  8. Our figures on Fla come from flsenate.gov. The last time we confirmed that page was August 2026.
  9. Our figures on Florida formation fee: Filing fee, official source come from dos.fl.gov. The last time we confirmed that page was October 2026.
  10. Our figures on Florida formation fee: Filing fee, official source come from flsenate.gov. The last time we confirmed that page was October 2026.
  11. Our figures on Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations come from dos.fl.gov. The last time we confirmed that page was August 2026.
  12. Our figures on Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations come from dos.fl.gov. The last time we confirmed that page was August 2026.
  13. Our figures on Florida yearly filing: Annual report: fee, official source come from flsenate.gov. The last time we confirmed that page was October 2026.
  14. Our figures on N.C come from sosnc.gov. The last time we confirmed that page was August 2026.
  15. Our figures on North Carolina formation fee: Filing fee, official source come from sosnc.gov. The last time we confirmed that page was October 2026.
  16. Our figures on North Carolina formation fee: Filing fee, official source come from sosnc.gov. The last time we confirmed that page was October 2026.
  17. Our figures on North Carolina Department of the Secretary of State come from sosnc.gov. The last time we confirmed that page was August 2026.
  18. Our figures on North Carolina Department of the Secretary of State come from sosnc.gov. The last time we confirmed that page was August 2026.
  19. Our figures on Md come from mgaleg.maryland.gov. The last time we confirmed that page was August 2026.
  20. Our figures on Maryland formation fee: Filing fee, official source come from mgaleg.maryland.gov. The last time we confirmed that page was October 2026.
  21. Our figures on Maryland formation fee: Filing fee, official source come from egov.maryland.gov. The last time we confirmed that page was October 2026.
  22. Our figures on Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation come from dat.maryland.gov. The last time we confirmed that page was August 2026.
  23. Our figures on Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation come from dat.maryland.gov. The last time we confirmed that page was August 2026.
  24. Our figures on Tennessee formation fee: Filing fee, official source come from sos.tn.gov. The last time we confirmed that page was October 2026.
  25. Our figures on Tennessee Secretary of State, Division of Business Services come from tnbear.tn.gov. The last time we confirmed that page was August 2026.
  26. Our figures on Tennessee Secretary of State, Division of Business Services come from sos.tn.gov. The last time we confirmed that page was August 2026.
  27. Our figures on Tennessee yearly filing: Annual report: fee, official source come from sos.tn.gov. The last time we confirmed that page was October 2026.
  28. Mainstay Filing states Kentucky service page on its site, and we looked on November 13, 2026
  29. KY Registered Agent.org states pricing page on its site, and we looked on November 13, 2026
  30. Kentucky Registered Agent.co states pricing page on its site, and we looked on November 13, 2026