Once your LLC exists, most states want something from you every year — usually a short annual report and a small fee. Here’s exactly what each state expects, and what happens if you forget.
It’s mostly a check-in to confirm the state’s records are still current.
An annual (or biennial) report is a short form your LLC files with the state to confirm a handful of facts: current registered agent, principal office address, names of members or managers, and occasionally a brief purpose statement. In most states it’s a one-page online form that takes five minutes. You’re not disclosing finances, revenue, or customers. The state just wants to keep its public database accurate.
The fee varies dramatically. A few states charge $0. Most charge $20–$80. A handful charge $200–$500. California layers on an $800/year franchise tax — technically separate from the annual report, but it shows up on the same mental line item. Delaware and Nevada also have pricier ongoing costs that trip people up.
Nothing immediately. But the consequences escalate fast if you keep ignoring it.
The good news: we email every customer a reminder 30 days and 7 days before their annual report is due. The reminder is free and we don’t charge for it — we just don’t want you to lose your LLC over a calendar mistake.
Fees, frequencies, and typical deadlines for all 50 states. Click any row to open the full state-specific compliance section.
Almost every state does it online.
The whole process takes 5–10 minutes in most states. There’s no reason to pay a third-party service $99/year to do this for you — unless you genuinely hate paperwork enough that it’s worth the premium, and that’s a legitimate call to make.
A few states tack on requirements beyond the basic annual report. Know these if you’re filing in any of them.
Every California LLC pays the Franchise Tax Board $800/year minimum, regardless of revenue. This is separate from the $20 biennial Statement of Information.
California compliance →Delaware LLCs owe a flat $300 to the Division of Corporations every June 1. No annual report required — just the franchise tax.
Delaware compliance →$150 Annual List of Managers/Members plus a $200 State Business License. Both are required to keep the LLC active.
Nevada compliance →Biennial Statement is cheap ($9), but NY also has a one-time newspaper publication requirement at formation. Plan for that separately.
New York compliance →Effective July 2025, Tennessee charges a flat $300 annual report fee regardless of member count — up from the old per-member calculation.
Tennessee compliance →No annual-report fee, but every Texas LLC files an annual Franchise Tax Report with the Comptroller. No tax is owed under ~$2.47M revenue — but the filing itself is mandatory.
Texas compliance →Flat $49, plus whatever your state charges. No upsells, no surprises.