One of the most overlooked ongoing costs of running a limited liability company is the LLC annual report fee. Unlike the one-time state filing fee you pay when you form your LLC, annual report fees are recurring obligations that can range from $0 in states like New Mexico to $800 or more in California — and missing them can result in penalties, loss of good standing, or even involuntary dissolution. This guide breaks down what annual reports actually are, what they cost in every major state, and how to stay compliant without overpaying.
What Is an LLC Annual Report Fee?
An LLC annual report (sometimes called a Statement of Information, Biennial Report, or Annual Renewal) is a routine filing that keeps your state’s business registry up to date. You’re typically confirming your LLC’s current registered agent, principal address, and member or manager information. It’s less about reporting financials and more about saying “we’re still here and operating.”
The fee attached to this filing is what’s known as the LLC annual report fee. It goes directly to your state’s Secretary of State office (or equivalent agency) and is separate from any franchise taxes, income taxes, or federal obligations. Think of it as a subscription cost for maintaining your LLC’s legal existence.
LLC Annual Report Fees by State: Real Numbers You Can Use
Here’s a breakdown of annual or biennial report fees across key states. Note that some states charge a flat fee, while others base the fee on the LLC’s authorized shares, membership count, or other factors.
- California: No traditional annual report fee, but LLCs pay an $800 minimum franchise tax annually plus a $20 Statement of Information fee every two years.
- Texas: No annual report fee for most LLCs, but a Public Information Report is required annually. LLCs with revenue over $2.47 million may owe franchise tax.
- Florida: $138.75 annual report fee, due between January 1 and May 1. Late filing adds a $400 penalty.
- New York: $9 biennial statement fee — one of the lowest in the country — but New York’s publication requirement (averaging $1,000–$2,000 in NYC) is a major hidden cost.
- Delaware: $300 flat annual report fee for LLCs (technically a franchise tax), due June 1 each year.
- Illinois: $75 annual report fee, with a $100 penalty for late filing.
- Wyoming: $60 minimum annual report fee, or 0.0002% of assets located in Wyoming if that’s higher — a very business-friendly structure.
- Nevada: $350 annual fee ($200 business license + $150 annual list), due on the last day of the anniversary month.
- Colorado: $10 periodic report fee — one of the most affordable in the country.
- Massachusetts: $500 annual report fee, making it one of the most expensive states for ongoing LLC compliance.
- Ohio: No annual report required for LLCs — $0 in ongoing filing fees.
- New Mexico: No annual report required — making it a popular state for low-cost LLC formation and maintenance.
When Are LLC Annual Reports Due?
Due dates vary significantly by state. There are three common structures:
- Calendar year deadlines: Many states (like Florida and Illinois) require all LLCs to file by a fixed date — typically January 1 through April 15.
- Anniversary-based deadlines: States like Nevada and Colorado tie your due date to the month your LLC was formed or registered.
- Biennial filings: Some states only require reports every two years. New York, for example, sends a biennial statement every two years based on your formation date.
Missing your deadline can trigger immediate late fees. Florida’s $400 late penalty is particularly punishing. In some states, failure to file for two or more consecutive years can result in administrative dissolution — meaning your LLC loses its legal status entirely and you’d need to reinstate it, often at additional cost.
Hidden Costs Beyond the Annual Report Fee
The annual report fee itself is often just the beginning. Entrepreneurs are frequently surprised by other recurring costs that stack on top of it:
- Registered agent fees: If you use a professional registered agent service (common for out-of-state LLCs), expect to pay $50–$300 per year.
- State franchise taxes: California’s $800 minimum franchise tax applies regardless of revenue or profit. Texas has its own franchise tax for higher-revenue businesses.
- Foreign qualification fees: Operating in multiple states? Each state where you foreign-qualify your LLC will charge its own annual report and registration fees.
- Reinstatement fees: If your LLC is dissolved for non-compliance, reinstatement fees can run $100–$500 or more depending on the state.
How to Keep Your LLC in Good Standing
Staying on top of annual report obligations doesn’t require an accountant on retainer. Here are practical steps any entrepreneur can take:
- Set a calendar reminder at least 60 days before your annual report due date in every state where your LLC is registered or foreign-qualified.
- Keep your registered agent information current — most states send compliance reminders to your registered agent’s address.
- If you operate in multiple states, create a compliance spreadsheet listing each state’s fee, due date, and filing method (online vs. mail).
- Consider using your state’s official Secretary of State website to file directly and avoid third-party upsell fees.
The LLC annual report fee may seem like a minor administrative detail, but across a 5- or 10-year business lifespan, these costs add up meaningfully — especially if you’re registered in high-fee states like Massachusetts, California, or Nevada. Knowing what you owe, and when, is a core part of responsible LLC management.
Ready to see the full picture of your LLC’s ongoing costs? Use the free LLC cost calculator at llccostcalc.com to instantly compare formation fees, annual report fees, and franchise taxes across every state — so you can choose the right state for your business and budget before you file.
- LegalZoom LLC Annual Report Filing Service — Directly helps readers manage their LLC annual report filing obligations across different states, automating a key compliance task discussed in the post
- QuickBooks Self-Employed Accounting Software — Helps LLC owners track and manage recurring business expenses like annual report fees for tax planning and financial organization purposes
- Rocket Lawyer LLC Services — Provides affordable compliance support including annual report management and reminder services to help readers stay on top of state-specific deadlines and fees
Related: What Happens If You Don’t File Your LLC Annual Report
Related: LLC Annual Report Fees by State: What You Need to Pay
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