Registering a New Business in Kentucky
Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN)
All businesses are encouraged to obtain a
Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN) even if not required federally. While
Sole Proprietorships and
Disregarded Entities without employees may not need a FEIN for federal purposes, it helps differentiate businesses with similar names and can serve as an alternative to using a personal Social Security Number.
Kentucky Tax Registration Application
The Kentucky Tax Registration Application allows new businesses or those starting new taxable activities to register for the following tax accounts:
- Employer's Withholding Tax
- Sales and Use Tax
- Transient Room Tax
- Motor Vehicle Tire Fee
- Commercial Mobile Radio Service (CMRS) Prepaid Service Charge
- Consumer's Use Tax
- Corporation Income Tax
- Limited Liability Entity Tax
- Utility Gross Receipts License Tax
- Telecommunications Tax
- Coal Severance and Processing Tax
- Coal Seller/Purchaser Certificate ID Number
- Kentucky Nonresident Income Tax Withholding on Distributive Share Income Tax
You can apply online through
MyTaxes.ky.gov or download the
paper application.
Note: This application does
not register your business with the
Kentucky Secretary of State or the
Unemployment Insurance Office. Contact those offices directly for separate registration.
Additional State Tax Requirements
Depending on the product or service your business offers, other state taxes may apply. These require separate applications which can be:
- Downloaded from
this page.
- Requested from the Department of Revenue, Registration Branch at
(502) 564-3306.
Notice to Out-of-State Companies
Out-of-state entities (e.g., corporations, LLCs, trusts, cooperatives, etc.) needing to determine
nexus for
Corporation Income and/or
Limited Liability Entity Taxes can submit the
Corporation & Pass-Through Entity Nexus Questionnaire.
Existing Businesses: Register for Additional Accounts
If your business already has tax accounts and needs to add more:
Processing time: 5–10 business days (may take longer if information is missing or during peak periods).
Update or Cancel an Existing Tax Account
Use the
MyTaxes.ky.gov portal or the
Update or Cancellation of Kentucky Tax Account(s) form to:
- Change business or DBA name
- Update or add sales/use tax locations
- Update accounting period, ownership type, or responsible parties
- Update mailing address or phone number
- Cancel a tax account
Download the form
here or contact the
Data Quality Branch at
(502) 564-2694.
Note: Name changes must be filed first with the
Kentucky Secretary of State. Afterward, submit the update via MyTaxes or form
10A104.
Changes Requiring New Registration
You
must reapply using the Kentucky Tax Registration Application if your business undergoes changes to:
- Business structure
- FEIN
- Secretary of State Organization Number
- Commonwealth Business Identifier (CBI)
Examples of conversions that require new registration:
- Sole Proprietorship ↔ General Partnership
- LLC ↔ Statutory Trust
- Any ownership type ↔ LLC