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<v Dan>To start an LLC in Kentucky, you file Articles of Organization, Form KLC, with the

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<v Dan>Kentucky Secretary of State, and pay $40.

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<v Maya>Is that all it costs?

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<v Dan>For the state filing, yes. And if your business is veteran-owned, that fee can be

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<v Dan>waived.

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<v Maya>This is The Business Formation Podcast.

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<v Maya>Today, Kentucky for 2026, in six steps, with what it all costs and the three best

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<v Maya>ways to have it filed for you.

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<v Maya>Where do we start?

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<v Dan>The name needs limited liability company, limited company, or an abbreviation like

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<v Dan>LLC or LC. It also has to be distinguishable from names already on record.

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<v Maya>How do I check?

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<v Dan>The Secretary of State has a free business search.

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<v Dan>Use that first.

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<v Maya>Can I hold a name while I get ready?

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<v Dan>Yes. A reservation lasts 120 days and costs $15.

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<v Maya>Who can be my registered agent in Kentucky?

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<v Dan>A Kentucky resident, a Kentucky entity, or an authorized foreign entity.

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<v Dan>It needs a Kentucky street address.

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<v Maya>And a P.O. box?

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<v Dan>No. Not accepted.

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<v Maya>Does the agent have to agree to it?

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<v Dan>Yes. The agent gives written consent by signing on the form.

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<v Maya>Is any of that private?

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<v Dan>No, the details are public. That's why many owners use a commercial agent.

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<v Dan>If you switch agents later, the change costs $10.

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<v Maya>Where does the filing happen?

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<v Dan>Online, through FastTrack. That's the Secretary of State's filing system.

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<v Dan>The fee is $40.

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<v Maya>I'm Maya, by the way, here with Dan.

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<v Dan>Good to meet you, Maya. One more thing about that fee.

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<v Dan>Veteran-owned businesses can have it waived.

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<v Maya>How long until it's processed?

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<v Dan>Usually the same day. It can take up to three business days.

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<v Maya>Is that the end of the filing?

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<v Dan>Almost. Kentucky law also asks you to file a copy with the county clerk where your

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<v Dan>registered office is.

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<v Maya>Do I send the operating agreement to the state?

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<v Dan>No. It isn't filed with the Secretary of State, and there's no state fee.

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<v Dan>Keep it with your records.

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<v Maya>Does it have to be on paper?

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<v Dan>Kentucky allows written or oral agreements.

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<v Dan>Still, put yours in writing.

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<v Maya>What goes in it?

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<v Dan>Who owns what, how profits are split, who makes decisions, and what happens if a

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<v Dan>member leaves.

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<v Maya>What about the federal side?

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<v Dan>Apply for your EIN free with the IRS at IRS.gov, after the state files your

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<v Dan>Articles.

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<v Maya>How quickly does it come?

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<v Dan>If the online application is approved, the IRS issues the number right away.

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<v Maya>Is there anything else Kentucky wants from a new LLC?

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<v Dan>Yes, the limited liability entity tax.

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<v Dan>The minimum is $175 each year, and you file it with the Department of Revenue.

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<v Maya>That's more than the formation fee.

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<v Dan>It is. And one thing you can skip: the beneficial ownership report.

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<v Dan>FinCEN no longer requires it from U.S.

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<v Dan>companies.

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<v Maya>What do I file once I'm formed?

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<v Dan>An annual report, every year, between January 1 and June 30.

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<v Maya>When does the first one come?

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<v Dan>The year after you form. It's $15.

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<v Maya>And if I forget?

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<v Dan>After a 60-day notice, the LLC is administratively dissolved.

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<v Maya>What does it take to come back?

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<v Dan>A $100 reinstatement penalty, plus the annual report, plus a letter of good standing

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<v Dan>from the Department of Revenue.

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<v Maya>Give me the do-it-yourself number.

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<v Dan>$40 to form. Then $15 a year for the annual report.

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<v Maya>And the EIN?

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<v Dan>Free.

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<v Maya>Anything optional?

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<v Dan>A name reservation at $15 for 120 days, and a $10 fee if you change agents

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<v Dan>later. Neither is required.

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<v Maya>What about the entity tax?

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<v Dan>The $175 minimum is on top of those.

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<v Maya>So the first-year state costs?

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<v Dan>$40 for the Articles, and the entity tax minimum of $175.

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<v Dan>The first $15 report comes the year after you form.

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<v Maya>Let me go back to that county clerk copy.

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<v Maya>Why does it matter?

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<v Dan>Kentucky law asks you to file a copy with the county clerk where your registered

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<v Dan>office is.

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<v Maya>So it's a second filing.

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<v Dan>Yes, in addition to the one with the Secretary of State.

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<v Maya>Is it a state filing fee?

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<v Dan>The state fee is the $40 for the Articles.

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<v Dan>The clerk copy is a separate step.

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<v Maya>Add it to the checklist, then.

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<v Dan>Right.

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<v Maya>Walk me through the agent rules once more.

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<v Dan>A Kentucky resident, a Kentucky entity, or an authorized foreign entity, at a

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<v Dan>Kentucky street address.

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<v Maya>What does the agent sign?

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<v Dan>A written consent, right on the form.

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<v Maya>And the catch with doing it yourself?

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<v Dan>Your agent's name and address are public record.

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<v Dan>A P.O. box isn't allowed either.

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<v Maya>What does a change cost?

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<v Dan>$10.

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<v Maya>Let me press on the annual report.

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<v Maya>It's only $15.

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<v Dan>Which makes it easy to remember, and costly to miss.

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<v Maya>What's the sequence if it's late?

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<v Dan>The state sends a 60-day notice.

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<v Dan>After that the LLC is administratively dissolved.

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<v Maya>And then?

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<v Dan>Reinstatement. The $100 penalty, the annual report, and the Department of Revenue

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<v Dan>letter.

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<v Maya>So $15 on time is the simple path.

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<v Dan>By a wide margin.

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<v Maya>Give me the order of operations.

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<v Dan>Search the name. Choose your registered agent.

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<v Dan>File Form KLC online for $40. Send the copy to the county clerk.

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<v Dan>Then get your EIN and write your operating agreement.

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<v Maya>And the calendar?

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<v Dan>The $15 annual report, between January 1 and June 30, every year.

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<v Dan>And the $175 minimum entity tax, filed with the Department of Revenue.

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<v Maya>What if I'd rather have someone else file?

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<v Dan>Here are the three best ways to file in Kentucky.

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<v Dan>Number one, our pick, is Mainstay Filing, $199 a year plus the

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<v Dan>state fee. With the $40 state fee, checkout comes to $239.

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<v Maya>What does that include?

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<v Dan>Your Articles filed, your EIN application, and your registered agent every year.

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<v Dan>It renews at the same $199.

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<v Maya>And the annual report?

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<v Dan>Mainstay prepares and files it by June 30 every year.

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<v Dan>You pay only the $15 state fee.

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<v Maya>Number two?

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<v Dan>KY Registered Agent.org. It prepares and files your Articles for $199

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<v Dan>plus the state fee, also $239 at checkout.

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<v Dan>The first year of agent service is free, then it's $99 a year.

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<v Maya>And number three?

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<v Dan>Kentucky Registered Agent.co. Same offer.

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<v Dan>$199 plus the state fee, first year of agent service free, then $99 a

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<v Dan>year.

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<v Maya>How do I choose?

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<v Dan>If you'll file your own annual report, numbers two and three cost less from year

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<v Dan>two, at $99 a year for the agent alone.

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<v Dan>The $15 state fee is the same either way.

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<v Maya>Give me the three-year view.

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<v Dan>Mainstay is $199 a year, so $597.

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<v Dan>Number two or three is $199 in year one, then $99 in each of the next two years,

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<v Dan>for $397.

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<v Maya>A $200 gap.

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<v Dan>Yes, and with Mainstay that gap pays for the annual report being filed each year.

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<v Maya>Can I hear it one more time?

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<v Dan>Choose a name with LLC in it, name a registered agent at a Kentucky street address,

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<v Dan>file Form KLC for $40, write an operating agreement, get your free EIN, and

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<v Dan>file your $15 annual report by June 30 every year.

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<v Maya>The links to all three services and every official source are in the show notes.

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<v Maya>Thanks for listening to The Business Formation Podcast, and good luck with your new

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<v Maya>Kentucky LLC.