LLC Annual Report (What is It & How to File It)

Published by Atty. Danya Shakfeh | Author

Last updated: June 11, 2026

FACT CHECKED by Lou Viveros, Growth & Transition Advisor

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An LLC annual report is a state-required filing that updates your company's contact details, registered agent, and ownership information, and missing the deadline can trigger fines or even dissolution.

As a corporate attorney who has guided over 50 LLCs through annual compliance filings across multiple states, I know exactly where owners run into trouble.

This guide covers what the report includes, what it costs, and how to file it correctly the first time. See the state-by-state filing guide below for your specific form, deadline, and fee, and our LLC cost guide for the full picture of ongoing LLC costs.

Quick Summary

What Is an Annual Report for LLC?

An annual report for an LLC is a document that keeps information on your company's contact information, officers, change of registered agent, and other necessary details [2].

This document is also known as a Statement of Information or a Periodic Report.

Annual reports are a requirement of State law. Failing to file an annual report can result in penalties and fines. Additionally, an up-to-date annual report helps the State maintain accurate records for your company.

Some states have biennial requirements (every 2 years) or even decennial requirements (every 10 years). Pennsylvania is the only state with a decennial report; California, New York, and several others run on a biennial cycle.

"I've seen LLCs administratively dissolved while their owners were completely unaware. The state doesn't call, they file paperwork and it's done. Missing an annual report is one of the few mistakes that can end your liability protection overnight without warning."

- Atty. Danya Shakfeh, Corporate Attorney & Writer of Venture Smarter

How to file your LLC annual report

How easy it is to file an LLC annual report depends on the state's regulations. Different states have different processes.

In my practice, most states now accept the filing online through the Secretary of State's portal, California (bizfileOnline), Texas (Comptroller WebFile), Florida (Sunbiz), and Delaware all support online filing. A handful of states still require a paper form mailed to the SOS. Check your state-specific guide below for the exact process.

A filing fee must be paid in most states before you file an annual report. Depending on the state, fees range from $0 to $500.

What to include in the annual report

Here are the details that may be required in an annual report:

• The full legal name of the LLC.
• Principal business address.
• Registered agent's name and address (if applicable).
• Brief description of the business activities conducted during the year.
• Significant achievements or milestones.
• Summary of the financial performance (e.g., revenue, profit, expenses).
• Balance sheet and income statement (if required).
• Names and addresses of the LLC's members or managers.
• Ownership structure and percentage of ownership for each member.
• Statement of any changes in registered agent or office address (if any).
• Date of the report.
• Signature of an authorized filer, member, or manager.

Not all states require every item on this list. Most basic annual reports only require: LLC name, principal address, registered agent, and member/manager names. Check your state's specific form for what's actually required.

How early can I file my annual report?

For most states, active and inactive businesses can submit their annual reports as early as January 1.

Set a calendar reminder at least 30 days before your deadline. Many states process filings within days, don't wait until the last minute.

See our article to learn how to check an LLC Status.

What is the filing fee for the report?

The annual fee for an LLC varies from state to state and can range between $0-$500.

Specific examples:

• Idaho: $0 (no fee)
• Arizona, Missouri, New Mexico, Ohio, South Carolina: no annual report requirement
• Colorado: $10 (cheapest with a traditional annual report)
• Illinois: $75
• Florida: $138.75 (one of the most precise fee amounts - late fee is $400)
• Delaware: $300 annual franchise tax in lieu of a report fee
• Maryland: $300
• Massachusetts: $500 (highest annual report fee)
• Texas: $0 franchise tax report if revenue is under $2.47M; rates apply above that threshold
• California: $20 Statement of Information fee + the $800 minimum franchise tax (the effective ongoing cost)

The filing fee is a recurring payment made to the state to maintain the LLC's compliance and good standing status. The frequency of this payment varies by state, typically occurring every one or two years.

This fee is mandatory for all LLCs, irrespective of the company's income level or business activity.

What is the due date for submitting the report?

The due date for submitting the first annual report (and every other after that) varies from state to state but is generally due on the anniversary of the LLC formation.

Some states have a predetermined date when all companies must submit an annual report regardless of their registration date:

• Florida: May 1 - the late fee jumps to $400 the next day, and the state administratively dissolves non-filers by the third Friday of September.
• Maryland: April 15.
• Texas: May 15 (franchise tax report).
• California: Statement of Information due within 90 days of formation, then every 2 years.
• Delaware: June 1 (franchise tax).
• Massachusetts: March 15.

If you have an LLC in more than one state, they are called foreign LLCs in that state, and you should also file annual reports for them according to local LLC laws.

I recommend using an experienced annual report service yearly to assist with the paperwork because it can be challenging to keep track of all the due dates and documentation across multiple states.

What are the penalties for not filing the LLC annual report?

Not filing annual reports on time can result in penalties or even dissolution of your business by the State.

Specific penalty examples:

• Florida: $400 late fee after May 1. Dissolved by the third Friday of September if not filed.
• California: $250 penalty for late Statement of Information.
• Nevada: $750 default judgment against the LLC for a missed annual list.
• General: Most states charge $25-$100 in late fees, then additional fees for reinstatement.

Late filings can affect your company's standing, impacting its ability to secure loans, close contracts, or expand operations. This emphasizes the critical nature of maintaining good standing with state regulations for small business sustainability and growth.

Your LLC's limited liability protection ends if it is dissolved. Your company's capacity to pursue an action in state court, for example, suing another party for breach of contract, can be harmed if it loses good standing.

In my practice, the most painful cases are owners who missed a single deadline and only discovered their LLC was dissolved months later when a bank flagged the entity status during a routine review. By then, contracts signed in the dissolved period had become a legal mess. Hiring professional services, or using an LLC formation service that handles annual report filing as part of an ongoing plan (see our Best LLC Services comparison), is the cheapest insurance against this scenario.

How to reinstate your LLC after a missed annual report

If your LLC was dissolved for missing an annual report, most states let you reinstate it, but it costs more the longer you wait. You'll need to file every overdue report, pay all back fees and late penalties, and submit a reinstatement application to your Secretary of State.

Reinstatement filing fees typically range from $25 to $500 depending on the state, on top of any back annual report fees.

Some states allow for administrative reinstatement (a simpler process) vs. a full reinstatement. Virginia's State Corporation Commission, for example, offers a quick reinstatement process for LLCs dissolved within the past 5 years. Delaware's process is among the most expensive, reinstatement can cost hundreds in back fees and penalties.

Some states also require a tax clearance certificate before they'll restore your status. Most states cap the reinstatement window at two to five years, so check your state's rules quickly.

Using a registered agent service with compliance reminders is the easiest way to prevent missed deadlines in the first place. See our Best Registered Agent Services comparison.

Annual report filing by state

FAQs

References:

1. https://advocacy.sba.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Frequently-Asked-Questions-About-Small-Business_2024-508.pdf
2. https://www.sos.ca.gov/business-programs/business-entities/statements