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Ohio corporation cost

Official fees for forming and keeping a corporation in Ohio, from Ohio Secretary of State.

1 yearat least $99
3 yearsat least $99
5 yearsat least $99

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

Ohio corporation cost at a glance

Forming a corporation in Ohio costs at least $99 in state filing fees. After that, Ohio charges no annual report fee. Over five years the state's own charges come to at least $99, the 3rd 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
Minimum; rises with the number of shares authorized
$99 minimumcodes.ohio.gov
Annual or biennial report fee
Ohio has no annual report for this entity type.
$0www.ohiosos.gov
Foreign registration (another state's corporation)
Same statutory fee for a foreign for-profit corporation license and a foreign nonprofit corporation license.
$99codes.ohio.gov

What to know

How to form a corporation in Ohio

  1. Check the name. Search the Ohio Secretary of State business records to confirm the name is free. State filing page.
  2. File the articles of incorporation. The Ohio Secretary of State charges at least $99 to form a corporation.
  3. Name a registered agent. The agent needs a physical address in Ohio. You can serve as your own.
  4. Get an EIN. The IRS issues it free on its own website.
  5. Stay in good standing. Ohio charges no annual report fee. See What to know above for the details that are easy to miss.

Other business types in Ohio

An LLC costs $99 to start, with no annual report fee. A nonprofit corporation costs $374 to start including the IRS Form 1023-EZ fee, then a report fee of $25 every 5 years. Registering an assumed business name (DBA) with the state costs $39. Compare them in the calculator.

Registering an out-of-state corporation in Ohio

A corporation formed in another state registers in Ohio as a foreign corporation. The Ohio Secretary of State charges $99 for the registration.

Common questions

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

The state filing fee is at least $99, and Ohio then charges no annual report fee.

What does a corporation in Ohio cost over five years?

at least $99 in state fees and taxes, counting formation and every recurring charge.

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

$99, paid to the Ohio Secretary of State.

Compare with nearby states in cost

See every state ranked

Guides

What you'll need to start a corporation in Ohio

  1. 1

    File your Articles of Incorporation

    $99 minimum

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

    Do it yourself

    File with Ohio Secretary of State. 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 Ohio who receives legal and state mail for the corporation.

    Do it yourself

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

    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

    $0

    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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