How Much Does an LLC Cost in Ohio? (Fees Revealed)
Starting an Ohio LLC protects your personal assets while requiring specific legal filings and corresponding expenses.
I've personally helped form 20+ LLCs in Ohio over the past eight years as a Mergers and Acquisitions specialist. Ohio stands out because it charges no annual report fees and has minimal ongoing compliance requirements.
To compile this guide, I interviewed three Ohio-based business attorneys and cross-referenced all fees against the Ohio Secretary of State's official fee schedule in December 2025.
Quick Summary
- The mandatory cost to start an Ohio LLC is $99 for filing the Articles of Organization.
- Ohio does not require LLCs to file annual reports, resulting in $0 recurring state fees.
- Optional expenses include registered agent services ($80-$300/year), name reservation ($39), and business licenses ($25-$350 depending on industry).
- One mistake I made early on: paying for expedited processing when standard 3-7 day turnaround would have sufficed, costing an unnecessary $200.
Cost to Start an Ohio LLC
There are mandatory and optional fees that have to be met when starting an LLC in Ohio.
1. LLC Formation Filing Fee ($99 - Mandatory)
To officially form an LLC in Ohio, you must file LLC Articles of Organization with the Secretary of State.
This document includes essential information about the LLC, including its name, address, registered agent, and members. The filing fee for the Articles of Organization in Ohio is $99, as stated in the Ohio Secretary of State's Form 610 [1].
For clients who want to start their businesses as soon as possible, the state offers accelerated processing.
I found the expedited service cost-effective and efficient since my application was approved within 1 business day for a $200 accelerated service fee.
"Registering your LLC in Ohio costs only $99, and without the requirement to file an annual report, starting a business in the Buckeye State is quite cost-effective."
- Jon Morgan, CEO, Co-Founder & Editor-in-Chief of Venture Smarter
2. Registered Agent Service Fee ($80-$300 – Optional)
The Ohio Statutory Agent or registered agent fee is a fee charged by Ohio to cover the costs of registering your LLC with the state. This fee is paid annually, currently between $80 to $300, if you intend to employ the services of one.
The additional filling fee costs $25 [2].
3. Name Reservation Fee ($39 - Optional)
Before forming an Ohio LLC, I always remind clients to ensure that the desired business name is available and comply with state guidelines.
The Ohio Secretary of State's office charges a fee for checking the availability of a name and reserving it for 180 days. You’ll have to pay a $39 name reservation filing fee [3].
Expenses Following the Approval of Your LLC
Once the business is fully operational, other requirements and documentation may add to the overall cost.
1. Business License ($25 - $350 - Depending on the Nature of the Business)
The fees for Ohio business licenses and permits can vary widely depending on the type of business, location, and regulatory requirements involved. Typically, it starts from $25 to $350.
A colleague of mine was required to obtain a professional license and business permits to operate a law firm in the state.
It is advisable to research the specific licenses and permits relevant to your industry and consult with the appropriate state and local agencies to determine the associated costs.
2. Annual Report Fee ($0)
Unlike most states, Ohio does not require LLCs to file annual reports with the Secretary of State. This eliminates both the paperwork and the recurring fees that business owners in other states must budget for annually.
If your LLC's registered agent or address changes, you must file a Statutory Agent Update form with a $25 fee — but no routine annual filing is required.
3. Tax Implications And Associated Costs (Mandatory)
LLCs operating in Ohio that sell goods or certain services must collect and remit the state's sales tax of 5.75%. County and transit authorities can add up to to 2.25%, bringing the maximum combined rate to 8% in most jurisdictions.
As of July 2025, areas within the Central Ohio Transit Authority district can reach 8.25% following a 0.5% rate increase.
Ohio's Commercial Activity Tax changed dramatically in 2024 and 2025. The CAT now only applies to businesses with taxable gross receipts exceeding $6 million annually.
If your LLC generates less than $6 million in gross receipts, you owe nothing and are not required to file CAT returns. The previous annual minimum tax ($150-$2,600) was eliminated entirely in 2024.
For LLCs exceeding the $6 million threshold, the CAT rate is 0.26% on gross receipts above the exclusion amount. Returns must be filed quarterly.
I recommend consulting a tax professional if your LLC approaches this threshold, as the rules around combined entity receipts and Ohio-sourced revenue can be complex.
4. Ohio LLC Operating Agreement (Optional, but Recommended)
While Ohio law does not require LLCs to have an operating agreement, I highly recommend clients to create one since it would act as a contract between members.
The Ohio LLC cost of creating an operating agreement can vary depending on whether you hire an attorney or use an online legal service. Online services could charge around $100 to $200.
5. Filing A DBA Cost ($25 - Optional)
When I had to file a DBA (Doing Business As) for a client, I was charged $25, which covers the paperwork and processing required to establish a fictitious business name within the state.
6. EIN ($0 - Optional, but Recommended)
An Employer Identification Number is necessary for paying income taxes, opening a business bank account, applying for loans, and hiring employees.
You can apply for an EIN on the Internal Revenue Service website at no additional cost.
Related articles:
FAQs
How Much Does it Cost to Set Up an Ohio Foreign LLC?
It costs $99 to set up an Ohio Foreign LLC. This fee covers the Registration of a Foreign Limited Liability Company in the state.
Is There A Penalty For Paying My Taxes Late In Ohio?
There’s a penalty for paying your taxes late in Ohio. The state imposes a 3% interest on delinquent taxes.
References:
- https://www.ohiosos.gov/globalassets/business/forms/610_web.pdf
- https://www.ohiosos.gov/businesses/filing-forms--fee-schedule/
- https://www.ohiosos.gov/globalassets/business/forms/534b.pdf
