What is an Iowa Biennial Report?
One of the requirements of maintaining an LLC or corporation in Iowa is filing a Biennial Report, which is commonly known in many states as an Annual Report. The Biennial Report is used to confirm and update the company’s information each year with the Iowa Secretary of State, such as the name and address of the owners, registered agent, and principal office address.
Related: How to form an LLC in Iowa
Who Needs to File a Biennial Report?
Domestic and foreign corporations and LLCs are required to file a biennial report every other year after the year the company was formed.
What is Needed to File an Iowa Biennial Report?
The Biennial Report can be filed online through the Iowa Secretary of State’s website using theFast Track Filing System or filling in Form 48725.
The report asks for information such as:
- Business name
- Street address of the principal place of business
- Name and street address (P.O. Boxes are not allowed) of the Registered Agent
Filing is processed immediately when filing online or 7-10 business days when filing by mail.
Iowa Biennial Report Cost
The Biennial Report filing fee for both the Corporation or LLC is $45 for online filing and $60 for paper filing.
Biennial Report Due Date
The Secretary of State’s office sends a reminder notice in early January. Even though a reminder is sent, it’s important to make an additional reminder for yourself should you not receive it.
The biennial filing is due every other year, depending on the entity type.
Corporation: File by April 1st every even year.
For example, your Corporation was formed on January 1st, 2021, the Biennial Report deadline will be April 1st, 2023. You are able to file starting in early January.
LLC: File by April 1st every odd-numbered year.
For example, if your LLC was formed on January 1st, 2021, the first report will be due April 1st, 2023. You are able to file in early January.
Annual Report Filing Service
If you would rather use a service that guarantees the annual report is filed on-time, check out the annual report filing service through Northwest.
My business made little or no money. Do I still have to file the Biennial Report?
Even if your Corporation or LLC received no income or had no business activity, the Biennial Report is still required to be filed.
What happens if you don’t file the Biennial Report on time?
While there is no late fee for the Biennial Report, if it is not filed in a timely manner, the Secretary of State will initially be put into a Delinquent status where the entity will lose its status of good standing with the state. Eventually, the entity will be administratively dissolved.
How do you change the Registered Agent?
While the Iowa Annual Report form asks for the name and address of the Registered Agent, the Registered Agent can’t be updated on this form. To update the Registered Agent’s information, fill out the Statement of Chance of Registered Office and/or Registered Agent. There is no fee to make the change.
Iowa Secretary of State Contact Information
The mailing address for the Iowa Biennial Report is:
Secretary of State
First Floor – Lucas Building
321 E. 12th Street
Des Moines, IA 50319
If you have questions, they can be contacted at (515)-281-5204.
