How Much Does an LLC Cost in Ohio? (Fees Revealed)
The Ohio Secretary of State charges $99 to file the Articles of Organization. That's the single document that has to go through before the LLC legally exists. That one payment is the whole mandatory cost of getting the business on record.
Ohio stands apart from most states on what happens next. There's no annual report to file and no yearly fee tied to it. Once the LLC is on record, the state doesn't ask for a check every year just to keep it there. A handful of other costs can still apply, depending on what the business does and how fast the owner wants the paperwork processed.
This page breaks down every LLC cost by when it applies. First comes what's owed to form the LLC. Then comes what can come up afterward. Last is what's only relevant in specific situations.
Quick Summary
- Ohio's only mandatory formation cost is a single Articles of Organization filing fee, paid once and never billed again.
- Most states require an annual report. Ohio skips it, so LLC owners never see that yearly bill in the first place.
- Rush processing comes in three separate paid tiers, from a two-day turnaround to a same-day four-hour option.
| Cost Item | Amount | Frequency | Required? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Articles of Organization | $99 | One-time | Yes |
| Expedited Processing | $100-$300 | One-time | No |
| Name Reservation | $39 ($25 transfer/cancel) | One-time | No |
| Annual Report | $0 (none required) | N/A | No |
| Statutory Agent Service | $0 self / $80-$300 hired | Every year | Yes (self-serve allowed) |
| Business Licenses & Permits | $25-$350 | Varies | If applicable |
| Trade Name (DBA) Registration | $39 | One-time | No |
| Certificate of Good Standing | $5-$25 | As needed | No |
| Ohio Business Taxes (CAT, sales tax) | Varies | Every year | If applicable |
| Operating Agreement | $0-$1,000+ | One-time | No |
| EIN | $0 | One-time | If applicable |
Cost to Start an Ohio LLC
Two costs apply before the LLC exists. One is the mandatory filing itself. The other is optional, for anyone who wants to lock in a business name ahead of time. See the full LLC cost breakdown for how Ohio compares to other states.
1. Articles of Organization ($99 - Mandatory)
This is the same $99 payment covered above. It's filed on Form 610 through the Ohio Secretary of State. Filing also works online at Ohio Business Central, the state's filing portal. The same form names the LLC's statutory agent, the person or company picked to receive legal papers for the business.
Standard processing runs on the state's normal queue, which can stretch during busy filing periods. Anyone who needs it faster can pay for one of three rush tiers instead:
- Level 1: $100 additional, 2 business days. Available by mail or in person.
- Level 2: $200 additional, 1 business day. Walk-in only, at the Client Service Center in Columbus.
- Level 3: $300 additional, 4 business hours. Also walk-in only, same building. Documents must arrive by 1:00 p.m.
Each tier stacks on top of the $99 base fee. It doesn't replace it. The quickest option runs $399 total.
2. Name Reservation ($39 - Optional)
Reserving a business name before filing costs $39. That's paid through Form 534B, and it holds the name for 180 days. Canceling or transferring a reservation afterward costs $25 instead. Owners who already know the name is available often skip this step and file the Articles of Organization directly.
Costs After Your Ohio LLC Is Approved
Once the LLC is formed, a much shorter list of costs follows. Some are tied to keeping the agent current. The rest only come up if the business needs a specific document or crosses a revenue line.
1. No Annual Report Fee ($0)
Ohio doesn't require LLCs to file a periodic report with the Secretary of State, not annually and not biennially. The paperwork most states mandate every year simply doesn't exist here, and neither does the fee attached to it. The only state-facing duty that continues is keeping a statutory agent on file.
2. Statutory Agent ($0 Self / $80-$300 Hired - Mandatory to Have, Optional to Hire)
Ohio law requires each LLC to keep a statutory agent in the state at all times [1]. That agent needs a listed address to accept legal papers for the LLC. Acting as your own agent costs nothing.
Many owners hire a service instead, typically $80 to $300 a year. The main reason is keeping a home address off the public record and having someone available during business hours. Changing agents later costs $25 through a Statutory Agent Update filing.
3. Business Licenses and Permits ($25-$350 - Varies, If Applicable)
Some industries need a state or local license before operating legally. Think a law practice, a restaurant, or a contracting business. Costs range from $25 to $350 depending on the industry and jurisdiction. Check with the relevant state board or local government for the specific license an industry requires.
4. Trade Name (DBA) Registration ($39 - Optional)
Operating under a name other than the LLC's legal name requires registering that trade name with the Secretary of State. That's done on Form 534A. The initial registration costs $39. Updating or renewing it afterward costs $25.
5. Certificate of Good Standing ($5-$25 - Optional but Recommended)
A Certificate of Good Standing confirms the LLC is current on its filings and hasn't been administratively dissolved. The standard version costs $5. A long-form certificate with more detail runs $25. Banks, lenders, and other states often ask to see one first. That's true before approving an account, a loan, or an out-of-state registration.
6. Ohio Business Taxes (Varies - If Applicable)
Two separate state taxes can apply once the business is running. Sales tax is the more common one. Ohio charges 5.75% at the state level. County and transit add-ons push the combined rate up to 8% in the highest-rate counties. A business selling taxable goods or services registers for a vendor's license before making its first sale.
The other is the Commercial Activity Tax, which only touches larger businesses. It applies once a business's taxable gross receipts in Ohio top $6,000,000 in a calendar year. Only the amount above that line gets taxed, at a rate of 0.26%. Below $6,000,000, an LLC owes nothing and doesn't need to register or file returns.
Businesses that do owe it file quarterly returns. Ohio also dropped its old flat minimum tax starting in 2024. A business that crosses the threshold today pays strictly based on receipts, not a floor amount.
7. Operating Agreement ($0-$1,000+ - Recommended)
No Ohio statute requires an LLC to have an operating agreement, let alone file one with the state. Skipping one still leaves ownership splits, voting rights, and exit terms undefined until a dispute forces the question. A free template covers the basics for a single-member LLC. A multi-member LLC often has more owners to coordinate. An attorney-drafted version for that setup typically runs $100 to $1,000 or more.
8. Employer Identification Number ($0 - Required for Some LLCs)
The IRS issues an EIN for free through its online application. It's needed to open a business bank account, hire employees, or file certain federal tax returns.
Multi-member LLCs need one regardless. Single-member LLCs only need one once one of those situations comes up. There's no reason to pay a formation service that charges extra for something the IRS hands out for free.
FAQs
Is an Annual Report Required for an Ohio LLC?
No annual report is required for an Ohio LLC. Ohio is one of a small handful of states that skips this filing entirely, so budgeting for an LLC here means one less recurring line item than most states require. Nothing else takes its place.
How Fast Can an Ohio LLC Be Approved?
An Ohio LLC is approved on the state's standard queue by default, which can shift with filing volume. Paying for expedited service speeds that up: $100 for a 2-business-day turnaround, $200 for 1 business day, or $300 for same-day processing within about 4 hours if received by 1:00 p.m.
Does an Ohio LLC Need a Statutory Agent?
Yes, an Ohio LLC needs a statutory agent for as long as it exists, and it's the one ongoing requirement that survives after formation with no annual report to remind an owner of it. Letting the agent lapse can end in a default judgment against the business.
Who Actually Owes Ohio's Commercial Activity Tax?
Very few new Ohio LLCs owe the Commercial Activity Tax. A single-member consulting or service business rarely gets anywhere near $6,000,000 in receipts in its early years, so this tax typically only becomes relevant once a business scales well past the startup stage.
Does Ohio Require an LLC Operating Agreement?
No, Ohio does not require an LLC operating agreement, and nothing gets filed with the state either way. A bank opening a business account for a multi-member LLC will often ask to see one anyway, so having it ready can save a delay at account setup.
What Does Foreign LLC Registration Cost in Ohio?
Foreign LLC registration in Ohio costs $99, the same amount as a domestic Articles of Organization filing, paid to the Secretary of State when an out-of-state LLC registers to do business here.
References:
- https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-1706.09
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
