Annual Report Filing

What is an Annual Report?

Most state-registered businesses—including domestic, foreign and nonprofit LLCs and corporations—are required to file regular reports with the state, commonly called annual reports. On these reports, your company confirms or updates the basic business information on file with the state (such as contact information).

As the name suggests, these reports are usually due yearly. However, a few states, like Alaska and New York, require reports every two years. Some states call the reports by different names as well, such as annual renewals, annual registrations, biennial reports, business entity reports and periodic reports.

What Information Does an Annual Report Require?

Each state has their own requirements, but some of the most common annual report requirements include the following:

• Business name
• Business purpose
• Principal address
• Mailing address
• Registered agent and office
• Names and addresses of governors (those who run your business, such as directors, officers, managers or members)
• Stock issued
• Authorized signature

Generally, the information requested is similar to what you submit when you start an LLC or start a corporation. In a few states (like Arkansas), annual reports are paired together with other filings, like franchise taxes.

How Do I File an Annual Report?

Steps to filing annual reports vary state to state, but generally, you'll need to determine your due date and submit the form and filing fee.

• Due date: Some states have a set date for annual report submissions while others base your due date on when you registered your business in that state. You can see a state-by-state list of due dates in the chart at the bottom of this page. To help you remember to file, some states send a postcard or email notification reminder to your registered agent.
• Filing method: In most states, you can file online (in a few states, like Colorado and Idaho, you're actually required to file online). Otherwise, you can file with a paper form. The form may be mailed to you, but more commonly, you can download the form from your state's business website (typically the Secretary of State website).
• Filing fee: All states (except Idaho) require a filing fee for for-profit LLCs and corporations. Annual report fees in different states can be radically different. For instance, LLCs in Kentucky pay $15 each year while LLCs in Massachusetts pay $500.

Not keen on remembering due dates or filling out paperwork? Let us do it for you. Registered Agent Center's Renewal Service keeps your business compliant. We'll file your annual report for just $100 plus state filing fees.

What Happens If I Don't File?

Failing to file your report can have a wide range of consequences, from losing your good standing to losing your business. In most states, a single missing report initially results in a late fee and a loss of good standing in the state.

A few states are a bit less forgiving. In Minnesota, for instance, if your domestic LLC or corporation doesn't file the state's annual renewal by December 31, it will be dissolved. This means you'll need to reinstate your corporation or LLC, as well as file your missing renewal.

More commonly, however, states don't administratively dissolve a business until the annual report remains unfiled for several months or even years—and some will simply let your company accumulate dust (and fees) as an inactive business.

When is My Annual Report Due?

The table below includes the due dates for regular for-profit corporations and LLCs. Have a nonprofit, foreign business or professional corporation? Click the state name in the table for due dates.

By clicking the state name, you can also see filing fees, submission methods and contact information for the state agency.