New Year, New Annual Reports: Your Ultimate Guide to Staying Compliant in 2025

Image Source: Aris Leoven from baseimage

 

As we step into a brand-new year, it's time to ensure your business is set up for success. One of the most crucial, yet often overlooked, tasks for business owners is filing their annual reports. Staying compliant with state requirements is essential to keeping your business in good standing and avoiding penalties or even dissolution.

This guide will walk you through what annual reports are, why they’re important, and the state-specific requirements for 2025.

What Are Annual Reports?

Annual reports are filings that businesses (LLCs, corporations, nonprofits, etc.) submit to their state to provide updated information about their operations. These reports ensure that the state has accurate details about your business, such as:

  • The business name and address

  • Registered agent information

  • Names and addresses of officers, directors, or members

  • Business activity updates (if required by the state)

While the exact content and format vary by state, annual reports are generally straightforward but critical for compliance.

Why Are Annual Reports Important?

Here are a few reasons why filing annual reports is non-negotiable:

  1. Maintain Good Standing: Filing ensures your business remains in compliance with state laws.

  2. Avoid Penalties and Fees: Late or missed filings can result in hefty fines or even administrative dissolution.

  3. Update Business Information: Use this opportunity to keep your business records accurate.

  4. Strengthen Credibility: Compliance demonstrates professionalism to customers, investors, and partners.

When Are Annual Reports Due?

Deadlines for annual reports vary from state to state. Some states require filings on the anniversary of your business formation, while others set a fixed annual or biennial deadline.

Here’s a comprehensive look at annual report deadlines, fees, and additional tax obligations across the U.S. for 2025:

State-by-State LLC Annual Report Requirements

State Annual Report Deadline Filing Fee
Alabama 2.5 months after formation and annually by April 15 $50 minimum
Alaska January 2 (Biennially) $100
Arizona No Requirement N/A
Arkansas May 1 Annually $150
California Various $800 +$20
Colorado 5 month window surrounding anniversary month $10
Connecticut March 31 Annually $80
Delaware June 1, Annually $300
Florida May 1, Annually $138.75
Georgia April 1, Annually $55-$60
Hawaii Every two years by anniversary quarter $15
Idaho Annually by the end of anniversary month No Fee (must file an information report)
Illinois Annually before anniversary month $75
Indiana Biennially by the end of anniversary month $30
Iowa Biennially by April 1 $30
Kansas April 15 $50
Kentucky June 30 $15
Louisiana Annually by anniversary date $35
Maine June 1 $85
Maryland April 15 $300
Massachusetts Annually by anniversary date $500
Michigan February 15 $25
Minnesota December 31 No Fee (must file an information report)
Mississippi April 15 No Fee (must file an information report)
Missouri No annual fee & no annual report due $0
Montana April 15, Annually $20
Nebraska April 1 $13
Nevada Last day of anniversary month $350
New Hampshire April 1 $100
New Jersey Annually by anniversary date $75
New Mexico No annual fee & no annual report due N/A
New York Every two years by anniversary month $9
North Carolina April 15 $200
North Dakota November 15 $50
Ohio No annual fee & no annual report due N/A
Oklahoma Annually by anniversary date $25
Oregon Annually by anniversary date $100
Pennsylvania April 15 $7
Rhode Island May 1 $50
South Carolina April 15 $0
South Dakota By anniversary date $50
Tennessee April 1, Annually $300 minimum
Texas May 15, Annually $0 for most LLCs (must file Public Information Report)
Utah Annually by anniversary date $18
Vermont March 15, Annually $35
Virginia Last day of anniversary month $50
Washington Annually by anniversary month $60
West Virginia July 1, Annually $25
Wisconsin Annually by anniversary date $25
Wyoming 1st day of anniversary month $60 minimum
District of Columbia April 1, Biennially $300

State-by-State C Corporation Annual Report Requirements

State Annual Report Deadline Filing Fee
Alabama March 15 $10
Alaska January 2 (Biennially) $100
Arizona Annually by anniversary date $45
Arkansas May 1 $150
California Annually by the last day of the anniversary month $25
Colorado Annually by the last day of the anniversary month $10
Connecticut March 31 $100
Delaware March 1 Varies
Florida May 1 $150
Georgia April 1 $55-$60
Hawaii Annually by the end of anniversary quarter $0 Information report required
Idaho Annually by the end of anniversary month No Fee
Illinois Annually before anniversary month $75
Indiana Biennially by the end of anniversary month $32
Iowa Biennially by April 1 $60
Kansas April 15 $55
Kentucky June 30 $15
Louisiana Annually by anniversary date $30
Maine June 1 $85
Maryland April 15 $300
Massachusetts Annually by anniversary date $500
Michigan February 15 $25
Minnesota December 31 No Fee
Mississippi April 15 No Fee
Missouri End of anniversary month $45
Montana April 15 $20
Nebraska April 1 $25
Nevada Last day of anniversary month $150-$11,125
New Hampshire April 1 $100
New Jersey Annually by end of registration anniversary month $75
New Mexico Biennially by April 15 $25
New York Biennial, end of anniversary month $9
North Carolina April 15 $21-$25
North Dakota November 15 $50
Ohio No annual report required N/A
Oklahoma Annually by anniversary date $25
Oregon By anniversary date $100
Pennsylvania April 15 $70
Rhode Island March 1 $50
South Carolina April 15 $25
South Dakota By anniversary date $50
Tennessee 1st day of 4th month after fiscal year-end $300
Texas May 15 No Fee
Utah By anniversary date $20
Vermont March 15 $45
Virginia Last day of anniversary month $50
Washington By anniversary date $60
West Virginia June 30 $25
Wisconsin By anniversary date $25
Wyoming 1st day of anniversary month $50 or $0.0002 per dollar of assets
District of Columbia April 1 $300

How Can You Simplify Annual Reports?

Filing annual reports doesn’t have to be stressful. Here’s how we can help at Isaboke Law Firm:

  1. Annual Report Preparation and Filing: We’ll handle the paperwork and ensure your reports are accurate and timely.

  2. Compliance Monitoring: Never miss a deadline with our tracking system.

What Happens If You Don’t File Your Annual Report?

Failing to file your annual report or meet compliance requirements can have serious consequences for your business. Here are some potential risks:

  1. Loss of Good Standing:
    Not filing your annual report on time may result in your business losing its good standing status with the state. This can impact your ability to secure loans, attract investors, or enter into contracts.

  2. Late Fees and Penalties:
    Many states impose late fees for missing the filing deadline, which can range from a few dollars to hundreds depending on the state and how long the report remains overdue.

  3. Administrative Dissolution or Revocation:
    If your business remains non-compliant for an extended period, the state may administratively dissolve your LLC or corporation. This means your business can no longer legally operate until it is reinstated.

  4. Difficulty Reinstating Your Business:
    Reinstating a dissolved entity can be costly and time-consuming. It often involves paying hefty reinstatement fees, filing additional paperwork, and resolving any outstanding debts or penalties.

  5. Personal Liability Exposure:
    For corporations and LLCs, compliance helps maintain the “corporate veil,” which protects your personal assets from business liabilities. Losing good standing may jeopardize this protection, exposing your personal assets to lawsuits or creditors.

  6. Damage to Reputation and Business Operations:
    Clients, vendors, and investors may see non-compliance as a red flag, damaging your business’s credibility and ability to operate efficiently.

Let Us Handle Your Annual Reports

Ready to focus on growing your business instead of worrying about compliance?

 
 
 
 
 

Here’s to a compliant, stress-free, and successful 2025! 🎉

Disclaimer: The information in this article is for general guidance only and may not reflect the latest changes.

Previous
Previous

Top 5 Legal Traps New Charlotte Businesses Overlook & How to Avoid Them

Next
Next

Understanding the January 2025 USPTO Fee Changes and Their Impact on Your Trademark Filings