Starting a business in Kentucky

HOW TO START A BUSINESS IN KENTUCKY

Starting a business in Kentucky can and should be easier than you think. You file simple forms with the secretary of state, and your business is formed! Obviously there’s a few more things than that, but if you’d like to start your own business yourself, you will find it easy to hire us as your registered agent and you’ll find all the forms you could file to start a business in Kentucky, along with great filing instructions on the quickest and cheapest ways to start your business in Kentucky.

What’s the actual process to start a business in Kentucky?

1. You file articles of incorporation for a Kentucky corporation or articles of organization for a Kentucky LLC with the KY Secretary of State. 
2. You obtain a federal tax ID number (FEIN or EIN) with the IRS after you have confirmation and filed articles from the State of Kentucky showing your approved Kentucky business.
3. Opening a business banking account under your new Kentucky business name should be easy with these two items.
4. Register with the Kentucky Department of Revenue and the Kentucky Labor Cabinet if you will have employees or withhold taxes.
5. Kentucky doesn’t have a general state business license requirement, but certain businesses do need specific state licenses. For example, if you need a trade or professional license, you do that at the state level. Licensing information and links are in your online account.
6. Some local cities or counties have a general business license, but most don’t.
7. You obtain a local trade license if the city or county you’re going to be working in requires it.
8. If you’re going to have an office or shop you might need an approval from the city zoning for your type of business in that location.
9. If you get overwhelmed, just get your business pulling in money and worry about regulations later.

If you want a corporation, you file Kentucky Articles of incorporation:

The Kentucky articles of incorporation cost $50 with the Kentucky Secretary of State. 
We custom draft your Kentucky articles of incorporation when you hire Northwest to start your Kentucky business. The basic requirements of Kentucky corporations are:

• An incorporating Kentucky ending such as Inc, corporation, or incorporated
• The class and number of Kentucky corporation shares you would like to authorize
• The corporations principal office address
• The name, address, and signature of the Kentucky incorporator(s)
• The corporations Kentucky registered agent
• KY articles of incorporation are effective when filed unless you state a later date

Kentucky does not require original signatures on new KY corporation filings. A stamped postcard will be sent to the KY corporations principal address. 

If you want a LLC, you file Kentucky Articles of organization:

To form a Kentucky LLC, you file Kentucky articles of organization. The basic requirements of Kentucky LLC filings are:

• The business name must have a limited liability company ending or variation of it
• New Kentucky LLCs name must be different than already registered Kentucky companies
• The LLCs principal office address
• Whether the LLC is managed by members or managers
• The articles of organization are effective when filed unless you state a later date
• The Kentucky registered agent and the physical address
• The Kentucky organizer’s name and signature

Kentucky does not require original signatures on new KY LLC filings. You’ll get a stamped postcard mailed to the principal address after the state approves your filing.

Are you a do-it-yourselfer? You can save some money:   

If you want to start a business in Kentucky yourself, you can just hire us as your Kentucky registered agent, and you'll instantly have the Kentucky LLC or corporation forms to file along with filing instructions on the quickest, cheapest, and most efficient way to incorporate a Kentucky corporation or form a Kentucky LLC. You'll get the ongoing support of our online tools, reminders and the support of a professional Kentucky registered agent service.