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Biz Formation Academy

A plain textbook on LLC paperwork, one state per chapter.

Textbook chapter 1 · Kentucky

Kentucky LLC Formation Chapter (2026): 8 Sections and the 3 Best LLC Services

For forming an LLC in Kentucky in 2026, this chapter recommends Mainstay Filing ($199), Kentucky Registered Agent.co ($199) and KY Registered Agent.org ($199), ranked from first to last. Formation in Kentucky comes to 8 sections and a $40 state fee, plus $15 for the annual report.
Written by the Biz Formation Academy editorial board

Key points

Charge at the filing office $40 Source text at sos.ky.gov, October 2026
Annual report $15 a year Due date as the state words it: on or before June 30
Yearly minimum tax $175 Source text at revenue.ky.gov, October 2026
Three-year state cost $595 State charges only
Sections 8 Taken one at a time

Learning objectives

  • Where and how a Kentucky LLC is filed
  • The registered agent requirement
  • What follows formation
  • Which services are recommended and why

Who we recommend in Kentucky

The editorial board's five criteria are explained on how we grade and determine the order.

1. Mainstay Filing: best for no annual report to prepare

Read this one first
$199 per year; checkout collects $239, which includes the state fee

This chapter recommends Mainstay Filing above the others, because a yearly fee of $199 pays for the formation, the registered agent and the annual report, and the second year is $199 again.

Three years cost $200 more than Kentucky Registered Agent.co, yet this service completes more of the paperwork, and the ranking weighs that.

Each annual report is filed for you, and the only addition is the state's $15.

Price covers

  • Formation filing
  • Registered agent for the full year
  • Annual report prepared and filed
  • The EIN application is part of the price
  • State fee passed through at cost

Advantages

  • $199 annually, all inclusive
  • No added charge for the EIN application
  • No increase at renewal ($199)

Limitations

  • Kentucky Registered Agent.co renews for $100 less
Visit Mainstay Filing Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.

2. Kentucky Registered Agent.co: best for Kentucky LLCs that watch every dollar

Single-state plan
$199 plus the state fee, then $99 a year

Entry number 2 is Kentucky Registered Agent.co, where the filing price is $199, and later years of agent service are $99 each.

Set aside time for the annual report every year; the price omits it.

Price covers

  • The filing is made for you
  • One year of agent service is built into the price

Advantages

  • Year-one agent service at no added cost
  • $99 a year after that
  • A formation charge of $199

Limitations

  • The annual report is left for the owner to file
  • The EIN application is not included ($99)
Visit Kentucky Registered Agent.co Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.

3. KY Registered Agent.org: best for LLCs that stay in Kentucky

Single-state plan
$199 plus the state fee, then $99 a year

Entry number 3 is KY Registered Agent.org, where the filing price is $199, and later years of agent service are $99 each.

Set aside time for the annual report every year; the price omits it.

It charges exactly what Kentucky Registered Agent.co charges.

Price covers

  • The filing is made for you
  • One year of agent service is built into the price

Advantages

  • A formation charge of $199
  • $99 a year after that
  • Year-one agent service at no added cost

Limitations

  • The annual report is left for the owner to file
  • The EIN application is not included ($99)
Visit KY Registered Agent.org Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.

All prices in one table

#ServiceFirst yearFrom year twoThree-year total
1 Mainstay Filing $199$199/yr$597 Visit Mainstay Filing Partner link. We may earn money if you buy.
2 Kentucky Registered Agent.co $199$99/yr$397 Visit Kentucky Registered Agent.co 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.

Listed prices, consulted November 13, 2026. Each row still owes Kentucky's $40 fee.

The sections

  1. Section 1

    Confirm the name is not taken

    Before filing, search the Kentucky Secretary of State for the name you want. A match with an existing Kentucky entity usually means choosing another.

    Write down an alternate name in case the first is taken.

  2. Section 2

    Designate the registered agent

    Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address. A Kentucky resident, or an entity qualified to do business in Kentucky, whose business address is the registered office. The agent signs or files a written acceptance.

    The address has to be a physical registered office in Kentucky that matches the agent's business address. A P.O. box is not enough.

    Providing the registered agent is part of what each recommended service sells.

    Reference: Source text at apps.legislature.ky.gov, October 2026

  3. Section 3

    File alone or pay for assistance

    Both routes pay $40 to the state. The services in the ranking charge $199 more and do the forms.

  4. Section 4

    Section four is the Articles of Organization - Profit Limited Liability Company

    Required: the Articles of Organization - Profit Limited Liability Company (Form KLC), the $40 fee, and delivery to the Kentucky Secretary of State.

    Reference: Source text at sos.ky.gov, October 2026

  5. Section 5

    A rule specific to Kentucky

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

    Reference: Source text at revenue.ky.gov, October 2026

  6. Section 6

    Get the EIN

    Approval comes first and the IRS number second. With Mainstay Filing this section is completed for you.

  7. Section 7

    Put the ownership terms in writing

    Think of the operating agreement as the owners' written rules. The company keeps it; the state does not ask for a copy.

  8. Section 8

    Maintain good standing in Kentucky

    Calendar entry for the owner: the annual report, at $15, every year, due on or before June 30. One further yearly cost is a tax: Limited Liability Entity Tax: a $175 minimum each year to the Department of Revenue.

    Reference: Source text at sos.ky.gov, August 2026

The price list

EntryWho is paidTotal
Formation filing fee Government$40
Annual report Government$15 every year
Minimum tax each year Government$175 a year
Optional service The service$199 in year one
Three years of state fees Government$595

Rows for the state rely on Kentucky's published fee schedules (listed in the bibliography below), and each service row uses that company's own price. For three years the state row adds the filing, the report in year two, the report in year three and any minimum tax.

How the ranking came out

Chapters the price completes decided first place in Kentucky. It is 30% of the ranking, and the rest comes from tuition over three years, second-year bill, fit for the state syllabus and clarity of the price list.

Handling the annual report outweighed the lower price once the weights were applied.

Common questions

What is the cost of a Kentucky LLC formation?

The official schedule lists $40. Hiring one of them costs $199 extra.

Which form creates the LLC?

When the Kentucky Secretary of State accepts the Articles of Organization - Profit Limited Liability Company (Form KLC), the LLC exists.

Is a registered agent required?

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

What does Kentucky require each year?

Kentucky requires the annual report every year, at $15, with timing described as on or before June 30. A yearly minimum tax also applies.

Can I form the LLC without a service?

Permitted. File personally for $40 and arrange a registered agent.

Which LLC service should a first-time founder use?

Mainstay Filing, because the textbook price of $199 a year includes filing, a registered agent and the annual report, with no change at renewal. After it come Kentucky Registered Agent.co and KY Registered Agent.org.

Related chapters

Bibliography and primary texts

  1. Kentucky Secretary of State rests on sos.ky.gov, a text consulted August 2026.
  2. Kentucky Secretary of State rests on sos.ky.gov, a text consulted August 2026.
  3. Kentucky report due date rests on apps.legislature.ky.gov, a text consulted August 2026.
  4. KRS 275.025 rests on apps.legislature.ky.gov, a text consulted August 2026.
  5. Kentucky formation fee: Filing fee, official source rests on sos.ky.gov, a text consulted October 2026.
  6. Kentucky registered agent statute rests on apps.legislature.ky.gov, a text consulted October 2026.
  7. Kentucky other cost: Limited Liability Entity Tax, official rests on revenue.ky.gov, a text consulted October 2026.
  8. Prices quoted from the Kentucky service page at Mainstay Filing on November 13, 2026
  9. Prices quoted from the pricing page at Kentucky Registered Agent.co on November 13, 2026
  10. Prices quoted from the pricing page at KY Registered Agent.org on November 13, 2026