Ohio is one of the cheapest states to maintain an LLC: $99 to file, no annual report, no annual fee, no income tax on pass-through income. You can form here yourself — but if you need to bank and trade now, a ready-made Wyoming LLC that already has its EIN transfers into your name within 24 hours.
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Ohio is one of the most underrated states for LLCs. It costs $99 to file, charges $0 per year in annual fees, and applies no income tax on pass-through income. The Commercial Activity Tax (CAT) of 0.26% applies only on gross receipts over $1 million, so most small LLCs pay nothing.
Ohio has the seventh-largest economy in the US, with major industries in manufacturing, healthcare, finance and technology. For non-residents, Ohio is a compelling alternative to Wyoming: filing is comparable ($99 vs $100) and annual costs are lower ($0 vs $60/year).
That said — forming it yourself still means a queue. You file Articles of Organization, wait for state approval, then apply to the IRS for an EIN. Until the EIN lands, no bank or payment processor will fully onboard you. If speed matters more than the $99 saving, a ready-made Wyoming LLC that already has its EIN can have you banking the same day.
Both are legitimate. The difference is speed, privacy and how much paperwork lands on you.
| Form a new Ohio LLC yourself | Buy ready-made Wyoming (USLLCGlobal) | |
|---|---|---|
| Company exists | After state approval (3–5 business days) | Already registered |
| EIN issued | Apply after formation; 1 day–several weeks (4–6 weeks for non-residents) | Already issued |
| Ready to bank & take payments | Days to weeks | Within 24 hours |
| State filing fee | $99 (Ohio) | Included in price |
| Annual cost | $0 annual report (CAT over $1M) | Low Wyoming annual fee |
| Owner privacy | Ohio filings are public | Wyoming — no public owner list |
| Paperwork on you | Articles, EIN application, operating agreement | None — handed over signed |
| If something goes wrong | You chase the state & IRS | Money-back guarantee |
Why Wyoming for ready-made? Wyoming has no state income tax, no public member or manager registry, low annual fees and strong charging-order protection for single-member LLCs. If your business specifically needs Delaware — for outside investors or a future C-corp conversion — see our Delaware LLC page. If you genuinely need an Ohio entity, we'll register one for you on request.
Complete fee breakdown for Ohio LLCs. State fees sourced from the Ohio Secretary of State.
| Fee | Amount | When due |
|---|---|---|
| Articles of Organization | $99 | One-time |
| Annual report | $0 | Not required |
| Same-day (4-hour) | $300 additional | Optional |
| Registered agent | $100–150/year | Ongoing |
Your name must be distinguishable from existing entities and include "LLC" or "Limited Liability Company." Check availability on the Ohio business search. You can reserve a name for 180 days for $39.
Every Ohio LLC needs a registered agent with a physical Ohio address (not a PO Box). USLLCGlobal includes one year of registered agent service in all packages.
File with the Ohio Secretary of State through the Ohio filing portal or by mail. Required information:
Not legally required in Ohio but essential. It defines ownership, profit distribution, management and exit provisions. Banks and the IRS expect to see it.
Your federal tax ID from the IRS. Required for bank accounts, hiring and taxes. Non-residents can apply via Form SS-4 (4–6 weeks). USLLCGlobal handles EIN applications in every package — or skip the wait entirely with a ready-made company that already has its EIN.
With your Articles of Organization, EIN and Operating Agreement, open a US business account. Mercury, Relay and Wise Business allow remote opening for non-residents.
What you need each year to keep your Ohio LLC in good standing:
| Tax type | Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Personal income tax | $0 | No tax on pass-through income |
| Commercial Activity Tax | 0.26% | On gross receipts over $1M |
| Franchise tax | $0 | No franchise tax |
| State sales tax | 5.75% + local | If selling taxable goods |
| Option | Time | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | 3–5 business days | $0 (included) |
| Same-day (4-hour) | As described | $300 additional |
| Ready-made Wyoming | Within 24 hours | EIN already issued |
Every package includes:
No hidden fees. No upsells. The price listed is the price you pay. Prefer to skip the formation wait entirely? We can also register a brand-new LLC for you for $549, or transfer a ready-made Wyoming company with its EIN already issued within 24 hours.
Form in Ohio for $348, register a brand-new LLC for $549, or pick a ready-made Wyoming company that already has its EIN and own it within 24 hours.