An annual report is a document that updates the state on basic information about an LLC or a corporation.
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Last Updated: December 8, 2025
The definition of an annual report is a business document filed with the state that gives a short summary of the business’s structure. The annual report usually includes information about the company’s name, address, business owners, operators, and registered agent.
Although a business can’t avoid the requirement for filing an annual report, there are several benefits to filing that may encourage business owners to do it sooner. An up-to-date annual report helps the company keep its contact information in one place (this even helps those who interact with the company). It also helps keep the state up-to-date about the business’s registered agent information for service of process or forwarding of official documents.
The earlier the business files, the less likely it is to miss its state’s filing deadline and subject the business to unnecessary fees and costs. Additionally, most states require an updated annual report on file for a company to remain in good standing. A timely filed annual report signals that the company is still running and it’s not at risk of dissolution. That knowledge is helpful to customers, companies that might partner with the company, and more.
Each state has different requirements for filing an annual report. However, most states throughout the country require registered companies to file an annual report every year that the business is operational. Other states require that a business file a biennial report every other year. There are usually large penalty fees assessed for failing to file an annual report with the appropriate state department. At worst, a business may be entirely dissolved for failure to file an annual report.
Business owners should check their state’s official state filing website to learn more about their state’s filing requirements, including whether the report is an annual or biannual requirement, the filing fee, and more.
In a few contexts, a business may not need to file an annual report. For example, Alabama doesn’t require corporations to file an annual report; South Carolina doesn’t require LLCs to file an annual report. That said, these scenarios are exceptions, not the norm. Most business owners will find that their state has some requirement for annual filing.
To learn more, read ZenBusiness’s guide on how to file annual report for LLC.
The annual report definition may be self-explanatory if that’s the name the state uses. However, not all states use the title “Annual Report.” Some use different titles, including:
These names are more uncommon and very state-specific. However, they can be used interchangeably to describe forms that are very similar to each other.
The definition of an annual report is a document that provides an updated summary of a company’s information to the state. Each state filing agency’s website can verify a business’s yearly filing requirements.
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Keeping up with the documentation for a business can get overwhelming; missed deadlines can cost a business hundreds of dollars in fees. That’s why ZenBusiness offers an Annual Report Service to their clients.
This service helps business owners file their annual report so they can avoid costly errors and penalties from the state. ZenBusiness also provides a Worry-Free Compliance program that helps companies stay up-to-date on all their state’s filing requirements (not just the annual report). For business owners who want to succeed, ZenBusiness is the perfect partner.
Disclaimer: The content on this page is for information purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or accounting advice. For specific questions about any of these topics, seek the counsel of a licensed professional.
Written by ZenBusiness Editorial Team
The ZenBusiness Editorial Team has more than 20 years of combined small business publishing experience and has helped over 850,000 entrepreneurs launch and grow their companies. The team’s writers and business formation experts are dedicated to providing accurate, practical, and trustworthy guidance so business owners can make confident decisions.
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