LLC for Beginners

LLC for Beginners › Kentucky

Forming an LLC in Kentucky for the first time

The Kentucky filing fee is $40. For a beginner the best service is Mainstay Filing: $199 a year covers the filing, agent, EIN application and the annual report, so year 1 comes to $239.

  • Official sources, checked October 20, 2026

Your Kentucky checklist

  1. File the Articles of Organization - Profit Limited Liability Company (KLC). $40 to the Kentucky Secretary of State.
  2. Registered agent. Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address. Mainstay Filing includes it.
  3. EIN. Free from the IRS; included in the application Mainstay Filing prepares.
  4. Operating agreement. Write one even for a single owner. No upcharge at Mainstay Filing.
  5. Annual report. Annual Report, every year, $15. Due: On or before June 30.
  6. Anything else. Limited Liability Entity Tax: a $175 minimum each year to the Department of Revenue.
Best for beginners

Mainstay Filing

Our rating: 4.9 out of 5

$199 / year + $40 state fee

  • LLC formation, prepared and filed
  • Registered agent, all year
  • EIN application (with an SSN or ITIN)
  • Annual report filed every year it is due where the state requires one
  • Compliance reminders and stored documents

Price from the Mainstay Filing pricing and FAQ pages, checked October 21, 2026. State fees are passed through at cost and shown before you pay.

Total for the first three years

$667 with Mainstay Filing, state fees included. Others: Northwest Registered Agent $359; ZenBusiness $567; Bizee $368; LegalZoom $817 (these totals leave out any charge for filing the annual report).

Questions

What is the best LLC service for a beginner in Kentucky?

Mainstay Filing. First year $239 including the $40 Kentucky filing fee; $214 in year 2.

Can a beginner file an LLC in Kentucky without a service?

Yes: file the Articles of Organization - Profit Limited Liability Company (KLC) with the Kentucky Secretary of State for $40. Required registered agent: 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.

Sources