North Carolina Annual Report Guide
Filing annual reports in North Carolina is a key requirement for maintaining good standing with the Secretary of State. These reports keep the state’s records up to date, ensure transparency, and confirm that your business remains compliant with state regulations. Failing to file can result in late fees, administrative dissolution, or loss of authority to operate in North Carolina.
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- Business Corporations (domestic & foreign)
- Limited Liability Companies (LLCs, including
L3Cs) - Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs)
- Limited Liability Limited Partnerships (LLLPs)
- Cooperative Associations with common stock
- Legal business name and state-issued ID number
- Principal office address
- Registered agent name and street address in North Carolina
- Names and addresses of officers, directors, managers, or partners (depending on entity type)
- Nature of business activities
- Number of authorized and issued shares (for corporations only)
Filing Deadlines for North
Carolina Business Entities
Entity Type
Filing Requirement
Business Corporations & Banks
15th day of the 4th month after fiscal year end
LLCs (including L3Cs)
April 15 each year
LLPs & LLLPs
15th day of the 4th month after fiscal year end
Professional Corporation
Before March 1 each year
North Carolina Annual
Report Fees and Costs
vary depending on the entity type and the method of filing (online or paper).
Entity Type
Online Filing Fee (includes e-filing fee)
Filing Opens
Business Corporations and Banks
$21.00 (includes $3.00 electronic filing fee for credit cards)
$25.00
LLCs (including L3C)
$203.00 (includes $3.00 electronic filing fee for credit cards)
$200.00
Partnerships (LLP and LLLP)
$203.00 (includes $3.00 electronic filing fee for credit cards)
$200.00
Cooperative Associations
Not available
$10.00
Step-by-Step North Carolina
Annual Report Process
(paper is required for Cooperative Associations).
Step 1
Go to the NC Secretary of State’s
business registration portal.
Step 3
Select “File Annual Report” from
your business profile.
Step 5
Pay the filing fee securely
online.
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Step 2
Search for your business by
name or ID number.
Step 4
Verify and update information
such as registered agent, office
address, and officers/managers.
Step 6
Submit and save your
confirmation receipt.
Step 1
Go to the NC Secretary of
State’s business registration
portal.
Step 2
Search for your business by
name or ID number.
Step 3
Select “File Annual Report” from your business profile.
Step 4
Verify and update information
such as registered agent, office address, and officers/managers.
Step 5
Pay the filing fee securely
online.
Step 6
Submit and save your
confirmation receipt.
Paper Filing (Cooperatives &
optional for others):
Step 1
Download the correct form from the
Secretary of State’s website
Step 3
Include a check or money order
for the correct fee.
Step 5
Retain a copy for your
records.
Step 2
Fill in all required details.
Step 4
Mail the form to the address
provided, using a trackable
service.
Step 1
Download the correct form from the Secretary of State’s website
Step 2
Fill in all required details.
Step 3
Include a check or money
order for the correct fee.
Step 4
Mail the form to the address provided, using a trackable
service.
Step 5
Retain a copy for your records.
- Business Corporations: Must report officers, directors, principal office, and registered agent. Deadline tied to fiscal year end.
- LLCs (including L3Cs): Must confirm management structure, members/managers, and addresses. Fixed April 15 deadline each year.
- LLPs & LLLPs: Must report partners, principal office, and registered agent. Deadline tied to fiscal year end.
- Cooperative Associations: Must file before March 1 each year, providing updated membership and governance information. Paper filing only.
- Loss of Good Standing: Businesses may lose access to certificates of good standing, required for loans, contracts, and expansion.
- Administrative Dissolution/Revocation: Entities can be dissolved or lose the right to operate in NC.
- Operational Restrictions: Non-compliant businesses cannot legally transact business in the state.
- Reinstatement Costs: To regain good standing, businesses must file all delinquent reports and pay reinstatement fees.
While the North Carolina Secretary of State provides clear guidelines and online tools, the nuances of compliance, varying deadlines, and specific entity requirements can still pose challenges. This is where professional filing services become invaluable.
- Monitoring deadlines and filing on time
- Accurately preparing reports to prevent rejection
- Offering registered agent services
- Providing compliance monitoring year over year
FAQ
filings in North Carolina, providing quick answers to frequently
encountered queries.
What is an annual report, and why is it required in North Carolina?
An annual report is a mandatory filing with the North Carolina Secretary of State that updates or confirms key information about a business entity. It is required to ensure the state has current records of active businesses, maintain transparency, and allow businesses to remain in good standing. It helps regulatory bodies monitor compliance and provides public access to essential business information.
Which business entities must file an annual report in North Carolina?
In North Carolina, Business Corporations, Limited Liability Companies (LLCs), Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs), Limited Liability Limited Partnerships (LLLPs), and Cooperative Associations (with common stock) are generally required to file annual reports. The specific requirements and deadlines can vary by entity type.
What information is typically required in a North Carolina annual report?
While the exact details can vary, common information requested includes the entity's name and identification number, principal office address, registered agent's name and address, and details about officers, directors, managers, or partners. It is crucial to refer to the specific form for your entity type on the North Carolina Secretary of State's website for precise requirements.
What are the filing deadlines for annual reports in North Carolina?
Deadlines vary by entity type:
• Business Corporations and Banks: 15th day of the 4th month following the entity’s fiscal year end.
• LLCs (including L3C): April 15th of each year after the year of creation.Partnerships
• (LLP and LLLP): 15th day of the 4th month following the entity’s fiscal year end.
• Cooperative Associations: Before the 1st day of March of each year.
How much does it cost to file an annual report in North Carolina?
The fees depend on the entity type and filing method (online vs. paper). For example, Business Corporations and Banks pay $21.00 online or $25.00 paper, while LLCs and Partnerships pay $203.00 online or $200.00 paper. Cooperative Associations pay $10.00 (paper only). Online filings may include an electronic filing fee for credit card payments.
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North Carolina Annual Report?
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