Explainer · April 7, 2026
LLC Annual Report: How States Handle Yearly Filings
LLC annual report rules differ by state, but most states want one. It is a short filing that tells the state your company is still active and who to contact. It is not a tax return, and it is not the same as the federal return you file with the IRS.
Why states ask for a yearly report
A state keeps a public record of every LLC. The report keeps that record fresh. It lists your business name, your address and the person who accepts legal papers for you, called the registered agent. Many states also ask for the names of your members or managers.
The U.S. Small Business Administration says most states require either an annual report or a biennial statement. A biennial statement is filed once every two years. The SBA adds that some states set the due date on the anniversary of your formation date, while others pick one day for every business.
What the report usually asks for
Expect a short form. Most states ask for the same handful of facts.
- The legal name of the LLC and its state file number.
- The principal office and mailing address.
- The registered agent and the agent's address.
- The names and addresses of managers or members, in states that require them.
Some states also ask whether the business is still active. If anything changed during the year, such as a new address, this is the time to fix it. Most states let you file online, and many send a reminder first. Do not count on the reminder. If your mail went to an old address, you can miss it.
How fees and deadlines differ
Fees are not the same everywhere. The SBA notes that fees can run past $300 in some states. The three examples below show how wide the range is. The figures are from each state's own site as of early April 2026.
- Florida. An LLC files an annual report and pays $138.75. The state said filings made by May 1, 2026 avoid a $400 late fee.
- California. An LLC files a Statement of Information every two years, in its month of registration, in either odd or even years based on the year it registered. The state lists the fee as $20 or $25 on its help page.
- Delaware. An LLC files no annual report at all. It pays a yearly tax of $300 on or before June 1.
So the same idea, staying on the state's books, can mean a $20 form every other year or a $300 payment every year. Check your own state. Do not assume the rule from the state where you formed is the rule where you operate.
What happens if you file late
Late filing costs money first. In Florida, a report received after May 1 costs $538.75 instead of $138.75. Delaware adds a $200 penalty plus 1.5 percent interest per month on the tax and penalty if the tax is not paid.
The bigger risk comes later. Florida says annual reports are due by the third Friday in September to avoid administrative dissolution. That means the state ends the LLC's legal standing. In California, the Secretary of State sends a notice of delinquency first. If no statement is filed within 60 days, the state tells the Franchise Tax Board, which assesses and collects a penalty.
A lapsed LLC can also lose its good standing. Banks, lenders and buyers often ask for proof of good standing. Fixing it costs more than filing on time.
A simple way to stay on time
Pick one habit and stick with it. Put the due date on a calendar the day you form the LLC. Set a reminder at least a month ahead. Keep the registered agent's details current so state notices reach a real person.
Also file straight with the state. California has warned that mailers from private companies can look official. Paying a third party does not meet your legal duty to file with the state. Use the state's own website, and keep a copy of the receipt with your company records.
Finally, if the state sends a notice, answer it fast. Most penalties grow with time, and some states let you fix a lapse only within a set window.