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LLC cost guide · Kentucky

Kentucky LLC Costs (2026): Official Fees and the 3 Best LLC Services

For forming an LLC in Kentucky (2026), the order we'd use is Kentucky Registered Agent.co ($199), Mainstay Filing ($199) and KY Registered Agent.org ($199). Forming here costs $40 in state fees and the annual report adds $15 every year, ranking Kentucky 43rd of 50.
State Filing Data research desk

Kentucky fee data

of 50 states, three-year state fees

Rank 1 is the least expensive state. See all 50

State filing fee

$40

per sos.ky.gov, October 2026

Annual report

$15 / yr

Due: on or before June 30. per sos.ky.gov, August 2026

Minimum yearly tax

$175

per revenue.ky.gov, October 2026

Three-year state fees

$595

Formation, then two years of reports, with the minimum tax

Who we'd use in Kentucky

The methodology sets the order. Service fees over three years count most, then what the price covers.

Top of our list

1. Kentucky Registered Agent.co: best for a low-cost start

$199 up front, $99 a year from year two

We'd start with Kentucky Registered Agent.co: formation at $199 over the state fee and the agent at $99 from year two.

Lower three-year service fees than Mainstay Filing put it on top; cost carries 35% of our method.

You would file the annual report on your own every year.

What you pay for

  • Articles prepared and filed
  • First year of agent service

For

  • Agent included for year one
  • $199 + state fee
  • $99 yearly from year two

Against

  • Does not file the annual report
  • EIN help is $99
Most covered

2. Mainstay Filing: best for having the annual report filed for you

$199/yr plus the $40 state fee

Second on our list, Mainstay Filing: the annual report is filed for you inside a flat $199 yearly price that also pays for the registered agent.

Its three-year service fees are $200 above Kentucky Registered Agent.co, and service fees carry 35% of our score.

Filing the annual report is part of the renewal; the $15 state fee is extra, at cost.

What you pay for

  • Formation prepared and filed
  • Registered agent, all year
  • Annual report prepared and filed
  • EIN application
  • State fee billed at cost

For

  • $199 a year covers formation and agent and report
  • EIN application included
  • Renewal stays at $199

Against

  • Kentucky Registered Agent.co renews for $100 less
Single state

3. KY Registered Agent.org: best for filing your own reports

$199 up front, $99 a year from year two

In third place, KY Registered Agent.org: formation at $199 over the state fee and the agent at $99 from year two.

You would file the annual report on your own every year.

Prices match Kentucky Registered Agent.co exactly; either works.

What you pay for

  • Articles prepared and filed
  • First year of agent service

For

  • Agent included for year one
  • $199 + state fee
  • $99 yearly from year two

Against

  • Does not file the annual report
  • EIN help is $99

3 picks, side by side

#ServiceYear oneFrom year twoThree-year service fees
1 Kentucky Registered Agent.co $199$99/yr$397
Visit Kentucky Registered Agent.co Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.
2 Mainstay Filing $199$199/yr$597
Visit Mainstay Filing Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.
3 KY Registered Agent.org $199$99/yr$397
Visit KY Registered Agent.org Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.

Prices as published by each company on November 12, 2026. State fee ($40) not included above.

What an LLC costs in Kentucky over time

Totals combine Kentucky's fees (filing, then the annual report from year two) with each service's published prices.

Kentucky Registered Agent.co, 3 years: $992 ($595 to the state, $397 to the service).

Kentucky next to similar states

RankStateThree-year state fees
41st Florida$402.50
42nd North Carolina$525
43rd Kentucky$595
44th Maryland$700
45th Tennessee$900

All states: LLC costs by state.

Kentucky LLC filing fee, from the state

The formation filing is the Articles of Organization - Profit Limited Liability Company (Form KLC), filed with the Kentucky Secretary of State for $40. All listed services pass it through at cost.

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

The annual report (2026)

Plan on $15 for the annual report every year, due on or before June 30. On top of that: Limited Liability Entity Tax: a $175 minimum each year to the Department of Revenue.

Why this order

The split between Kentucky Registered Agent.co and Mainstay Filing sits in service fees over three years, which carries 35%.

Kentucky Registered Agent.co totals $397 over three years, $200 less than Mainstay Filing.

Kentucky: questions

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

The official fee is $40. The services we'd use add $199 for the first year.

How much is the Kentucky annual report?

$15, every year, due on or before June 30.

Where does Kentucky rank on LLC costs?

43rd of 50 on three-year state fees, at $595, counting from the least expensive state.

Is a registered agent required?

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

Is there a yearly LLC tax as well?

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

Which LLC service would you use?

Kentucky Registered Agent.co, Mainstay Filing and KY Registered Agent.org, in that order.

More for this state

Citations

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