Ohio Business Filing Tips

At Ohio Registered Agent, we know the in’s and out’s of state business filings. In Ohio, the following four general business structures are formed at the state level: LLCs, corporations, LLPs, and LPs.

Below, we offer some general filing tips for each entity type.

Filing LLCs in Ohio

An LLC or limited liability company in Ohio is a business structure that protects owners of the business from personal responsibility for debts or other liabilities made by the business.

The Ohio Revised Code Section 1706.16 requires all Ohio LLCs to file Articles of Organization to form. The state also requires additional forms for various changes to the business:

Name	Form	State Fee
Articles of Organization	610	$99
Amendments	611	$50
Dissolution	616	$50

Here at Ohio Registered Agent, you can find many of these state forms in your online account, pre-filled with your information!

Tips for Ohio LLCs

Ohio now accepts online and fax filings with expedited service. You can, however, send all your forms by mail or make an in-person appointment at the Ohio Secretary of State website.

Additionally, Ohio offers the option to form a series LLC, a single LLC with divisions (series) that can operate much like independent LLCs. The articles must state that the LLC may have one or more series, and each series must have its own operating agreement.

Ohio Registered Agent has loads of these forms ready and available for you in our client portal. We also offer help forming your Ohio LLC with the Secretary of State.

Filing Corporations in Ohio

Corporations in Ohio are businesses made of a group of people or companies authorized to act as a single entity. It is separate and distinct from its owners but is treated as an individual entity.

The Ohio Revised Code Section 1701.04 requires all Ohio corporations (for-profit, nonprofit, and professional) to file articles. Additional common filings are also listed below:

Name	Form	State Fee
Articles of Incorporation	532A (532B nonprofits, 532C professional)	$99 minimum
Amendments	540	$50
Reinstatement and Appointment of Statutory Agent	525A	$25
Dissolution	561	$50

Tips for Ohio Corporations

If you’re looking to start a for-profit corporation in Ohio, the most important filing information you need to know is that the Articles of Incorporation’s fee only authorizes up to 990 shares of your company’s stock. When you want to authorize more than 990 shares, you’ll need to pay an additional fee (up to $0.25 a share) at the time of filing. Ohio has a maximum filing fee of $100,000.

Nonprofits must submit a state report every 5 years ($25) and professional associations file biennial reports ($25). For-profit corporations don’t need to submit annual or biennial filings. Ohio Registered Agent has these types of forms ready and available for you in our client portal. We also offer help incorporating in Ohio with the Secretary of State.

Filing LLPs in Ohio

An LLP or limited liability partnership is a business entity made of two or more partners, typically providers of professional services like dentists or attorneys. Each partner is only liable up to the amount they invested and typically not liable for other partners’ negligent actions.

The Ohio Revised Code Section 1776.81(C) states Ohio partnerships must file a Statement of Domestic Qualification to become an LLP. LLPs must file biennial reports and may need additional forms, depending on their activities:

Name	Form	State Fee
Statement of Domestic Qualification	536	$99
Amendment or Cancellation	545	$25
Corrections	566	$50
Biennial Report	520	$25
Dissolution	567	$50
Reinstatement	525B	$25

Tips for Ohio LLPs

In Ohio, limited liability partnerships must file biennial reports. Limited liability partnerships in Ohio must file their biennial reports between the first day of April and the first day of July of each odd-numbered year starting the following calendar year the limited liability partnership was formed.

Filing Limited Partnerships in Ohio

A limited partnership in Ohio is a business entity made of two or more partners. LPs have one or more general partners (who run the business and have liability) and one or more limited partners (who function like passive investors).

The Ohio Revised Code Section 1782.13 states limited partnerships file key forms with the Secretary of State. Common forms include:

Name	Forms	State Fee
Certificate of Limited Partnership	531A	$99
Amendments	542	$50
Cancellation of Partnership	563	$50
Certificate of Disclaimer of General Partner Status	570	$50

Tips for Ohio LPs

Ohio limited partnerships are not required to submit annual or biennial filings. Certain actions made by the business could require you to file with the Ohio Secretary of State.

General Ohio Business Filings

LLCs, corporations, LLPs and LPs also share some common forms, including these:

Name	Forms	State Fee
Statutory Agent Updates	521	$25
Conversions	700 or 800	$99
Mergers	551	$99
Consolidation	550	$99

General Tips for Ohio Businesses

From registered agent requirements to unique entity options, here are a few useful tips for Ohio business filings.

Registered Agents

Did you know in Ohio, not every business type requires a registered agent? All of the following businesses do not require a registered agent:

• Banks
• Trust companies
• Insurance companies
• A business entity defined by Ohio law as a public utility business

These businesses have filing requirements with other state or federal regulatory agencies, however. For the business types that do require a registered agent, Ohio Registered Agent is here to assist you with all your registered agent and business formation needs!

Out-of-State Businesses

If you own a business registered outside of Ohio, you’ll need to pay a filing fee and submit paperwork before starting business in the state of Ohio. For example, an LLC formed in Pennsylvania that wants to do business in Ohio will need to pay a $99 filing fee and file a Registration of a Foreign Limited Liability Company (Form 617).

Licenses and Tax IDs

While filing forms with the Ohio Secretary of State office registers your business, the Secretary of State doesn’t issue vendor or business licenses. You’ll need to visit the Ohio Business Gateway licensing website to obtain any required licenses.

The Ohio Secretary of State also doesn’t give you a Tax ID for your business. You’ll need to register with the Ohio Department of Taxation for local taxes and submit an application to the IRS if you need a federal Tax ID.

Unique Ohio Entities

Ohio has three unique entity types:

• Community Improvement Corporation (Ohio Revised Code, Chap. 1724)
• Development Corporation (Ohio Revised Code, Chap. 1726)
• Community Redevelopment Corporation (Ohio Revised Code, Chap. 1728)

Each has its own filings and requirements to do business in good standing in Ohio.

Curious about business filings in Ohio? Reach out to us today, and we’ll help you get started doing business in Ohio right.