Guide: Annual Report Filings for Domestic & Foreign Corporations

Our latest guide outlines secretary of state annual and biennial report filing requirements for all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico

If your organization operates in various states, you know how challenging it can be to keep up with the churn of annual report filings. Each jurisdiction has unique forms, filing processes, due dates and fees. Requirements vary based on entity type (corporation, LLC or non-profit) and, in many states, there are different rules for domestic (incorporated in the state) and foreign (incorporated in another state or country) entities.

To help corporations keep track of what information is due to which state and when, Filejet complied information about each state’s requirements into one succinct guide.  

The Importance of Complying with Annual Report Filing Requirements

The work that goes into annual report filings is largely clerical, and can easily become costly and cumbersome. If you use a manual process (a spreadsheet and calendar reminders) or a traditional, national registered agent, it may may be challenging to locate the correct information and consistently file all reports in a timely manner.

Unfortunately, the repercussions for late, inaccurate or missed filings can be significant. While specifics vary by state, failure to adhere to regulations can result in fines or, more seriously, a loss of good standing or the dissolution of an entity. Dissolved entities or those not in good standing can prohibit you from operating in a certain jurisdiction – which can lead to substantial revenue loss. Further, non-compliant entities can damage your organization’s reputation and may hinder plans you have to scale or restructure.  

Your At-a-Glance Guide to Annual Report Filings

Our latest guide, The Filejet Guide to Domestic & Foreign Corporate Annual Report Filings, is a high-level resource for multi-state corporations looking to simplify their approach to annual report filings. For each state, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, the guide lists and, when relevant, links to:

• The reporting agency
• The appropriate form (or forms) for domestic and foreign entities, if applicable
• Filing fee(s)
• Filing period
• Information about how to file

The guide closes with thoughts about how best to organize and manage annual report filings. Organizations that operate in many states and struggle to adhere to filing requirements may want to consider investing in software that automates annual report filings and more.

For more state-specific information about annual report filings – and tips to ensure they stay compliant – download the guide.