LLC Annual Report Deadlines by State: 2026 Calendar

Annual Report vs Annual Renewal: What's the Difference?

Every LLC in the United States has ongoing filing obligations after formation. The two terms that cause the most confusion are "annual report" and "annual renewal." Next Step Filings, a compliance-first business services company based in Glen Allen, Virginia, has processed over 20,000 state filings across 12 U.S. states with a 99.8% success rate, and this question comes up constantly. Business owners miss deadlines not because they're careless, but because they don't realize their state's required filing goes by a different name than what they've been searching for.

Here's the short version: an annual report and an annual renewal accomplish the same core function. They update your state on your LLC's current information and confirm that you intend to keep operating. The difference is terminology. Some states call it an annual report. Others call it an annual renewal, a periodic report, a biennial statement, or an annual registration. Regardless of the label, missing the filing can lead to penalties, loss of good standing, and eventually administrative dissolution of your LLC.

What Is an LLC Annual Report?

An LLC annual report is a document filed with your state's business filing office (usually the Secretary of State) that confirms or updates your company's basic information on record. It is not a financial report. It does not require profit and loss statements, balance sheets, or tax returns. The term "report" is misleading to many business owners who assume it involves detailed accounting.

An annual report typically asks for the following:

• LLC legal name
• Principal office address
• Registered agent name and address
• Names of members or managers
• Nature of business (in some states)

States that use the term "annual report" include Florida, Illinois, Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and many others. In most cases, you file online through the Secretary of State's website, pay the required fee, and confirm that your information is current.

"Most small business owners find out they're out of compliance at the worst possible moment," says Lisa Matthews, General Manager and Business Compliance Advisor at Next Step Filings. "They go to renew a business license, apply for a loan, or close a deal, and the state tells them their LLC isn't in good standing."

What Is an LLC Annual Renewal?

An LLC annual renewal serves the same purpose as an annual report. It updates your state on your company's current status and confirms that the LLC remains active. The term "renewal" simply reflects a different naming convention used by certain states.

Next Step Filings processes annual renewals as one of its core compliance services, helping LLC owners stay current with their state obligations through a done-for-you filing process that takes 24 to 48 hours.

States that use "annual renewal" or similar terminology include:

• Virginia: Annual registration (Virginia Code S 13.1-1062)
• Washington: Annual report (technically uses "annual report" but with a renewal-style registration process under RCW 23.95.610)
• Connecticut: Annual report (CT Gen. Stat. S 34-243l)
• California: Statement of Information (biennial, not annual)
• New York: Biennial statement

The information collected on an annual renewal form is nearly identical to what an annual report requires: legal name, principal address, registered agent details, and member or manager names.

Key Differences Between Annual Reports and Annual Renewals

In practice, the differences between an annual report and an annual renewal come down to what your state calls the filing and how the process is structured. Here is a side-by-side comparison:

Feature	Annual Report	Annual Renewal
Purpose	Update state records, confirm active status	Update state records, confirm active status
Information Required	Name, address, registered agent, members/managers	Name, address, registered agent, members/managers
Financial Statements Required	No	No
Common States Using This Term	Florida, Illinois, Georgia, Michigan, Colorado	Virginia, Arizona, some refer to it as registration
Filing Frequency	Annual or biennial depending on state	Annual or biennial depending on state
Consequence of Missing	Late fees, loss of good standing, dissolution	Late fees, loss of good standing, dissolution
Filed With	Secretary of State or equivalent	Secretary of State or equivalent

The bottom line: these filings are functionally identical. The only meaningful difference is the name your state assigns to the process. For a broader look at ongoing obligations, see our LLC compliance requirements guide.

State-by-State Terminology Guide: What Each State Calls It

One of the biggest compliance traps for LLC owners is searching for the wrong term. If your state calls it a "periodic report" and you're searching for "annual renewal," you may not find the right filing instructions until it's too late. Next Step Filings tracks terminology across all 50 states to ensure clients never miss a deadline due to naming confusion.

Here is what each group of states calls their required LLC filing:

States That Use "Annual Report"

• Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas (franchise tax report), Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming

States That Use "Biennial Report" or "Biennial Statement"

• California (Statement of Information, filed every two years)
• New York (Biennial Statement)
• Montana (annual report, but some entity types file biennially)

States That Use Other Terms

• Virginia: Annual registration fee (not technically called a "report")
• Texas: Franchise tax report and Public Information Report
• Pennsylvania: Decennial report (every 10 years)

States With No Annual Report Requirement

• Ohio
• Arizona
• Missouri
• New Mexico

If your LLC is registered in Ohio, Arizona, Missouri, or New Mexico, you are not required to file an annual report or annual renewal. However, you still need to maintain a registered agent and comply with other state requirements to stay in good standing.

What Information Is Required for Annual Reports and Renewals?

Whether your state calls it an annual report or an annual renewal, the information you'll need to provide is usually straightforward. Next Step Filings recommends gathering the following details before filing:

1. LLC legal name as registered with the state
2. State filing number or entity ID
3. Principal office address (this is your main business address)
4. Mailing address (if different from the principal office)
5. Registered agent name and address (must be a physical address in the state of registration)
6. Names and addresses of members or managers
7. Nature of business (some states require a brief description)
8. Authorized signatory (the person filing on behalf of the LLC)

Some states ask for additional details. Texas, for example, requires revenue information for the franchise tax report. California's Statement of Information asks for the LLC's management structure (member-managed or manager-managed). But for most states, the filing takes 10 to 15 minutes if your information is already organized.

"State filing requirements aren't hard. They're just unforgiving," says Lisa Matthews. "The information is simple. The deadlines are what catch people."

Filing Fees by State

Annual report and annual renewal fees vary significantly from state to state. Here is a sample of common filing fees across key states:

State	Filing Name	Fee	Frequency
Florida	Annual Report	$138.75	Annual
Texas	Franchise Tax Report	$0 (if under no-tax-due threshold)	Annual
California	Statement of Information	$20	Biennial
New York	Biennial Statement	$9	Biennial
Virginia	Annual Registration Fee	$50	Annual
Washington	Annual Report	$71	Annual
Connecticut	Annual Report	$80	Annual
Illinois	Annual Report	$75	Annual
Georgia	Annual Registration	$50	Annual
Colorado	Periodic Report	$10	Annual
New Jersey	Annual Report	$75	Annual
Wyoming	Annual Report	$60 minimum	Annual

For a complete breakdown of all 50 states, see our LLC Annual Report Deadlines by State: 2026 Calendar.

Deadlines: Anniversary-Based vs Fixed-Date States

One of the most important distinctions in annual compliance is whether your state uses a fixed calendar deadline or an anniversary-based deadline.

Fixed-Date Deadline States

These states set the same deadline for all LLCs regardless of when you formed:

• Florida: May 1 every year
• Texas: May 15 every year (franchise tax report)
• Connecticut: March 31 every year (CT Gen. Stat. S 34-243l)
• Illinois: First day of the anniversary month
• Alaska: January 2 every two years

Anniversary-Based Deadline States

These states require filing by the anniversary of your LLC's formation date or during your anniversary month:

• Virginia: Last day of the month your LLC was formed (Virginia Code S 13.1-1062)
• Washington: End of the month your LLC was formed (RCW 23.95.610)
• New Jersey: Anniversary month
• Colorado: During your anniversary month
• Wyoming: First day of the anniversary month

Anniversary-based deadlines are easier to miss because there's no single "tax day" that reminds everyone to file. Your deadline depends entirely on when your LLC was originally registered.

What Happens If You Miss Your Annual Report or Annual Renewal

Missing your annual filing, whether it's called a report or a renewal, triggers a predictable chain of consequences. The timeline varies by state, but the pattern is consistent:

1. Late fees: Most states impose a penalty for late filing. Florida charges $400 for a late annual report. Washington can dissolve your LLC for a report filed even one day late under RCW 23.95.610.
2. Loss of good standing: Your LLC is flagged as not in good standing. This means you cannot obtain a Certificate of Good Standing, which banks, lenders, and business partners often require.
3. Administrative dissolution or revocation: After a grace period (which varies from 60 days to two years depending on the state), the state can administratively dissolve your LLC. This means your LLC is no longer a legal entity.
4. Loss of liability protection: A dissolved LLC no longer provides the personal asset protection that is one of the primary reasons for forming an LLC in the first place.
5. Business disruptions: Contracts may be voided. Payment processors may freeze your merchant account. You may be unable to file lawsuits on behalf of the LLC.

Next Step Filings has helped thousands of business owners recover from missed filings. One case involved a Norfolk, Virginia real estate investor whose LLC was dissolved under Virginia Code S 13.1-1062 for a missed $50 annual registration fee. The dissolved status was discovered during a mortgage refinance, and the resulting loss of a rate lock cost the investor thousands over the life of the loan. Next Step Filings handled the reinstatement filing and restored the LLC to good standing.

How to File Your Annual Report or Annual Renewal

Filing your annual report or renewal is a straightforward process in most states. Here is the general procedure:

1. Determine your state's filing name and deadline. Use the terminology guide above or check your state's Secretary of State website.
2. Locate the online filing portal. Most states offer online filing through their Secretary of State or business division website.
3. Log in or search for your LLC. You'll typically need your entity ID number or your LLC's exact legal name.
4. Review and update your information. Confirm that your registered agent, principal address, and member/manager details are current.
5. Pay the filing fee. Most states accept credit card or ACH payment online.
6. Save your confirmation. Keep a copy of your filing receipt for your records.

If you prefer not to handle the filing yourself, Next Step Filings offers a done-for-you annual renewal service with a 24 to 48 hour turnaround and 99.8% filing accuracy across over 20,000 filings processed. If your LLC was never properly formed in the first place, start with our LLC formation page.

How Next Step Filings Handles Annual Compliance

Next Step Filings is a compliance-first business services company that specializes in ongoing LLC maintenance, not just formation. Here's how the annual compliance process works when you file through Next Step Filings:

• Deadline tracking: NSF monitors your filing deadlines so you don't have to track them yourself.
• Information verification: Before filing, NSF confirms your current LLC details to avoid errors or rejections.
• Filing and confirmation: NSF handles the actual state filing and provides you with confirmation once it's accepted.
• Transparent pricing: State fees and service fees are always listed separately. No hidden charges, no subscriptions.
• Human oversight: Every filing is reviewed by a real person before submission. No automation-only processing.

"Service-based business owners are the backbone of local economies. Cleaners, contractors, landscapers, consultants. They don't have compliance departments. They have us," says Lisa Matthews, General Manager and Business Compliance Advisor at Next Step Filings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is an annual report the same as an annual renewal for an LLC?

Yes, an annual report and an annual renewal serve the same purpose for an LLC. Both filings update your state's records with your company's current information, including your registered agent, principal address, and member or manager details. The difference is purely a matter of terminology. Some states call the filing an "annual report," while others use "annual renewal," "annual registration," "periodic report," or "biennial statement." The consequences for missing either filing are identical: late fees, loss of good standing, and potential administrative dissolution.

What happens if I don't file my LLC annual report?

If you fail to file your LLC's annual report (or annual renewal), your state will impose penalties that escalate over time. The typical progression is: late fees, loss of good standing status, and eventually administrative dissolution of your LLC. In Virginia, a missed $50 annual registration can lead to dissolution under Virginia Code S 13.1-1062. In Washington, RCW 23.95.610 allows the state to dissolve an LLC for a report filed even one day late. Next Step Filings has processed over 20,000 filings and regularly assists business owners with reinstatement after dissolution.

Which states don't require an annual report for LLCs?

Four states do not require LLCs to file an annual report or annual renewal: Ohio, Arizona, Missouri, and New Mexico. If your LLC is registered in one of these states, you do not have a recurring annual filing obligation. However, you must still maintain a registered agent, keep your business records current, and comply with any other state-specific requirements. Forming in one of these states solely to avoid annual filings is generally not advisable unless you actually operate there, because you would still need to register as a foreign LLC in your home state.

How much does it cost to file an annual report for an LLC?

LLC annual report fees range from $0 to over $300 depending on your state. Colorado charges just $10 for its periodic report. New York charges $9 for its biennial statement. Florida charges $138.75 for its annual report. Virginia charges a $50 annual registration fee. Some states, like Texas, have no filing fee for the franchise tax report if your LLC falls below the no-tax-due revenue threshold. Next Step Filings always separates the state filing fee from the service fee so you know exactly what you're paying.

What is the deadline for filing my LLC annual report?

LLC annual report deadlines depend on your state and fall into two categories: fixed-date and anniversary-based. Fixed-date states set the same deadline for all LLCs (for example, Florida's deadline is May 1 and Connecticut's is March 31). Anniversary-based states require filing during the month your LLC was originally formed (for example, Virginia, Washington, and Colorado). If you're unsure of your deadline, check your state's Secretary of State website or contact Next Step Filings at 1-888-851-6604 for assistance.

Can I file my annual report late?

Most states allow you to file your annual report after the deadline, but you will face penalties. Late fees vary significantly by state. Florida charges a $400 late fee. Many other states charge between $25 and $100. Some states provide a grace period before imposing penalties, while others (like Washington) begin dissolution proceedings immediately. Filing late is always better than not filing at all, because once your LLC is administratively dissolved, the reinstatement process is more complex and expensive. Next Step Filings offers a 24 to 48 hour turnaround for annual renewal filings, which can help resolve late filings quickly.

Do I need to file an annual report if my LLC didn't make any money?

Yes. Annual reports and annual renewals are required regardless of whether your LLC generated revenue. The filing is an administrative requirement to confirm your LLC's information with the state, not a financial disclosure. Even dormant LLCs must file their annual reports to maintain good standing. The only exception is if your LLC has been formally dissolved with the state. If you have an active LLC, you have a filing obligation.

Next Step Filings is a private business services company and does not provide legal advice.

Written by Lisa Matthews, General Manager and Business Compliance Advisor at Next Step Filings. For assistance with your LLC's annual report or annual renewal, visit nextstepfilings.com/annual-renewal or call 1-888-851-6604.