Ohio LLC Cost (2026): $99 Once, Then No State Report Fees
Ohio charges $99 to create an LLC and then asks for nothing on a yearly schedule. There is no annual report, no biennial report, and no franchise tax. That makes the state fee side simple. The costs that do show up in Ohio are tax items that depend on how much you earn and where you operate.
The $99 Form 610 and Your Statutory Agent
A domestic Ohio LLC is formed by filing Articles of Organization, Form 610, with the Ohio Secretary of State, usually online through Ohio Business Central. The fee is $99. Ohio calls the registered agent a statutory agent, and the agent’s acceptance of the appointment must be included with the filing.
The statutory agent can be you, if you have an Ohio address, or a business entity authorized to act as agent in Ohio. Whatever address you list becomes part of the public record.
Northwest Registered Agent
Ohio requires a statutory agent, and the agent’s address is public. $39 formation + $99 state fee, free registered agent for year one, then $125/yr.
$39 formation fee · Free registered agent for 12 months · Your address stays off public records · No data selling · No hidden fees
Form Your LLC with Northwest ($39) →Lowest 3-year cost we found: Northwest $289 vs Bizee $298 vs ZenBusiness $497 (service fees; state fees extra). Northwest also puts its address on your public filings instead of yours where the state allows.
Expedite Options: $100, $200, $300
Standard processing needs no extra fee. If you need the LLC quickly, the Secretary of State offers paid expedite tiers on top of the $99: $100 for processing within 2 business days, $200 for 1 business day, and $300 for 4 hours. Most owners do not need them. They matter when a lease, bank account, or contract signing is waiting on the approved Articles.
Why Ohio Has No Annual Report
Ohio simply does not require LLCs to file a periodic report with the Secretary of State. You do need to keep your statutory agent information current: if your agent resigns or moves and you do not update it, the state can cancel the LLC. Changing the agent is a separate filing with its own fee, so pick a stable agent from the start.
The Commercial Activity Tax and Local Taxes
- Commercial Activity Tax (CAT): starting in 2025, businesses with $6 million or less in Ohio taxable gross receipts are excluded. Above that, the rate is 0.26% on receipts over the exclusion. Most new LLCs owe nothing.
- Municipal income tax: many Ohio cities and villages levy their own income tax on net profits and wages. This is the tax most likely to surprise a new Ohio LLC owner.
- State income tax: by default the LLC’s profit passes through to the owners’ Ohio personal income tax returns.
Ohio 3-Year Cost
| Scenario | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | 3-Year Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northwest Registered Agent | $138 ($99 filing + $39, RA free) | $125 ($0 state + $125 RA) | $125 (same) | $388 |
| ZenBusiness (Starter) | $198 ($99 + $0 + $99 RA) | $199 ($0 + $199 RA) | $199 (same) | $596 |
| DIY, self as registered agent | $99 (Articles of Organization) | $0 (no annual report) | $0 (no annual report) | $99 |
Ohio’s DIY cost stays at $99 because nothing is due after formation. The $289 difference with Northwest Registered Agent over three years is entirely the statutory agent service, which gives the public record a commercial address instead of yours.
Form your Ohio LLC for $39 + $99 state fee.
Northwest Registered Agent: $39 formation, free Year 1 registered agent, compliance reminders, and your home address kept off public records.
Form My Ohio LLC for $39
Prefer a $0 upfront starter plan? Compare ZenBusiness (registered agent $199/yr).
When an Ohio LLC may not be worth it yet: with no annual fee, the main cost of waiting is liability exposure, not money. If you have customers, contracts, or employees, forming now is cheap insurance.
Why I Choose Northwest Registered Agent
After forming 3 LLCs myself and helping clients through the process, I keep coming back to Northwest Registered Agent. Here is why:
- Remarkable Customer Support: Quick, human responses every time.
- Caring & Privacy-Focused: Genuine service with full respect for your privacy.
- Lightning-Fast Formation: Often faster than promised.
- Incredible Value: $39 includes a free business address, mail scanning, and more.
- Clear & Transparent: No hidden fees or surprises.
Ready to form your business? Choose Northwest today!
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to form an LLC in Ohio?
$99 to file Articles of Organization (Form 610) with the Ohio Secretary of State. With Northwest Registered Agent the first-year total is $138 including a free first year of statutory agent service.
Does Ohio require an LLC annual report?
No. Ohio has no annual or biennial report for LLCs, and no franchise tax.
How much does it cost to expedite an Ohio LLC?
On top of the $99 filing fee: $100 for 2-business-day processing, $200 for 1 business day, or $300 for 4 hours.
Does my Ohio LLC owe the Commercial Activity Tax?
Only if its Ohio taxable gross receipts exceed $6 million, the exclusion in effect from 2025. Above that the rate is 0.26%.
