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Kentucky corporation cost

Official fees for forming and keeping a corporation in Kentucky, from Kentucky Secretary of State, Business Filings.

1 year$65
3 years$95
5 years$125

Formation plus recurring state fees and taxes. Excludes registered agent costs. Adjust in the calculator.

Kentucky corporation cost at a glance

Forming a corporation in Kentucky costs at least $50 in state filing fees. After that, Kentucky charges a report fee of $15 a year. Over five years the state's own charges come to at least $125, the 5th lowest of the 51 states with full corporation figures here (the median is $285). Registered agent service and local licenses are extra.

Line by line

ItemAmountOfficial source
Formation filing fee
Profit corporations must also pay an organization tax based on number of shares.
$40www.sos.ky.gov
Annual or biennial report fee$15www.sos.ky.gov
Foreign registration (another state's corporation)
One fee listed for foreign profit and non-profit corporations and LLCs.
$90www.sos.ky.gov
Required filing with formation
Organization tax (minimum for 1,000 shares or fewer)
$10 minimumwww.sos.ky.gov

What to know

How to form a corporation in Kentucky

  1. Check the name. Search the Kentucky Secretary of State, Business Filings business records to confirm the name is free. State filing page.
  2. File the articles of incorporation. The Kentucky Secretary of State, Business Filings charges at least $40 to form a corporation.
  3. Name a registered agent. The agent needs a physical address in Kentucky. You can serve as your own.
  4. Get an EIN. The IRS issues it free on its own website.
  5. Stay in good standing. Kentucky charges a report fee of $15 a year. See What to know above for the details that are easy to miss.

Other business types in Kentucky

An LLC costs $40 to start, then a report fee of $15 a year. A nonprofit corporation costs $283 to start including the IRS Form 1023-EZ fee, then a report fee of $15 a year. Compare them in the calculator.

Registering an out-of-state corporation in Kentucky

A corporation formed in another state registers in Kentucky as a foreign corporation. The Kentucky Secretary of State, Business Filings charges $90 for the registration.

Common questions

How much does it cost to start a corporation in Kentucky?

The state filing fee is at least $50, and Kentucky then charges a report fee of $15 a year.

What does a corporation in Kentucky cost over five years?

at least $125 in state fees and taxes, counting formation and every recurring charge.

How much does it cost to register a foreign corporation in Kentucky?

$90, paid to the Kentucky Secretary of State, Business Filings.

Compare with nearby states in cost

See every state ranked

Guides

What you'll need to start a corporation in Kentucky

  1. 1

    File your Articles of Incorporation

    $50

    The document that creates your corporation with the state of Kentucky.

    Do it yourself

    File with Kentucky Secretary of State, Business Filings. You pay only the state fee.

    Have it done

    • Tailor Brands$0 + state feestate filing (Articles of Incorporation), processing in 14 business days. Registered agent $199/yr; EIN $99; Essential $199/yr and Elite $249/yr plans add faster filing and compliance
    • ZenBusiness$0 + state feestate filing (Articles of Incorporation), name check. Registered agent $99 first year, then $199/yr; EIN +$99
    • Zenind$0 + state feestate filing, name check, filing within 7 days. Registered agent and address +$99/yr; bylaws and certificates $99 unless on Standard or Premium
    • Registered Agents Inc$100 + state feestate filing, registered agent (1 yr), online account. Registered agent $200/yr after year 1
    • LegalZoomfrom $149 + state feestate filing (Articles of Incorporation), name search, tax consultation. Registered agent optional, price not stated on page

    Lowest listed price first, from each company’s own pricing page.

  2. 2

    Name a registered agent

    $0 yourself, or $99 to $200 a year

    A person or company with a street address in Kentucky who receives legal and state mail for the corporation.

    Do it yourself

    Be your own agent if you have a street address in Kentucky.

    Have it done

    • ZenBusiness$99/yrregistered agent (first year). Renews at $199/yr
    • Zenind$99/yrregistered address, mail scanning and forwarding. $99 per year
    • Registered Agents Inc$200/yrannual report filing. $200 per year

    Lowest listed price first, from each company’s own pricing page.

  3. 3

    Get an EIN (tax ID)

    Free

    The federal number banks and the IRS use for your corporation.

    Do it yourself

    Apply on IRS.gov. The IRS states you can get one "in minutes for free".

  4. 4

    File the annual report

    $15 a year

    The recurring filing that keeps the corporation in good standing.

  5. 5

    Open a business bank account

    $0 a month

    Keeps business money separate from personal money. Banks ask for your EIN.

    Options

    • Bluevine$0/mono minimum balance, no overdraft fees. Opening deposit: no minimum balance requirement
    • Mercury$0/mono minimum balance, no account opening fee. Opening deposit: none stated
    • Relay$0/mono minimum balance. Grow $30/month; opening deposit none (no minimum balance)

    Lowest listed price first, from each company’s own pricing page.

  6. 6

    Optional: elect S corporation status

    Filed with the IRS

    The IRS describes Form 2553 this way: a corporation or other entity eligible to be treated as a corporation files it to make an election under section 1362(a) to be an S corporation.

    Do it yourself

    IRS Form 2553.

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