How much does an LLC cost in Kentucky?
Forming an LLC in Kentucky costs $40 in state filing fees, then $15/year to maintain. With File.Business, that's your total cost in year 1: we charge $0 service fee and registered agent is free year 1.
Kentucky LLC cost summary
| Year 1 with File.Business | $55 (state only, RA free) |
|---|---|
| Year 1 with LegalZoom (typical) | $304 ($249 LZ Basic) |
| 3-year cost with File.Business | $283 (RA free year 1, $99/yr after) |
| 3-year cost with LegalZoom | $850 (their RA ~$159/yr) |
Kentucky LLC cost breakdown
| Item | Kentucky cost | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| State filing fee (Articles of Organization) | $40 | Once at formation |
| Annual report fee | $15 | Every year |
| Registered agent service | $0 year 1, then $99/yr | Annual |
| Expedited filing (optional) | +$40 | Once |
| Federal EIN | $0 (IRS direct) | Once |
| BOI report filing | $0 federal + $249 our service | Once + updates |
| Operating agreement template | $0 free | Once |
| Privacy / identity protection (optional) | $25-$125 | Annual |
| File.Business service fee | $0 | Always |
Hidden costs to watch for
- Service-fee markups. Competitors often charge $99 to $499 to "form" your LLC on top of the Kentucky state fee. We don't.
- Registered agent renewal jumps. Year 1 is often advertised as "free" then jumps to $159 to $300/year. Our renewal is $99/year, locked.
- Annual report reminders sold as add-ons. Tracking the Kentucky annual deadline is included free with Pro.
- Document storage fees. Document vault is free on Pro plan.
- "Premium" tiers for things that should be free. Operating agreement, EIN, BOI report are not premium services; we include them.
Form your Kentucky LLC for $40 total
State filing fee only. $0 service fee. Free registered agent year 1. Free operating agreement. Free EIN filing. BOI Report ($249) report. Start my Kentucky LLC
Kentucky LLC cost FAQ
What is the minimum cost to start an LLC in Kentucky?
$40 in Kentucky state filing fees. Nothing else is required at formation.
What is the annual cost to maintain an LLC in Kentucky?
$15/year for the Kentucky annual report. Plus $99/year for registered agent (free in year 1).
Are there hidden fees?
Not with File.Business. We pass through state fees at cost. No service fees, no upsells disguised as required services.
How much does LegalZoom charge to form a Kentucky LLC?
LegalZoom's "Basic" plan is typically $249-$299 on top of the $40 state fee, totaling $289-$339. We charge $40 total.
What it actually costs to form your business
Pick your state. We show our service price, the state's filing fee, and your year-one total. No hidden costs.
On the $129/yr Compliance Annual Filings plan, we cover state late fees.
When you autofile your annual report through the $129/yr plan and we miss the deadline, we pay the state's late fee. The guarantee applies to that specific plan and the filings it includes. Other File.Business services are billed at the prices on this page.