What is a North Carolina Annual Report?
One of the requirements of maintaining a Limited Liability Company (LLC), Limited Liability Partnership (LLP), Limited Liability Limited Partnership (LLLP), or corporation in North Carolina is filing an Annual Report. The Annual Report is used to confirm and update the company’s information each year with the North Carolina Secretary of State.
Related: How to form an LLC in North Carolina
Who Needs to File an Annual Report?
Domestic and foreign corporations, LLCs, LLPs, and LLLPs are required to file an annual report each year after the year the company was formed.
What is Needed to File a North Carolina Annual Report?
You have the option of filing your Corporation, LLP, LLLP, and LLC Annual Report online or by mail. To file online, visit the North Carolina Secretary of State’s website, otherwise, you can download and fill out the Annual Report.
The report asks for information such as:
- Legal name of the business
- Contact information for the Registered Agent
- Nature of the business
- Name and address of the officers, directors, members, and/or managers
Processing is immediate when filing online or 7-10 business days when filing by mail.
North Carolina Annual Report Fee
The North Carolina Annual Report filing fee for a Corporation is $20, and a Limited Liability Company is $200.
Annual Report Due Date
The due date of the Annual Report varies based on the type of business entity.
Corporations: Annual Reports for North Carolina Corporations are due by the 15th day of the fourth month after the end of the Corporation’s taxable year. Most Corporations use the calendar year as their taxable year, meaning the end of their taxable year is December 31st. For example, if your Corporation was formed on January 1, 2021, and the end of the taxable year is December 31st, the due date for the first Biennial Statement will be due April 15th, 2022.Â
LLCs/LLPs/LLLPs: Annual Reports for North Carolina LLCs/LLPs/LLLPs are due by April 15th. The first annual report isn’t due until the year following formation. For example, if your LLC was formed on April 1, 2021, the first Annual Report will be due April 15th, 2022.Â
The Secretary of State’s office emails a reminder in advance of the Annual Report due date. Even though a reminder is sent, it’s important to make an additional reminder for yourself should you not receive it.Â
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.ÂÂ
My business made little or no money. Do I still have to file the Annual Report?
Even if your Corporation or LLC received no income or had no business activity, the Annual Report is still required to be filed.
What happens if you don’t file the Annual Report on time?
While there are no late fee penalties for a late Annual Report, the Secretary of State will send a Notice for Grounds for Administrative Dissolution or Revocation. If the report isn’t filed within 60 days of this notice, the state will administratively dissolve the entity.
North Carolina Secretary of State Contact Information
North Carolina Secretary of State
Corporations Division
PO Box 29525
Raleigh, NC 27626-0525
If you have questions, they can be contacted at (919-807-2225 or arinfo@sosnc.gov.
