Forming a Kentucky LLC from outside the US

What we file

We prepare and submit your Articles of Organization to the Kentucky Secretary of State, with our partner as your registered agent in Kentucky. Before filing we search the Kentucky register for your name; if it is taken we ask you for another before anything is submitted.

• Name search against the Kentucky register
• Articles of Organization filed, state fee paid at cost
• Registered agent in Kentucky for 12 months, with mail scanned to your dashboard
• With Standard and Complete: EIN application, operating agreement and banking resolution

The name must be distinguishable on the Kentucky register and include LLC, L.L.C., Limited Liability Company, Limited Company or an accepted abbreviation.

Every year after

Annual report. The annual report costs $15 and is filed between January 1 and June 30 each year, starting the year after formation.

An LLC that does not file its annual report can be administratively dissolved. Reinstatement is possible but costs more.

Separately from the state, a foreign-owned single-member LLC files IRS Form 5472 every year, even with no income.

Processing time

Online filings are usually processed within one to two business days. Kentucky does not sell a paid expedite. Online filing is already quick.

Privacy

The Articles list the organizer, registered agent and principal office. The annual report lists managers, or members if member-managed, and is public.

Whatever the state publishes, your bank, the IRS and your registered agent always know who owns the company.

State tax

Kentucky has a flat state income tax and a limited liability entity tax. A single-member LLC owned by an individual with no Kentucky activity is not normally affected. Ask a tax adviser if unsure.

General information, not tax advice. Where you live decides most of your tax position; speak to a tax adviser in your country.

For a founder outside the US