The state filing fee to form an LLC in Ohio is $99. Annual maintenance costs include no annual report ($0) plus a registered agent. Calculate your total first-year and ongoing costs below.
Last updated: April 2026 · Data: IRS, BLS, state sources
Ohio charges a $99 initial filing fee. Ohio does NOT require annual reports or charge annual fees to maintain an LLC in good standing. No franchise tax on LLCs. Ohio is very cost-effective for ongoing LLC maintenance - just $99 to form and no recurring state fees.
| Cost Item | Amount | When Due |
|---|---|---|
| State Filing Fee | $99 | One-time at formation |
| No annual report | $None | Not required |
| Registered Agent Service | $49–$300/year | Annually (at renewal) |
| Operating Agreement | $0–$1,500 | One-time (recommended) |
| EIN (Federal Tax ID) | Free | One-time (IRS.gov) |
| Business Bank Account | $0–$50/month | Monthly or free |
| Period | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| First Year (state fees + $49 RA) | $148 |
| Ongoing Annual (state fees + $49 RA) | $49/year |
| 5-Year Total Cost (+ RA) | $344 |
The Ohio state filing fee is $99. In the first year, total costs including a registered agent (~$49) and annual state fees ($0) amount to approximately $148. Ongoing annual costs are approximately $49/year.
Yes - Ohio requires all LLCs to maintain a registered agent with a physical Ohio address. You can serve as your own registered agent if you have a Ohio address, or hire a professional service. Professional services (~$49-$300/year) keep your personal address off public records and ensure you receive legal documents even when you're unavailable.
No annual report: $None required. Plus registered agent service (~$49/year). Total ongoing: approximately $49/year.
For most small businesses that operate in Ohio, forming in Ohio is the right choice. If you form in Delaware or Wyoming and do business in Ohio, you'll likely need to register as a foreign LLC in Ohio - paying fees in both states. Delaware and Wyoming make sense for businesses seeking venture capital, planning complex ownership structures, or operating entirely online without a home state nexus.
Standard LLC formation in Ohio typically takes 5–15 business days. Expedited processing is available for an additional fee and can reduce processing to 1–3 business days in most states. Online filing through the Secretary of State's website is the fastest option. Using a registered agent service like Northwest can also expedite the process.
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