How much does it cost to start an LLC in Kentucky?

The state filing fee is $40. Counting the recurring report and minimum state tax, year one costs $215 in state fees if you act as your own registered agent.

How much does an LLC cost per year in Kentucky?

After the first year, state fees average $190 a year: the annual report is $15 every year, and the limited liability entity tax (minimum) is $175 a year.

Is Kentucky a cheap state for an LLC?

Over 5 years Kentucky costs $975 in state fees, which ranks 42 of 49 jurisdictions we have confirmed, cheapest first. The median is $335.

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How much does an LLC cost in Kentucky? (2026)

Forming an LLC in Kentucky costs $40 in state filing fees. Year one comes to $215 and 5 years to $975, above the median state ($335). Most of the long-run cost is the limited liability entity tax (minimum), $175 a year, on top of the annual report at $15 every year.

$215Year 1, state fees

$190Average per year after that

$9755-year total

42 of 49Rank, cheapest first

Kentucky LLC, 5 years

State fees, acting as your own registered agent

Year 1

Formation filing fee$40

Limited liability entity tax (minimum)$175

Years 2 to 5

Annual report fee$60

Limited liability entity tax (minimum)$700

Total over 5 years$975

Assumes the recurring report is first due in year 2 and the minimum state tax every year from year 1. Income-based taxes and county or newspaper costs are not included.

Fees and official sources

Fee	Amount	How often	Source
Formation filing	$40	once	official page
Recurring report	$15	every year	official page
Limited liability entity tax (minimum)	$175	every year	official page

Adding a registered agent

You can be your own registered agent if you have a street address in Kentucky and are there in business hours. With the lowest standalone price on our list, Harbor Compliance (registered agent) at $99 a year, the 5-year cost becomes $1,470. Compare registered agent prices.

Kentucky deadlines and late penalties

The first annual report is filed between January 1 and June 30 of the year after formation, then by June 30 every year.
After June 30 the LLC is listed in bad standing and can be administratively dissolved.
Reinstating an administratively dissolved LLC carries a $100 penalty on top of the annual reports owed.

What to know before you file in Kentucky

State tax: Limited Liability Entity Tax (LLET): $175 minimum for LLCs with gross receipts or gross profits of $3 million or less; LLCs are subject to it.

Kentucky compared with nearby states

Among nearby states, Missouri costs $925 less over 5 years and Tennessee costs $1,025 more than Kentucky. The state where you form is usually the state where the LLC does business; forming elsewhere can mean registering in both.

State	To file	Year 1	Average per year after	5 years
Kentucky	$40	$215	$190	$975
Missouri	$50	$50	$0	$50
West Virginia	$100	$100	$25	$200
Tennessee	$300	$400	$400	$2,000

Questions

How much does it cost to start an LLC in Kentucky?: The state filing fee is $40. Counting the recurring report and minimum state tax, year one costs $215 in state fees if you act as your own registered agent.
How much does an LLC cost per year in Kentucky?: After the first year, state fees average $190 a year: the annual report is $15 every year, and the limited liability entity tax (minimum) is $175 a year.
Is Kentucky a cheap state for an LLC?: Over 5 years Kentucky costs $975 in state fees, which ranks 42 of 49 jurisdictions we have confirmed, cheapest first. The median is $335.

Sources, read verified 2026-11-15: sos.ky.gov/bus/business-filings/Pages/Fees.aspx · sos.ky.gov/bus/business-filings/Pages/Annual-Reports.aspx · revenue.ky.gov/Business/Corporation-Income-and-Limited-Liability-Entit · sos.ky.gov/bus/business-filings/Pages/default.aspx