Launch Your Ohio LLC in the Buckeye State

Ohio LLC Formation Costs

Ohio LLC formation costs:

• State filing fee: $99
• No annual report required
• No franchise tax for most LLCs
• Registered agent: Required (typically $99-$299/year)

Ohio is one of few states with no annual report requirement, making the ongoing cost just your registered agent fee. This makes Ohio extremely cost-effective for LLC maintenance.

Ongoing Compliance Requirements

No, Ohio doesn’t require annual reports for LLCs, making it one of the simplest states for ongoing compliance. You only need to:

• Maintain a registered agent (called “statutory agent” in Ohio)
• Keep your business information current
• File amendments for major changes

This lack of annual requirements saves both time and money compared to most states.

Formation Timeline

Ohio processing times:

• Standard online filing: 3-5 business days
• Expedited processing: 2-3 business days for $100 additional
• Paper filing: 7-10 business days

Ohio’s online filing system provides quick processing and immediate confirmation numbers.

Business Climate and Advantages

Ohio offers a business-friendly environment with its central US location, diverse economy, and affordable costs. The state maintains no annual report requirement for LLCs, reducing ongoing compliance costs. Ohio uses a unique Commercial Activity Tax instead of traditional corporate income tax, with rates of 0.26% on gross receipts over $1 million and no tax for receipts under $150,000. Most small LLCs pay little or no CAT, making Ohio particularly tax-friendly for startups.

Key Industry Sectors

Ohio maintains diverse economic sectors across major cities. Columbus serves as the state capital with government contracting opportunities and Ohio State University providing talent and research capabilities. Cleveland excels in healthcare and manufacturing, while Cincinnati offers strong corporate headquarters presence. The state’s manufacturing heritage supports automotive and industrial sectors, while emerging tech ecosystems develop in all major metros. Healthcare systems throughout Ohio create robust opportunities in life sciences and medical technology.

Registered Agent Requirements

Ohio uses the term “statutory agent” instead of “registered agent,” but requirements are the same. The statutory agent must have an Ohio street address and be available during business hours to receive legal documents for the LLC. The agent can be an individual or company. You can serve as your own statutory agent if you have an Ohio address, or hire a professional service for reliability and privacy protection.