By Stu Johnson
Richmond, KY – Most Kentucky businesses can now file their government paperwork with the secretary of state's office via the internet. The office's new Fast Track Business Filings System' allows new businesses to register on-line. Existing business can also use the system to file their annual reports. Secretary of State Elaine Walker believes the online process can save time and create jobs.
"If we can make it much more user friendly, than I believe that we are going to not only make it easier for businesses to get about the work of creating jobs as opposed to creating paperwork, but I believe we can also entice more businesses to Kentucky," said Walker.
The online process is expected to create certain efficiencies for businesses. Previously, Walker says such paperwork was time consuming. "The problem that we've had in the past is you would get the forms. You would have to fill them out. You would mail them in. If there was an error, they would be mailed back to you. You would then resubmit them with a fee, and it could be a very long process," added Walker.
Elaine Walker says legislation approved by the general assembly creates such a system for all reports mandated by Frankfort.
"And that would enable you to do all your filing online. That would involve departments such as finance as well as workforce development. So, right now you can do all your secretary of state filing, but then you have to go to the other departments and divisions to complete the process. We are going to make one stop a reality in the next few years," said Walker.
Walker admits her predecessors paved the way for the fast track system. Almost 29 thousand new businesses file each year with the Secretary of State's office.