Uncover the significance of an annual report for your Pennsylvania business — a critical obligation that helps ensure continued compliance for your business. Explore our guide below to navigate this essential process.
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If you operate a business in Pennsylvania, staying compliant with state regulations includes filing a Pennsylvania annual report. Beginning in 2025, the state now requires businesses to submit an annual report instead of the previous decennial report requirement. This new annual report requirement, introduced by Act 122 of 2022, helps ensure that business records stay updated and that your entity maintains good standing with the state.
Filing an annual report is simpler than registering a business in Pennsylvania, but missing the deadline can result in penalties, including dissolution of the business or the loss of your business’s name rights. This guide explains the Pennsylvania annual report, how to file it, and why it’s essential for your business.
Starting January 1, 2025, the Pennsylvania Department of State has implemented new annual reporting requirements for both domestic and foreign business entities. This change replaces the previous decennial report requirement, aiming to enhance business compliance and transparency.
The annual report mandates that businesses provide essential information such as the business name, jurisdiction of formation, registered office address, and entity number. Notably, financial information is not required. The details submitted must be current as of the filing date, and the report will be publicly accessible on the Department of State’s website. This helps ensure that the state maintains accurate and up-to-date records for all registered entities.
The Pennsylvania annual report is a required filing that keeps your business information updated with the Pennsylvania Department of State (DOS). It ensures that the state has current details about your business, including its registered office address and registered agent.
Previously, Pennsylvania required businesses to file a decennial report every 10 years. However, under the new law taking effect in 2025, businesses must now file annually. This change helps the state maintain more accurate business records.
All domestic and foreign LLCs, corporations, nonprofits, limited partnerships, and business trusts registered in Pennsylvania must submit an annual report. Failure to comply with this annual reporting requirement can result in severe consequences, including administrative dissolution or loss of name rights.
The annual report filing requirement applies to a wide range of entities operating in Pennsylvania. These include:
Each of these entities must file an annual report to stay compliant with state regulations and maintain their good standing.
You can file your annual report online. Visit the Pennsylvania Department of State’s online filing portal. If you don’t already have an account, you need to create one.
The Department of State has step-by-step instructions with screen shots at How to File an Annual Report (PDF).
For additional assistance, you can contact the Bureau of Corporations and Charitable Organizations at (717) 787-1057.
Each entity has a specific deadline to file annual reports based on its business type. Missing these deadlines can result in administrative dissolution and the loss of exclusive rights to the business name:
Businesses can file their reports anytime before the due date.
The filing fee is $7 for business corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), limited partnerships (LPs), and limited liability general partnerships (LLPs). Nonprofit corporations and any LPs or LLCs with a not-for-profit purpose don’t pay a filing fee.
If you’re paying by check, ensure it is pre-printed with your business name and made payable to “Pennsylvania Department of State.”
All Pennsylvania businesses filing an annual report must provide the following details:
By submitting the annual report, the business confirms that it remains active and complies with Pennsylvania’s reporting requirements.
Filing your annual report can be straightforward if you follow these tips:
By adhering to these tips, you can ensure a hassle-free filing process and maintain your business’s good standing.
Avoiding common mistakes can save your business from unnecessary complications:
By being mindful of these potential pitfalls, you can ensure a smooth and successful annual report filing process, keeping your business compliant and in good standing.
Once your PA annual report is filed and accepted by the state, your business remains in good standing. The report is also made available to the public through the Department of State’s business entity search database.
Businesses that file on time maintain their exclusive rights to their entity name and other legal protections.
If you miss the deadline to file your Pennsylvania annual report, your business will receive a delinquent status. After a certain period, the Pennsylvania Department of State may revoke your entity’s registration or place it in inactive status. For foreign entities, this means they must submit a new Foreign Registration Statement if their registration is terminated due to non-compliance.
To prevent these issues, businesses should set reminders to file before their specific deadline.
You can visit the Pennsylvania Department of State’s official annual report page for guidance. If you need further assistance, contact the Bureau of Corporations and Charitable Organizations at:
This guide reflects Pennsylvania’s updated annual report requirements for 2025. Filing on time ensures your business stays compliant and avoids unnecessary penalties.
It costs $7 to file the Pennsylvania annual report. This fee applies to Pennsylvania LLCs, corporations, LPs, LLPs, and business trusts.
If your business fails to file on time, it will become delinquent. Continued failure to file may result in the loss of exclusive use of your business name or administrative dissolution by the state.
If a business does not file an annual report, Pennsylvania may revoke its registration, meaning it loses its ability to legally operate in the state. The business may also lose its name rights, allowing another entity to register under the same name.
Yes, you can update your registered office address in the annual report, which must also disclose the names and titles of the principal officers. For other changes, you may need to file Articles of Amendment (for corporations) or a Certificate of Amendment (for LLCs).
If your business has closed and you no longer claim exclusive use of the entity name, you can file Articles of Dissolution (for corporations) or a Certificate of Termination (for LLCs).
No. Business income taxes are filed separately with the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue, not the Department of State.
You can reach the Pennsylvania Bureau of Corporations and Charitable Organizations at (717) 787-1057 or email RA-CORPS@pa.gov for assistance.
This is the number issued by the Pennsylvania Department of State when you formed your business. It is distinct from your company’s federal employer ID number (FEIN), which is issued by the IRS. If you don’t know your business entity ID, you can find it by searching for your company on the Department of State website.
Disclaimer: The content on this page is for information purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or accounting advice. If you have specific questions about any of these topics, seek the counsel of a licensed professional.
Written by Team ZenBusiness
ZenBusiness has helped people start, run, and grow over 800,000 dream companies. The editorial team at ZenBusiness has over 20 years of collective small business publishing experience and is composed of business formation experts who are dedicated to empowering and educating entrepreneurs about owning a company.
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