Ohio Corporation cost
Forming a corporation in Ohio costs $99 in state fees in year one, then no recurring state fees for most small businesses.
Forming a Ohio Corporation
You file Articles of Incorporation, For-Profit (Form 532A) with the Ohio Secretary of State, Business Services Division. The state fee is $99. See the official fee.
File it yourself with the state →
Every year after
Ohio doesn't require a recurring report for a corporation — No annual or biennial report required.
State taxes that apply even to a small Corporation
- Commercial Activity Tax (CAT): $0 — No CAT due if Ohio taxable gross receipts are $6 million or less (2025 and later; $3M for 2024). The annual minimum tax was eliminated for tax periods beginning on or after January 1, 2024. source
Worth knowing
- Formation is $99 for LLCs, for-profit corporations (up to 990 authorized shares), and nonprofits.
- No annual or biennial report for LLCs or for-profit corporations.
- No Commercial Activity Tax for businesses with $6 million or less in Ohio gross receipts (2025 onward); the CAT minimum tax was eliminated starting 2024.
- Nonprofits file a $25 Statement of Continued Existence every 5 years.
Registered agent
Ohio requires a registered agent. Must appoint an Ohio statutory agent (Ohio resident or business authorized in Ohio with an Ohio address). You can serve as your own agent if you have a qualifying address; paid services usually charge a yearly fee.
| Other filings | State fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Name reservation | $39 | 180 days |
| DBA / assumed name (state) | $39 | Trade name or fictitious name registration (Form 534A) with the Secretary of State; renewal/update $25. |
| Expedited processing | $100 | $100 within 2 business days; $200 within 1 business day; $300 within 4 business hours (in addition to filing fee) |
| Foreign Corporation registration | $99 | Application for License, Foreign Corporation (Form 530A) |
Fees last checked 2026-10-20 against Ohio Secretary of State, Business Services Division and the state revenue department. States change fees — confirm on the linked page before you file.
Thinking about forming somewhere else?
If you operate in Ohio, an out-of-state Corporation also has to register here as a foreign entity. See both costs side by side: