What Does it Cost to Form an LLC in Ohio?

In Ohio, the cost of forming an LLC (limited liability corporation) online is $99. When the LLC’s Articles of Organization are filed, this fee is paid to the Ohio Secretary of State.

How Much Does an LLC in Ohio Cost?

Fee for filing an Ohio LLC online: $99

The biggest expense of forming an LLC is the $99 filing fee with the Ohio Secretary of State to register your LLC’s Articles of Organization online.

Variable Ohio Commercial Activity Tax

In Ohio, LLCs having gross revenues of more than $150,000 per year must pay a commercial activity tax. LLCs having gross revenues of less than $150,000 are exempt from this tax.

The Ohio LLC tax rates and information are as follows:

LLCs with gross revenues of between $150,000 and $1 million pay $150.
LLCs with gross revenues of more over $1 million must file and pay returns quarterly.
If you incorporate an LLC in the second part of the year, your CAT for the first year is $75.
If your taxable gross revenues exceed $1 million but are less than $2 million, you must pay a minimum tax of $800.
If your taxable gross revenues exceed $2 million but are less than $4 million, you must pay a minimum tax of $2,100.
If your taxable gross revenues exceed $4 million, you must pay a minimum tax of $2,600.

In addition, any gross revenues above $1 million are subject to a 0.26% tax rate.

0.26% x ($1 million in Taxable Gross Receipts)

A late filing penalty of $50 or 10% of the tax payable, whichever is larger, is imposed. Unpaid taxes may be subject to interest charges.

Fee for Statutory Agent

You may be your own statutory agent (also known as a registered agent) in Ohio, but employing a statutory agent service keeps your firm in compliance, reminds you of critical filing dates, and helps you avoid late fines.

How Much Does it Cost to Form a Foreign LLC in Ohio?

If you currently have an LLC established in another state and want to expand into Ohio, you must register your LLC as a foreign LLC in Ohio.

The fee for forming an Ohio foreign LLC is $99. A foreign LLC may be registered in Ohio by submitting a Registration of a Foreign Limited Liability Company (Form 533b) online or by mail.

Permits and Licenses for Businesses

Depending on your industry and geographical location, your company may need federal, state, and municipal permits/licenses to operate lawfully in Ohio. This is true regardless of whether you create an LLC or another sort of company structure.

Other Fees for Filing an LLC

There are several extra costs involved with forming an LLC:

LLC Name Reservation: File a Name Reservation / Transfer / Cancellation form (Form 534b) and pay the $39 cost to reserve your name for up to 180 days prior to LLC formation.

DBA (Doing Business As) Name:

To establish a name different than your official LLC company name, file a Name Registration (Form 534A) and pay the $39 filing fee.

Certificate of Good Standing: Banks and lending institutions often need an Ohio certificate of good standing. To get this certificate, you must pay a $5 cost.