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Plain CharterLLC questions, short answers.

Answered simply · Kentucky

3 Best LLC Services in Kentucky (2026), Plainly Answered

In Kentucky for 2026, we would use KY Registered Agent.org ($199), Mainstay Filing ($199) and Kentucky Registered Agent.co ($199), in that order. On top of the $40 filing fee, the services cost $397 to $597 over three years.

By the Plain Charter editorial team ·

Answer in brief

Cost to file
$40, paid once
Yearly upkeep
$15 yearly + $175 state minimum tax
Registered agent
Must have one
Our order
KY Registered Agent.org, Mainstay Filing then Kentucky Registered Agent.co

The Kentucky picks

Ranked by how we choose: three-year cost first, then what the price covers.
1Our first pick

1. KY Registered Agent.org: best for a small first-year bill

$199 plus the state fee, then $99 a year

We put KY Registered Agent.org at the top because formation costs $199 and the yearly agent renewal is $99.

Lower three-year cost than Mainstay Filing puts it first for a company staying in Kentucky.

You will file the annual report on your own.

The price covers

  • State filing handled
  • First agent year

Upsides

  • $199 over the state fee
  • Agent service, year one
  • Then $99 yearly

What to weigh

  • The annual report stays on your desk
  • Charges $99 for the EIN application
Visit KY Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
2Bundled

2. Mainstay Filing: best for having the annual report filed for you

$199 yearly, renewing at $199

Pick number 2, Mainstay Filing, makes the list because it is the only pick here that files the annual report for you, inside $199 a year.

It costs $200 more than KY Registered Agent.org over three years, and cost carries the most weight with us.

Report filing is included, with the $15 state fee passed through.

The price covers

  • The formation filing
  • Registered agent every month of the year
  • Annual report filed on time for you
  • EIN application
  • No markup on state fees

Upsides

  • Applies for your EIN
  • $199 a year covers filing and agent and report
  • $199 at renewal

What to weigh

  • A $100 yearly premium over KY Registered Agent.org
Visit Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
3Local choice

3. Kentucky Registered Agent.co: best for another local option

$199 plus the state fee, then $99 a year

Kentucky Registered Agent.co is next: formation costs $199 and the yearly agent renewal is $99.

You will file the annual report on your own.

KY Registered Agent.org charges the same, so this one is a close second.

The price covers

  • State filing handled
  • First agent year

Upsides

  • $199 over the state fee
  • Then $99 yearly
  • Agent service, year one

What to weigh

  • The annual report stays on your desk
  • Charges $99 for the EIN application
Visit Kentucky Registered Agent.coPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.

Compare at a glance

#ProviderFirst yearRenewalThree yearsWhat it covers
1KY Registered Agent.org$199$99/yr$397state filing handled; first agent yearVisit KY Registered Agent.orgPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
2Mainstay Filing$199$199/yr$597the formation filing; registered agent every month of the year; annual report filed on time for youVisit Mainstay FilingPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
3Kentucky Registered Agent.co$199$99/yr$397state filing handled; first agent yearVisit Kentucky Registered Agent.coPartner link. We may earn money if you buy.
Each company's published prices, November 12, 2026. State fees come on top and do not change by pick.

The plain answers

How much will forming the LLC cost?

Filing yourself costs $40. With a service, add $199.

Over three years the state collects $595 in total, filing fee included. from sos.ky.gov · October 2026

  • Limited Liability Entity Tax: a $175 minimum each year to the Department of Revenue.

Which form creates the LLC?

It takes one filing, the Articles of Organization - Profit Limited Liability Company (Form KLC), which goes to the Kentucky Secretary of State.

from sos.ky.gov · October 2026

Do I have to name a registered agent?

Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address.

A Kentucky resident, or an entity qualified to do business in Kentucky, whose business address is the registered office. The agent signs or files a written acceptance.

from apps.legislature.ky.gov · October 2026

What comes due after the LLC exists?

Keep the annual report current, every year, for $15. When: on or before June 30. The minimum tax is separate.

from sos.ky.gov · August 2026

Can I do it without a service?

Yes. Filing yourself leaves only the state's fees, $595 over three years.

The trade-off is $397 to $597 over three years against doing every form yourself.

How did you rank them?

Three-year cost (35% of our weighting) put KY Registered Agent.org first.

Three-year cost counts for 35% and what the price takes off your plate for 30%; the other three criteria are smaller.

$397 over three years for KY Registered Agent.org, which is $200 under Mainstay Filing.

See how we rank

Requirements, cited

RuleDetailSource
State filing fee$40from sos.ky.gov · October 2026
Registered agentMust have onefrom apps.legislature.ky.gov · October 2026
Annual report$15 every yearfrom sos.ky.gov · August 2026
State minimum tax$175 a yearfrom revenue.ky.gov · October 2026
State cost over 3 years$595Added up from the above
We add the filing, two years of reports and any minimum tax for the three-year line. Publication and other variable costs are excluded.

More answers

Who handles the EIN?

Mainstay Filing applies for it at no extra cost. KY Registered Agent.org adds $99; Kentucky Registered Agent.co adds $99.

Three years in, what has each cost?

KY Registered Agent.org $397, Mainstay Filing $597 and Kentucky Registered Agent.co $397, plus state fees.

Are the fees official?

Each state fee links its official source; each service price comes from the company's site.

Must I hire anyone?

Not required. Services charge for doing the paperwork for you.

Yearly state costs?

Keep the annual report current, every year, for $15. When: on or before June 30. The minimum tax is separate.

Who is your first choice in Kentucky?

First KY Registered Agent.org, then Mainstay Filing and Kentucky Registered Agent.co.

Cited sources

  1. Kentucky Secretary of State: sos.ky.gov (August 2026)
  2. Kentucky Secretary of State: sos.ky.gov (August 2026)
  3. Kentucky report due date: apps.legislature.ky.gov (August 2026)
  4. KRS 275.025: apps.legislature.ky.gov (August 2026)
  5. Kentucky formation fee: Filing fee: sos.ky.gov (October 2026)
  6. Kentucky registered agent statute: apps.legislature.ky.gov (October 2026)
  7. Kentucky other cost: Limited Liability: revenue.ky.gov (October 2026)
  8. KY Registered Agent.org pricing page, prices as of November 12, 2026
  9. Mainstay Filing Kentucky service page, prices as of November 12, 2026
  10. Kentucky Registered Agent.co pricing page, prices as of November 12, 2026