Form your company in Ohio

Why form an LLC in Ohio?

Ohio stands out for low cost of upkeep: a $99 formation and no annual report at all. It's a genuinely reasonable pick if you operate here or want minimal recurring state paperwork — though a purely anonymity-seeking non-US founder may still prefer Wyoming or New Mexico.

A quick reminder from us: forming in a state where you do not actually operate usually means you still have to register (foreign-qualify) in your home state, often with little or no tax benefit. If you are unsure, tell us how you plan to operate and we will recommend the right fit — free.

Costs and fees

The Ohio Secretary of State charges roughly $99 to file Articles of Organization, with an ongoing state cost of about None (no annual report). No annual report fee; Ohio personal income tax applies to Ohio-source income, and the Commercial Activity Tax only bites above $6M in Ohio gross receipts (0.26%). State fees are paid directly to the state and are separate from our service fee.

• Filing fee: $99 (approximate)
• Ongoing state cost: None (no annual report)
• Typical processing time: Fast online; expedite options available

Taxes and privacy

Personal state income tax in Ohio: Yes. Owner privacy on the public record is generally rated medium.

Your federal tax obligations (and your EIN) are the same regardless of the state you choose — a single-member LLC is taxed as a pass-through by default, and we can obtain your EIN even if you do not have an SSN.

Pros of forming in Ohio

• Low $99 formation fee and, notably, no annual report or recurring state report fee to stay in good standing
• Commercial Activity Tax exclusion rose to $6M (2025), so most small LLCs owe $0 and don't even have to register or file for CAT
• Articles of Organization don't require listing member names, and no annual report means less owner info on the public record over time
• Fast online filing through the Ohio Secretary of State

Things to weigh

• Ohio personal income tax applies to Ohio-source income passed through the LLC
• Commercial Activity Tax can apply at 0.26% on Ohio gross receipts above $6M for larger businesses
• Limited benefit for a non-resident with no Ohio operations beyond the low upkeep
• Municipal income taxes may apply depending on where you actually do business in Ohio

Banking for your Ohio LLC

You can bank from any state regardless of forming in Ohio. Fintechs like Mercury, Wise, and Relay onboard LLCs from any state; expect standard KYC (EIN, formation docs, owner ID) — Ohio imposes no special banking rules.

Whichever state you choose, we prepare the documents banks ask for and can obtain your EIN even without an SSN. Bank and provider approval is always their decision — we are not affiliated with any bank.

Is Ohio right for you?

Best for: Founders operating in Ohio wanting low upkeep. If you operate physically in Ohio, forming here keeps things simple. If you are a remote or non-US founder without a specific reason to choose Ohio, a low-cost, privacy-friendly state like Wyoming or New Mexico is often the better default.

Not sure? Start your application and we will confirm the best state for your situation before anything is filed.