Once you have decided to form a business in the Bluegrass State, you need to ask yourself: what else do I need to make my business operational? Apart from the registration of your business, you will require a business license to operate in the state. The licenses, their fee, and issuing authority vary according to the type of business or industry and the physical location of your business.

It is important to know that the state of Kentucky does not have a statewide business license or one license that applies to all types of businesses. There are specific business types that would require a special permit or license to legally operate in the state. Depending on the type of business, you may even require more than one license.

Kentucky Business License Requirements

What are the requirements for obtaining a business license in Kentucky? Which business entities require a license and which requires permits? Who is the issuing authority for these licenses? These are some of the important questions that you might be confronted with and hence, we have created a guide that will help answer some of these questions.

The most important step towards acquiring a Kentucky company license is identifying the type of business.

The Industry or Business Type

Which industry is your business entity a part of? In the state of Kentucky, the requirement for a permit or business license is dependent on the type of industry.

Let’s look at an example to understand this well.

Type of Business or Industry – Automobile

• Issuing Authority – Kentucky Motor Vehicle Commission
• License or Permit – If you are planning to start an automobile business then you require a business license in Kentucky. Some of the common license types issued by the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control include:
  – Motor Vehicle Dealer/Dealership
  – Automobile Manufacturer
  – Motor Vehicle Distributors
• Application for License – You can download Kentucky company license application and submit at the office of the Motor Vehicle Commission along with the fee. You can also submit or renew your license online.
• Fee – This type of business license fee will depend on the type of dealer like the fee for “New Motor Vehicle Dealer” is $100.

Type of Business or Industry – Alcohol Sales

• Issuing Authority – Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control
• License or Permit – If you are planning to set up a pub, bar, manufacturing facility, alcohol distribution hub etc., then you will require a business license in Kentucky. Some of the common license types issued by the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control include:
  – Restaurant Drink Liquor License
  – Temporary Retail Beer License
  – Wholesale Liquor and Wine License
  – Brew on Premises License
  – Caterer’s License
• Application for License – You can download a Kentucky company license application and submit at the office of the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control along with the fee. You can also submit or renew online.
• Fee – There are different types of business licenses issued and the fee will depend on the type of license you require. For instance the fee “Brewer’s License” is $2,580 for one year while that of a “Distributor’s License” is $520 for one year.
  Note: You can even apply for a half yearly license or even pay for two years.

Apart from this, there is another aspect that you need to consider – location of your business! There are some businesses for which a license or permit will not be issued by the state. Instead the issuing authority will be the city or county your business is situated in.

There are certain businesses where you will be required to get an approval from the county licensing authorities or board prior to applying for a state business license. In the City of Winchester, if you are planning to start a business that requires a “liquor by the drink license” then you will need the approval of the local licensing board governed by Ord. No. 864, § 3, 11-17-90, prior to applying for a license with the State Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control.

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Ever wondered where the best selling truck in the U.S – the Ford F-Series is being manufactured? Louisville, Kentucky! A major coal producer, the bluegrass state has been ranked as one of the top states 4 years in a row for new and expanded industry activity per capita. This is the state that is considered as the headquarters for some really major league players including General Motors, Ford, Toyota, Humana, Papa John’s, and YUM! Brand.

Still wondering why you should register a new company in Kentucky?

Advantages of setting up an LLC or Corporation

There is a lot more to Kentucky than meets the eye! Over the years, the state has offered a variety of incentives, tax credits, and grants to small businesses as well as large corporations. Let’s take a look at what advantages are there for your business, if you register in this state.

Advantage#1: Salient benefits of Corporation or LLC

Corporation

• Independent Life: One of the salient advantages of an S Corporation in Kentucky is that it enjoys an independent life. The death or incapacitation of a stockholder will not disturb operations of the business.
• Tax Credit: One of the advantages of a startup company in Kentucky is the Kentucky Small Business Tax Credit (KSBTC) program. Eligible businesses paying taxes imposed by program KRS 141.040 (corporation income tax) can apply for a non-refundable state income tax credit that can vary from $3,500 – $25,000.
• Pass through taxation: If you register a new company in Kentucky as an S corporation then the corporation or firm will not pay any income tax. Instead, the income or loss of the corporation will be passed on to the stockholders.

LLC

• Limited Liability: If you register a new business in Kentucky as an LLC then you will be able to enjoy limited liability protection. This means claimants can sue the LLC and not the owner or investors.
• Flexible Profit Distribution: An LLC has the benefit of being able to select different ways of distribution of profits.
• State Tax Credit: One of the advantages of a startup company in Kentucky is the Kentucky Small Business Tax Credit (KSBTC) program. Eligible businesses paying taxes imposed by program KRS 141.0401 (limited liability entity tax) can apply for a non-refundable state income tax credit that can vary from $3,500 – $25,000.

Advantage#2: Business Incentives

The number of small businesses in Kentucky grew from 341,147 in 2015 to 347,159 in 2017 and this trend is mostly due to the variety of business incentives provided through state based programs. Once you register a new business in Kentucky, you will be able to qualify for most of the programs and this can help promote financial growth and expansion for businesses in a large number of industries. Let’s look at some of the top programs in the Bluegrass State.

• Kentucky Tourism Development Act (KTDA): The KTDA targets a startup company in Kentucky that helps in promoting or supporting new or existing tourism projects. As a part of the program, businesses can benefit from sales tax credit incentives.
• Kentucky Business Investment (KBI) Program: The primary objective of the KBI program is to provide income tax credits to new as well as existing businesses in the state. The tax credits can be earned in several areas including non-retail technology or service, energy-efficient alternative fuels, manufacturing and alternative fuel among others.
• Direct Loan Program: This a pro-business program initiated by Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority (KEDFA). The objective of this program is to provide long term financing in industries like tourism, agribusiness, service industry, and industrial ventures. If you register a new company in Kentucky, you can benefit from this loan at below-market interest rates.
• Kentucky Small Business Loan Program: The objective of this Kentucky loan program is to help a small business to acquire funding that is required for starting or growing their business. This program has been initiated by Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority (KEDFA) and can finance up to 100% of the project cost.

Are there any Disadvantages of Incorporating in Kentucky?

When you register a new business in Kentucky, you can be rest assured that there is a wide variety of business incentives to leverage on but are there any disadvantages? There are limited numbers of disadvantages that are dependent on the type of business you register. For example, the disadvantage of an LLC is that it will get dissolved when a member dies or if it goes bankrupt. Similarly, incorporation may lead to higher overall taxes. These disadvantages far outweigh the benefits and advantages of forming a business in Kentucky.

Click here to REGISTER today!

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Once your company is set up, you will need:

1. Tax ID (EIN) – free over the Internet or phone.
2. Yearly Requirements and Fees for Colorado companies – You are required to file an annual report with the Secretary of State. An annual report can be filed online starting at the beginning of the second month prior to the month of organization of the entity. The cost is $20.00 and can be filed by a clerk or a secretary.
3. Company Minutes & Stock Certificates – are included in incorporation. You will have access to documents generated on your client account.

Colorado additional services

• Registered Agent
• Annual Report
• EIN (Tax ID)
• More Additional Services

• Why Colorado?
• Colorado Registered Agent
• Colorado Annual Requirements
• Colorado Corporation Statutes: The Colorado Statutes; Title 7: Corporations & Associations

• Why Colorado?
• Colorado Registered Agent
• Colorado Annual Requirements
• Colorado LLC Statutes: The Colorado Statutes; Title 7, Article 80: Corporations & Associations

Pricing $89.00 per year, special for pre-pay $40 per year

Don’t get fooled by companies claiming the lowest price and increasing it later. Our pricing is very simple. We charge $89 per year. We also have few specials. Whenever you decide to pre-pay additional years you get them for $40/year.

Why you need a Registered Agent?

Colorado State laws require business entities to maintain a Resident Agent in the state that you form your business. The agent’s name and office address are included in the Articles of Incorporation or Articles of Organization to give public notice of where to send important documents to your business entity.

If you need Registered agent in other State than Colorado click here.
We offer Registered Agent service in all 50 States.

State Fee for changing Colorado Registered Agent

If the annual report has not been filed, can submit change of registered agent information at that time. If report has been filed, need to submit the Statement of Change form along with fee of $125.

Registered Agent Requirements

Any individual at least 18 years of age with a physical address in Colorado may act as a registered agent. Also, any business entity registered with the Colorado Secretary of State may act as agent. As of July 1, 2004, an entity can serve as its own agent. You may NOT appoint the Secretary of State as a registered agent for service of process. You may appoint only one individual or business entity as agent.