Key Takeaways

  • Kentucky requires all business entities (LLCs, corporations, and partnerships) to file an annual report between January 1 and June 30 each year.
  • The $15 filing fee applies to most business types except charitable organizations.
  • You can file annual reports in Kentucky online or by mail through the Kentucky Secretary of State.
  • Failing to file by June 30 may result in administrative dissolution or revocation of business authority.
  • Annual reports ensure your company’s registered agent, principal office, and management information are up to date for public and legal purposes.
  • Businesses that have been administratively dissolved may reinstate after filing missing reports and paying applicable fees.
  • Kentucky’s report requirements align with federal compliance updates under the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) for business transparency and accuracy.

A Kentucky annual report is a comprehensive report that provides details about a company's activities during the previous year. These reports give important information to shareholders and other invested parties. 

Overview of the Kentucky Annual Report

In section 14A.6-010 of the Kentucky Revised Statutes, it stipulates that all entities that do business in the state are required to file a business annual report. They must file every year. Filing this report keeps your business in compliance and in good standing. You can file the report online or by mail. Filing online is easier for you; the processing time is also faster.

The fee is $15, whether you file online or by mail. This fee applies to these entities, domestic and foreign: 

Charitable entities are exempt from paying this fee.

The processing time varies from one day to one week or longer if you file by mail. The time frame depends on how busy the Secretary of State office is. There's no official processing time for mailed-in annual reports. Processing time for online filing is immediate.

You must file your annual report between January 1 and June 30 every year. If you fail to file by June 30, the state can dissolve your LLC. You should file as early as possible to avoid any issues.

In January and February of each year, the Secretary of State mails a postcard as a reminder to businesses to file their annual reports. The state sends postcards to your business's principal address. Your registered agent will receive your annual report notices.

If you fail to file your annual report prior to the deadline, the state will send you a delinquent notice. This notifies you that you have 60 days to file. Otherwise the state will dissolve your LLC or revoke your authority to do business in the state.

Purpose of the Kentucky Annual Report

The Kentucky annual report serves as the state’s official record confirming that your business remains active and compliant. Its main purpose is to ensure that the Secretary of State maintains accurate and up-to-date contact and ownership information for all entities registered to operate in the state.

This report is not a financial statement but an administrative requirement for business transparency and public record maintenance. The Kentucky Secretary of State uses the data to help third parties, such as consumers, investors, and regulators, verify a business’s legitimacy and standing.

Entities required to file annual report Kentucky include:

  • Domestic and foreign LLCs and PLLCs
  • For-profit and nonprofit corporations
  • Limited partnerships (LPs) and limited liability partnerships (LLPs)
  • Professional entities and statutory trusts

Filing ensures compliance with KRS §14A.6-010, which governs business reporting requirements in the state.

How to File Your Annual Report by Mail

You have two options to file by mail.

  • Option one: Fill out the reminder postcard that the state sends you. Update the member or manager information if necessary, and then send it back.
  • Option two: Visit the Kentucky Secretary of State website and print out the annual report form. Fill it out, and then mail your completed form to the state.

Make out a money order or check in the amount of $15, and make it payable to “Kentucky State Treasurer.” Be sure to mail your report and fees well in advance of the June 30 deadline.

When you file by mail, you will not receive a receipt or other confirmation that the state received your report and fees. It's recommended that you go online and save a copy of your filed report. If any issues come up in the future regarding your filing, you can use that as proof of your filing.

Late Filings, Penalties, and Reinstatement Procedures

If you fail to file annual report Kentucky by the June 30 deadline, your entity becomes delinquent. The Secretary of State will issue a 60-day warning notice. Failure to respond results in administrative dissolution for domestic entities or revocation of authority for foreign entities.

To reinstate your business after dissolution, you must:

  1. File all past-due annual reports.
  2. Pay the reinstatement fee plus any outstanding annual report fees.
  3. Submit a Reinstatement Application to the Secretary of State’s office.

Reinstatement must generally occur within five years of dissolution. If the business is not reinstated within that timeframe, it will be permanently inactive and must re-register to operate in Kentucky.

Online Instructions on How to File Your Annual Report

  1. Visit the online filing page.
  2. In the search box, enter your business's ID number or full company name. Leave off  “LLC” or “L.L.C.” 
  3. When your business name shows in the results, click on it. A page will show your business's principal office address as well as the name and address of your Registered Agent.
  4. Review the information to make sure it's all correct.
  5. Click “Continue To File Annual Report.” 

If you need to make changes to your business's principal address or the Registered Agent, you can't do this on your annual report. You'll have to complete a Statement of Change to update this information.

Information that can be updated about your LLC members or managers includes: 

  • Names
  • Addresses
  • Titles

Click “Continue To Signatures.” Enter your name, your title, and email address. Click “Confirm This Filing.” Review all information in your annual report, make any necessary edits, and then click “Pay For and Complete Filing.”

To keep your business in good standing with the state, make sure you file your annual report and pay the necessary fees every year before the deadline. Choose the option you prefer, although it's recommended to file online, which is easy and convenient. This ensures you're allowed to continue doing business in the state of Kentucky.

How the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) Affects Kentucky Businesses

The Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), effective January 2024, adds a new layer of compliance for Kentucky business owners. While the annual report is a state requirement, the CTA is a federal law requiring certain companies to report their beneficial ownership information to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN).

Kentucky businesses formed through the Secretary of State—such as LLCs and corporations—are considered reporting companies under the CTA. Filing both your Kentucky annual report and your beneficial ownership report helps ensure your business stays compliant at both the state and federal levels.

Failing to maintain these filings could lead to penalties or loss of good standing, affecting your ability to open bank accounts, enter contracts, or obtain financing.

Common Filing Issues and How to Avoid Them

While the online process is designed to be straightforward, business owners often encounter a few common issues:

  • Incorrect or outdated registered agent information: Updates must be made using a separate Statement of Change form before submitting your annual report.
  • Unpaid or declined filing fees: Ensure your payment method is valid and your browser is compatible with the Secretary of State’s payment portal.
  • Name or address inconsistencies: Cross-check all business details with your original Articles of Organization or Incorporation to prevent rejection.

To prevent delays:

  • File early in the year rather than waiting until June.
  • Keep digital copies of your submitted report and confirmation email.
  • Verify that your business’s principal office and registered agent address are current before filing.

Timely filing helps maintain your company’s good standing, which is essential for renewing business licenses, entering into contracts, and securing financing.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. When is the Kentucky annual report due?
    All business entities must file between January 1 and June 30 each year.
  2. What is the filing fee for a Kentucky annual report?
    The fee is $15 for most entities. Charitable organizations are exempt.
  3. What happens if I don’t file by June 30?
    Your entity becomes delinquent and may be administratively dissolved or have its authority revoked after 60 days.
  4. Can I change my registered agent on the annual report?
    No. You must file a Statement of Change of Registered Agent separately with the Secretary of State.
  5. How do I reinstate my business after dissolution?
    Submit a reinstatement form, pay all outstanding fees, and file missing reports within five years of dissolution.

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