Annual reports, in plain English.
What it contains
Entity name, principal address, registered agent, officers/managers, sometimes franchise tax payment. State-specific.
When it's due
Varies wildly: anniversary date (DE), fixed annual date (CA Mar 31), biennial (NY every 2 years), or based on filing month (TX May 15).
What it costs
$0 (NY) to $800+ (CA). Most states $50-$200. Late fees add $50-$300+. Pay nothing or pay a lot, your call.
Liability shield at stake
Admin dissolution means your LLC/Corp no longer exists. Owners are now personally liable for business debts.
Banks + lenders check
Underwriters pull state status on every loan application, RFP, and major contract. Bad standing = blocked.
Reinstatement is painful
Once dissolved, reinstatement costs $200-$500+ in back-fees, requires a new application, and may force a new entity name if yours has been taken.
A clean handoff, in 4 steps.
What it is
A state-required snapshot confirming your entity exists, where it operates, and who runs it.
When it's due
Each state has its own date. Some annual, some biennial. We track all 51.
What happens if late
Late fee → loss of good standing → administrative dissolution → personal liability for owners.
How to never miss
Use our free tracker, or upgrade to autofile for zero-touch peace of mind.
One-time, or part of your BOS.
- State-by-state filing guides
- Form lookup links
- Due date references
- Disclaimer: state procedures change
- 1 AR filing
- We pre-fill from intake
- State fee paid
- Filed receipt to vault
- 30 days specialist support
Common questions.
What is an annual report?
An annual report is a periodic filing most states require to keep your entity's information, address, officers or managers, and agent, current on the public record and confirm the entity is active. Despite the name, some states require it every other year. Missing it risks penalties and loss of good standing. We track and file your annual report.
Why do I have to file an annual report?
States use it to keep entity records current and confirm the business still exists, and it is a condition of staying in good standing, so it is mandatory even if nothing changed. We track your deadline and file it so your entity stays compliant rather than drifting toward administrative dissolution.
When is my annual report due?
Due dates vary widely by state and entity type, tied to your formation anniversary, a fixed calendar date, or another schedule, which makes them easy to miss. We track your specific due date so the filing lands on time rather than being missed because the schedule varies.
What happens if I miss it?
States typically charge a late penalty and can place your entity out of good standing, and continued failure can lead to administrative dissolution, which jeopardizes your liability protection. We track the deadline so a missed report does not quietly escalate into losing your entity's standing.
What information does an annual report require?
Usually your entity's address, the names and addresses of officers, directors, or managers, and your registered agent, so the public record stays current, and some states add a fee. We prepare the filing so the information is accurate and complete.
Do I have to file if nothing changed?
Yes: most states require the report on schedule even with no changes, so a no-change filing is still mandatory. We track the deadline so your entity files on time whether or not anything has changed since last period.
Is an annual report the same in every state?
No: the name, frequency, form, and fee vary, and some states call it a statement of information or biennial report, so a multi-state business faces different requirements in each. We track each state's rules so an entity registered in several places meets all of them.
How does the annual report relate to good standing?
Filing it on time is a key condition of staying in good standing, which banks, lenders, and other states rely on, so the report protects more than the record. We keep it current so your good standing, and everything that depends on it, stays intact.
Can File.Business file my annual report?
Yes: we track your annual report due date across every state you are registered in, prepare and file it, and keep your entity's information current, so your business stays in good standing without you watching the varying deadlines yourself.