Compare Business Types in Ohio
LLC, corporation, S-Corp, nonprofit or partnership: what each costs to form and keep in Ohio, side by side. An LLC is $99 to file.
Last verified September 2026 against official Ohio sources.
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Ohio Business Structures at a Glance
| Feature | Corporation | LLC | Nonprofit | Partnership | S-Corp |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| State filing fee | $99 | $99 | $99 | $99 | $99 |
| Expedite fee | $100 | $200 | $200 | $199 | $100 |
| Processing time | 3-5 business days | 3-5 business days | 3-7 business days | 3-7 business days | 3-5 business days |
| Annual/biennial report fee | None | None | $0 | $99 | None |
| Franchise / minimum tax | — | — | — | — | — |
| Recurring state fees / yr (est.) | $0 | $0 | $0 | $99 | $0 |
| Publication required | No | No | No | No | No |
| Registered agent | Required | Required | Required | Required | Required |
| Minimum owners | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
Recurring estimate = report fee (halved for biennial reports) + franchise/minimum tax. Excludes publication, registered-agent and income taxes. S-Corp is a federal tax election (IRS Form 2553) made by an LLC or corporation.
LLC vs. Other Structures in Ohio
LLC vs. Corporation
Unlike an Ohio Corporation, an Ohio LLC avoids double taxation since profits pass through directly to members rather than being taxed at both the corporate and personal levels. LLCs also have fewer formality requirements, with no mandatory board of directors, annual shareholder meetings, or corporate resolutions required.
LLC vs. S-Corp
An S-Corp election (available to both LLCs and corporations) provides pass-through taxation similar to an LLC by default, but S-Corps have strict eligibility limits including a maximum of 100 shareholders and restrictions on ownership by non-U.S. citizens. Ohio LLCs have no such ownership restrictions and offer more flexible profit distribution.
LLC vs. Partnership
Unlike a general partnership, an Ohio LLC provides personal liability protection for all members, shielding their personal assets from business debts and lawsuits. A general partnership requires no state filing but exposes all partners to unlimited personal liability for the business's obligations.
LLC vs. Nonprofit
An Ohio LLC is a for-profit entity focused on generating returns for its members, while an Ohio Nonprofit is organized for charitable, educational, or other public purposes and may qualify for tax-exempt status. Nonprofits cannot distribute profits to members or directors, whereas LLC members freely share in profits.
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