Ohio LLC Cost: Filing Fee, Annual Fees and 5-Year Total
Forming an LLC in Ohio costs $99 in state filing fees and has no recurring state fee in our data. Ohio's estimated five-year state costs of $99 are 70% below the 51-jurisdiction median of $335.
Checked against official state sources (October 2026) · Last verified: October 29, 2026 · Sources
What an LLC costs in Ohio
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Formation filing fee | $99 | One time |
| Recurring state filing / report fee | $0 | No annual report for standard LLCs |
| Year-one cost | $99 | Formation fee + any year-one extra |
| Estimated 5-year state costs | $99 | Formation + year-one extras + 4 years of filing / report fees; ranks 5th cheapest of 51 |
The five-year figure counts state government fees and, where one applies, the separate mandatory annual state tax shown above. It assumes a single-member LLC owned by an individual with little or no income. It excludes registered agent services, formation-service fees, publication costs, local business licenses, income-based state taxes (income, gross-receipts, B&O, sales) and any optional extras. How we calculate it.
Other state taxes (not in the totals)
Ohio's Commercial Activity Tax applies only above $6 million of taxable gross receipts for 2026, and the $150 annual minimum tax was eliminated effective January 1, 2024. A small LLC pays no CAT.
Verified details
- Articles of Organization: $99, a one-time fee.
- Standard Ohio LLCs do not file annual reports with the Secretary of State.
Annual reports and upkeep
Ohio filing cadence: None. No annual report for standard LLCs. See annual reports and franchise taxes explained.
How to form an LLC in Ohio
- Check the name. Search the Ohio business records on the Secretary of State / filing office site to confirm your LLC name is available and includes an LLC designator.
- Pick a registered agent. Every state requires a registered agent with a physical street address in the state. You can serve as your own agent if you live in Ohio and are reachable during business hours, or hire a commercial agent. Registered agent guide.
- File the formation document. The state filing fee is $99. Use the state's online filing portal where available; paper filing is slower.
- Write an operating agreement. Most states do not require you to file one, but banks and partners typically ask for it, and it sets ownership and decision rules. Operating agreement basics.
- Get an EIN. The IRS issues EINs for free through its online application. Beware of sites that charge for it.
- Open a business bank account and calendar the deadlines. Put the recurring filing dates in a calendar so the LLC stays in good standing.
Want someone else to handle the filing in Ohio?
A formation service files the paperwork for a fee on top of the state fee and often includes a first year of registered agent service. It saves time, but you can file directly with the state for the state fee alone. Compare DIY and services.
See a formation service (partner link) Sponsored
Living or operating outside Ohio?
You can form an LLC in Ohio even if you live elsewhere, but if you actually do business in your home state you will usually also have to register the LLC there as a foreign LLC and pay that state's fees, so you may pay twice. In Texas, for example, an out-of-state LLC transacting business pays $750 to register. See forming an LLC in a state other than your own.
Compare Ohio with similar-cost states
Head-to-head: Ohio vs California · Ohio vs Texas · Ohio vs Florida · Ohio vs New York · Ohio vs Delaware · Ohio vs Wyoming · Ohio vs Nevada · Ohio vs New Mexico
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to start an LLC in Ohio?
The state filing fee is $99. Add a registered agent if you do not serve as your own, plus any local licenses.
What is the annual cost of an LLC in Ohio?
No annual report for standard LLCs. Other taxes or local fees may still apply.
Do I need a registered agent in Ohio?
Yes. Ohio requires every LLC to maintain a registered agent with a physical address in the state. You may act as your own agent if you meet the state's requirements.
Do I need an operating agreement in Ohio?
Most states do not make you file one, but you should have one. Check Ohio's LLC statute and ask your bank what it requires. We do not give legal advice.
Is Ohio cheap compared with other states?
Ohio's estimated five-year state costs of $99 are 70% below the 51-jurisdiction median of $335.
Sources
- Ohio official filing site: www.ohiosos.gov
- OH SOS: filing forms and fee schedule
- OH SOS: business FAQ
- ORC 111.16
- Ohio Dept. of Taxation: Commercial Activity Tax
- Ohio Dept. of Taxation: 2026 small business tax guide
Fees change. Confirm the amount on the state's official page before you file.
Fee data: official state government pages and statutes (checked October 28–29, 2026); sources are linked on each state page. See our methodology. Not legal or tax advice.