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Resources for Starting a Business in Ohio
Business Entity Formation
Business entities are formed by registration with the Ohio Secretary of State.
Limited Liability Company
Filing a Domestic LLC (for profit company, first registered in Ohio) is a $125 initial filing fee, $0 annual fee, and may not be submitted online. Expedited service is available for an additional fee. Mail-in expedited filings may be processed within 24-48 hours of receipt. The secretary of state offers Super Expedite filing for in-person clients. Once received by the Secretary of State, all expedited requests will be processed with priority. No annual fee is required, however Ohio does have an annual franchise tax.
Filing a Foreign LLC (for profit company, first registered elsewhere) is a $125 initial filing fee, $0 annual fee, and may not be submitted online. Expedited service is available for an additional fee. No annual fee is required, however Ohio does have an annual franchise tax.
Corporation
Filing a Domestic Corporation (for profit company, first registered in Ohio) is a $125 initial filing fee, $0 annual fee, and may not be submitted online. Expedited service is available for an additional fee. No annual fee is required, however Ohio does have an annual franchise tax.
Filing a Foreign Corporation (for profit company, first registered elsewhere) is a $125 initial filing fee, $0 annual fee, and may not be submitted online. Expedited service is available for an additional fee. No annual fee is required, however Ohio does have an annual franchise tax.
Sole Proprietor
A sole proprietor business does not require registration with the state.
DBA (Doing Business As) or Fictitious Business Name
Ohio allows individuals and businesses to register a fictitious business name. This process is administered at the State level. For more information on DBAs in Ohio visit this website.
Business Licenses
Business licenses in Ohio are issued through the State or County, depending on the type of business. For more information on business licenses in Ohio visit their website.
Professional Licenses
There are a number of professions that require a state license in Ohio. For more information on professional licenses, visit this website.
State Income Tax
Ohio does have a state income tax for individuals. Ohio does have a state income tax for corporations. Visit this website for more information on business income taxes in Ohio.
Ohio does have a franchise tax for corporations. For most taxpayers, Ohio is in the process of phasing out the corporation franchise tax in favor of the new commercial activity tax (CAT), however a minimum franchise tax will remain for most corporations.
State Sales Tax
Ohio does have a state sales tax. Visit this website for more information on sales taxes in Ohio. Apply for an Ohio sales tax permit here. This website provides access to online filing for a variety of Ohio agencies.
Employer Assistance
The state of Ohio administers labor and employment issues through the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.
Unemployment Insurance
Unemployment insurance information for employers in Ohio is available at this website.
Unemployment insurance information for workers in Ohio is available at this location.
Workers' Compensation
Information for employers in Ohio regarding Worker's Compensation is available from the Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation website. BWC provides insurance to about two-thirds of Ohio's workforce. The remaining workers receive coverage directly through their employers. These companies are part of a self-insurance program for large and financially stable employers who meet strict qualifications set by BWC.
Occupational Health & Safety
Ohio provides Occupational Health & Safety support through Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation, Division of Safety and Hygiene. Visit their website. If you are an employer participating in Ohio's exclusive workers' compensation system, BWC's Division of Safety & Hygiene (DSH) can meet all your needs and at no direct cost to you.