Kentucky Business License

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General Business License Requirements for Kentucky.

Business licenses are often required of business entities, regardless of their products and services. This page provides an overview of business license requirements in Kentucky.

Kentucky General Business Licenses

Kentucky Business License

Not required



General Business License licensure is not required on the State level in Kentucky.

Kentucky does not have a general business license at the state level, but local licenses are often required.

Local General Business Licenses

Ashland Business Privilege License

Agency:City of Ashland Department of Finance (KY)
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:No
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No

Initial Registration

Form:

Business Privilege License Application

Agency Fee:

$100 if applying in January, February, or March; $75 if applying in April, May, or June; $50 if applying in July, August, or September; and $25 if applying in October, November, or December.

Notes:

The license fee can be paid online.

Registration Renewal

Agency Fee:

$100

Due:

Annually by January 31.

Notes:

The renewal fee can be paid online.

Boone County Occupational License

Agency:Boone County Occupational Licensing Department (KY)

Initial Registration

Form:

Occupational License/Payroll Tax Application

Agency Fee:

$25 application fee + license fee

Registration Renewal

Due:

Annually by December 31.

City of Bowling Green Business Registration

Agency:City of Bowling Green Office of Occupational License (KY)

Initial Registration

Form:

Business Registration Form

Agency Fee:

$50

Registration Renewal

Form:

No renewal application - file for a business certificate with the Worchester City Clerk.

Agency Fee:

Fees depend on gross annual receipts

Due:

Annually by April 15.

Danville Occupational License

Agency:Danville Codes Enforcement Department - Business Licensing Section (KY)
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:No
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No

Initial Registration

Form:

Business Registration Application

Agency Fee:

$25

Registration Renewal

Form:

Annual License Fee Return

Agency Fee:

1.75% of annual net profits.

Due:

Annually by April 15 or within 105 days of the end of your fiscal year.

Franklin County Business License

Agency:Franklin County Occupational Tax Office (KY)
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:No
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No

Initial Registration

Form:

Business Application

Filing Method:

Mail or online.

Agency Fee:

$40

Registration Renewal

Form:

Net Profits License Fee Return

Instructions:

License Fee Instructions

Agency Fee:

1% of annual net profit

Due:

Annually by April 15 if the licensee has a December 31 fiscal year end. Otherwise renewal is due 105 days following the end of the fiscal year, sale, liquidation or transfer.

Supplemental Reporting

Form:

Net Profits License Fee Quarterly Return

Due:

By the last day of the month following the close of the calendar quarter.

Hancock County Business License

Agency:Hancock County Occupational Tax Office (KY)
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:No
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No

Initial Registration

Form:

Business License Application

Agency Fee:

$10

Registration Renewal

Form:

Net Profit License Fee Return

Agency Fee:

1.6% of annual net profits

Due:

Annually by April 15, or within 105 days of fiscal year end if not using calendar year.

Supplemental Reporting

Form:

Employer's Quarterly Return

Due:

By the last day of month following the quarterly period for which the withholding is made.

Henderson Occupational License Tax

Agency:City of Henderson Occupational License Tax Division (KY)
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:No
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No

Initial Registration

Form:

OLA Occupational License Application

Agency Fee:

$25

Registration Renewal

Form:

Form NP: Net Profit License Tax Return

Instructions:

Form NP Instructions

Agency Fee:

Varies by net profit. Minimum fee are as follows:

  • $50 for individuals
  • $150 for partnerships
  • $200 for corporations and LLCs
Due:

Annually by April 15.

Kenton County Occupational License

Agency:Kenton County County Treasury's Office (KY)

Initial Registration

Form:

Kenton County and Cities Occupational License Application

Agency Fee:

$225 for county wide or $25 per city

Registration Renewal

Agency Fee:

$225 for county wide or $25 per city

Due:

Annually by April 15.

Laurel County General Business License

Agency:Laurel County Occupational Tax Office (KY)
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:No
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No

Initial Registration

Form:

Application for Business License

Filing Method:

Mail

Agency Fee:

$0

Renewal Not Required

Not required



The business license is renewed automatically with the filing of the annual net profits license fee return.

Lexington Occupational License

Agency:City of Lexington Revenue (KY)

Initial Registration

Form:

Business Permit (Occupational License) Application

Agency Fee:

$25 occupancy fee + $100 license fee

Registration Renewal

Agency Fee:

$100

Due:

Annually by April 15.

Louisville Occupational License

Agency:Louisville Revenue Commission (KY)
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:No
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No

Initial Registration

Form:

Registration Application

Agency Fee:

$0

Registration Renewal

Form:

Form OL-3: Occupational License Return

Instructions:

Form OL-3 Instructions

Agency Fee:

Varies by annual gross receipts.

Due:

Annually by the 15th day of the 4th month following the entity's fiscal year-end.

Learn about general business licensing requirements in other states:



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