What is an annual report for a business?

An annual report is a document that businesses must file with the Secretary of State (or similar agency) to update or confirm key information about the company, such as its address, registered agent, and management. This filing is required to keep the business in good standing and is not the same as a financial statement or tax return.

What information must be included in an annual report?

Typical information required includes the business’s legal name; principal address; registered agent details; names and addresses of officers, directors, members, or managers; and sometimes the nature of the business.

Is filing an annual report the same as filing business taxes?

No. Annual reports are filed with the Secretary of State to update company information, while business tax returns are filed with the state’s Department of Revenue or tax authority.

What happens if I don’t file my annual report on time?

Failure to file on time can result in late fees, administrative dissolution of the business, or loss of good standing, which can impact the company’s ability to operate legally and enter into contracts.

How do I file an annual report?

Most states offer online filing through the Secretary of State’s website. Some also allow or require mail-in forms. You will typically need your business’s document or registration number to access the filing system.

Do I have to file an annual report even if there are no changes to my business information?

Yes. Annual reports must be filed every year (or within different terms, such as biennially in some states) regardless of whether any information has changed. The report serves to confirm the accuracy of the state’s records.

Do I need to file an annual report as a foreign entity?

Typically, yes. If your business is registered as a foreign entity within a state, you are still required to comply with any annual reporting requirements to ensure that your company remains in good standing and may continue to legally transact business within that state. This means that you will need to file your annual report within your business's home state and any other state within which it is registered.

Are there fees associated with filing an annual report?

Yes. Most states charge a filing fee, which can range from $0 to several hundred dollars depending on the state and entity type. Some states have different fees for online versus paper filings.

Annual Report

Q: Who is required to file an annual report?

Most corporations, LLCs, and other statutory business entities—both domestic and foreign—are often required to file annual reports in the states where they are registered or qualified to do business. Requirements and frequencies can vary by state and entity type.

Most states require businesses to file a report each year in order to remain in good legal standing to conduct business within that state.

Starting at $125 + state filing fees, choose LegalNature to efficiently file your annual report hassle-free.

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Filing your annual report through LegalNature is quick and easy:

Our experienced team has helped thousands of businesses stay up to date and compliant across all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Step 1

Provide us with your business's information

Our intuitive online form will ask you for the business information relevant for annual reporting specific to your state.

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Step 2

We create and file the annual report for you

Using the information collected from you, our team processes the annual report paperwork with your Secretary of State.

Step 3

Receive your filed report

Once we have received confirmation and a copy of your report from the state, we provide the filing to you and store it digitally for you in our secure online portal.

The benefits of choosing LegalNature for your annual reports and compliance needs

We are committed to quality and accuracy of the highest level. You can trust that your business needs are in the best hands, dedicated to fast, efficient, and easy filings.

Save time

With experience across all 50 states, we can save you time and effort researching the unique filing deadlines and requirements for your state.

Avoid penalties

You could face fines, penalties, and the loss of your personal liability protection if you fail to file a report. Let us handle your annual filing and know that your business is in the best hands.

Get peace of mind

Avoid tedious paperwork and the risk of filing incorrectly. We file the report for you and help ensure it is done accurately and on time.

What is an annual report?

An annual report is a document required by most states to be filed each year with the Secretary of State by business entities, including corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), and nonprofits. Annual reports are not financial statements, but rather an informational update ensuring that the state has up-to-date and accurate details about the company. In lieu of annual reporting, some states opt for biennial reporting, or mandatory reporting every two years.

Who is required to file an annual report?

Most states require all business entities to file some sort of annual report, with the specific requirements varying state by state. There are several states that have different reporting requirements depending on the type of business entity. If you are curious about the requirements in your specific state, please reference the chart provided below.

Why do I need to file an annual report?

Filing a report helps ensure that your business is complying with state regulations and remains in good standing with the legal authority to conduct and transact business. Failure to comply with these state-by-state requirements can lead to incurring fines, the loss of your personal liability protections or legal authority to act as a business entity, or even the administrative dissolution of your business.

What is required in an annual report?

While some states may require an extra piece of information, nearly all annual or biennial reports require the company's basic information, such as company name; office/mailing address; the names of its officers, owners, or members; and the registered agent's contact information.

What is my state's annual reporting requirement?

State
Requirement
Alabama
None
Alaska
Biennial
Arkansas
Annual
Arizona
Annual (Corporations); None (LLCs)
California
Annual (Corporations); Biennial (LLCs)
Colorado
Annual
Connecticut
Annual
Delaware
Annual

View all

Filing your annual report

1. Gather the required information and know your state's specific due dates
Each state has its own specific standards and due dates for annual reporting. Although a report may be required each year, states have different dates for when the filings are due. For example, annual reporting in Florida is due each year on or before May 1, while reporting in California must be submitted prior to the anniversary date of registering your company. If you choose to use LegalNature's Compliance Guard service, we will monitor these requirements for your business within your state and will notify you when a due date is upcoming. Our intuitive online forms will collect the information required from you by your specific state so we may prepare your report with zero hassle on your end.
2. Complete annual report forms
All states allow you to file your annual report online and few offer the option to mail in the required paperwork. Regardless of how you wish to submit, the necessary forms must be obtained from your Secretary of State. LegalNature's Compliance Guard service, if utilized, simplifies the process for you by collecting your information and corresponding with the Secretary of State on your behalf, ensuring that the correct paperwork is submitted on time and accurately.
3. Submit your report to the state
Once your forms have been completed, they must be submitted to the Secretary of State along with the required filing fee. Each state sets its own fee. Fees may differ depending on whether you are filing your report online or mailing it in, and mail-in submissions are typically more expensive to account for the extra processing. LegalNature will choose the best method of submission for you. Once we have filed your annual report, we provide you with a copy and any confirmation documentation for your records.