Ohio LLC Formation: A $99 LLC With No Annual Report

Quick Facts

Ohio is simple for small LLCs. You pay $99 once, there is no annual report, and since 2025 the Commercial Activity Tax only applies to businesses with more than $6 million in gross receipts. For most new owners, the only yearly cost is their statutory agent.

How to Start an LLC in Ohio in 6 Steps

1. Choose a name. It must include “Limited Liability Company,” “Limited,” “LLC,” “L.L.C.,” “Ltd.” or “Ltd” and be different from names already on file.
2. Appoint a statutory agent. Ohio calls the registered agent a “statutory agent.” It needs a physical address in the state and must sign to accept the role.
3. File Articles of Organization. File online through Ohio Business Central and pay $99. You list the LLC name, the statutory agent and the person filing.
4. Write an operating agreement. It is not filed with the state, but banks and platforms will ask for it.
5. Get an EIN. It is free from the IRS. We apply for you if you don’t have an SSN.
6. Get a vendor’s license if you sell. To sell taxable goods in Ohio, you need a vendor’s license to collect sales tax. Online sellers without a location in the state usually register through the Ohio Business Gateway.

Ohio LLC Cost

These are Ohio’s state costs. Our service fee is separate, and we confirm the full price before you pay.

Item	State cost	When
Articles of Organization	$99	Once, at formation
Annual report	$0 (not required)	Never
Commercial Activity Tax	$0 unless gross receipts are over $6 million	Yearly, only if you pass the limit
Vendor’s license	Small state fee	Only if you sell taxable goods
Statutory agent	Paid service if you have no Ohio address	Every year

Many older guides say the Commercial Activity Tax starts at $150,000. That rule changed. For 2025 and later, businesses with $6 million or less in taxable gross receipts owe no CAT, and the old $150 minimum tax is gone.

Do You Need a Statutory Agent in Ohio?

Yes. Every Ohio LLC must name a statutory agent with a physical Ohio address. You can be your own agent if you live there. If you live elsewhere, or want your home address off public records, use a statutory agent service. We provide one.

Is Ohio the Right State for Your LLC?

If you live in Ohio or run your business there, form here. With no annual report and a high CAT limit, Ohio is one of the easier states to keep an LLC. If you live outside the US and have no Ohio ties, it can work, but Wyoming and New Mexico are more familiar to many banks and payment platforms.

How LLCPronto Helps With Your Ohio LLC

• Name check and Articles of Organization filed online
• Ohio statutory agent address
• Operating agreement and EIN
• Vendor’s license if you sell taxable goods
• Help opening Mercury, Wise, Payoneer and Stripe accounts
• Federal filing reminders, including Form 5472 for foreign owners

Need it urgently? Our urgent service costs more, and we tell you the price upfront.

Ohio LLC FAQs

How much does it cost to start an LLC in Ohio?

The Ohio Secretary of State charges $99 to file the Articles of Organization. Ohio has no annual report fee after that.

Does an Ohio LLC need an annual report?

No. Ohio does not require LLCs to file an annual report. You still need to keep a statutory agent.

Does my Ohio LLC pay the Commercial Activity Tax?

Only if your Ohio taxable gross receipts are over $6 million a year. Most small LLCs owe no CAT.

What is a statutory agent in Ohio?

It is Ohio’s name for a registered agent: a person or company with an Ohio address that receives legal papers for your LLC.

Can a non-US resident form an Ohio LLC?

Yes. You don’t need to live in the US or have an SSN. You need an Ohio statutory agent, and we get your EIN for you.

How long does it take to form an LLC in Ohio?

Online filings are usually processed within a few business days. Paid expedite options are available if you need it faster.

Compare Other States

Sources checked September 2026: Ohio LLC cost guide · Ohio CAT exclusion change. State fees can change, so we confirm the current fee before we file.