Starting a Business in Kentucky Checklist

Check business name availability with the Kentucky Secretary of State Start by doing a search to see if your business name is available: https://app.sos.ky.gov/ftsearch/ You don’t need to reserve your business name in Kentucky prior to completing your filing. LLCs in Kentucky need to include the words “limited liability company” or “limited company” or the abbreviation “LLC” or “LC.” If you wish to abbreviate “limited company,” you must use the abbreviation “LTD CO.” Kentucky corporation names need to include the word “corporation,” “incorporated,” “company,” or “limited,” or the abbreviation “corp.,” “inc.,” “co.,” or “ltd.” Kentucky Secretary of State Office of the Secretary of State Business Filings 700 Capital Ave. P.O. Box 718 Frankfort, KY 40602 P: (502) 564-3490
File paperwork to form my business You form a new business entity by filing the documents with the Kentucky Secretary of State. To form a corporation, file your Articles of Incorporation and pay the $40 filing fee. To form a Kentucky LLC, file your Articles of Organization and pay the $40 fee. Normal processing is done in one day.You can mail your paperwork to the Secretary of the State or file online. If you file online you can choose to register with the Department of Revenue at the same time. http://onestop.ky.gov/Pages/default.aspx In your Kentucky LLC or corporation filing, include: – Business name and mailing address – Kentucky registered agent name and street address – Number of authorized shares (corporations only) – Names and mailing addresses of incorporators (corporations only) – Management structure (LLCs only) – Signature of organizer/incorporator, registered agent name and signature Incorporate in Kentucky with Northwest Registered Agent if you don’t want to complete the filing yourself. Business Filings Office of the Secretary of State Business Filings 700 Capital Ave. P.O. Box 718 Frankfort, KY 40602 P:(502) 564-3490
Register with the Department of Revenue You can register with the Department of Revenue a for variety of taxes online at http://onestop.ky.gov/Pages/default.aspx This is the same online filing system that you may use to form your business with the Secretary of State. You may mail in a Tax Registration Application form (available on the Department of Revenue website. If you file by mail, the Department of Revenue will take 5 to 10 business days to process. Income Tax: Corporate tax rate is 4% of the first $50,000 of taxable income; 5% of the next $50,000 of taxable income; and 6% of the taxable income over $100,000 Personal income tax rate ranges from 3%-5% Sales Tax: The state sales tax rate is 6%. There are no local sales and use taxes in Kentucky. Kentucky Department of Revenue Kentucky Department of Revenue P.O. Box 299, Station 20 Frankfort, KY 40602–0299 P: (502) 564–330 F: (502) 227–0772 http://revenue.ky.gov/business/register.htm
Get a business license? There is no state business license but some businesses need a trade or professional license. You can enter your business information online to see what types of state licenses you may need http://onestop.ky.gov/start/Pages/occupational.aspx Any other registration requirements? Check with the county and city where you do business to see if they have licensing requirements. Jefferson County/City of Louisville You need a license from Louisville Metro. The application form can be downloaded from the website at https://www.metrorevenueservices.org/Registration/. Check with County Clerk if outside Louisville Metro for any local business taxes or licenses. Fayette County/City of Lexington Business in the urban county are required to get an occupational license before the doing business. You can download the application form on the Revenue website http://www.lexingtonky.gov/index.aspx?page=2915 Local Licensing Jefferson County/City of Louisville Louisville Metro Revenue Commission 617 West Jefferson Street Louisville, KY 40202 P: (502) 574-4860 Fayette County/City of Lexington Division of Revenue Switow Building, 2nd Floor 200 East Main Street Lexington, KY 40507 T: (859) 258-3340 F: (859) 258-3309
Collect and Charge Sales Tax Do I need to collect Kentucky sales tax? You need to register for sales tax if you sell, lease, or rent tangible personal property, digital property, and certain services in Kentucky. What is the Kentucky sales tax rate? The state sales tax rate is 6%. There are no local sales and use taxes in Kentucky. How do I register for Kentucky sales tax? You can register with the Department of Revenue for a variety of taxes online at http://onestop.ky.gov/Pages/default.aspx If you mail or fax in the paper registration form, the Department of Revenue will take 5 to 10 business days to process. How much does a Kentucky sales tax permit cost? No fee Kentucky Department of Revenue Kentucky Department of Revenue Division of Sales and Use Tax P.O. Box 299 Frankfort, KY 40602-0299 P: (502) 564-5170 F: (502) 227-0772 krc.webresponsesalestax@ky.gov http://revenue.ky.gov/business/salesanduse.htm