Registered agents sometimes assist with annual report filings, but their role depends on state rules, business authorization, and access to filing portals. Clear communication, accurate information, and reliable deadline tracking help ensure timely submissions, especially for companies operating in multiple states with varying reporting requirements.
Last Updated: December 18, 2025
Annual report filing is an essential part of a business’s yearly compliance cycle. Many states require registered business entities, such as limited liability companies, nonprofit corporations, and business corporations, to submit an annual report or a similar update. These filings help maintain accurate public records and support the business’s good standing with the state.
But can a registered agent file a company’s annual report? In some states and under the right conditions, a registered agent may submit the report on behalf of the business. This arrangement can be helpful from a logistical standpoint. Understanding how this process works can clarify when a registered agent plays a role in annual report filing and why the filing itself matters.
Annual reports are standard across the United States, although rules vary by state. In states that require them, annual reports allow the state to update or confirm information on file for a business entity. These filings often request details such as the business address, the registered agent’s name and address, and other key information. Some states require annual reports, while others require filings every two years or on another schedule.
A few states do not require an annual report at all, or they apply the requirement only to certain business types. Ohio, for example, does not require annual reports for most entities, though professional associations and limited liability partnerships must file a biennial report. In South Carolina, corporations file annual reports, but LLCs do not. In Nevada, the annual filing consists of an Annual List of managers or members submitted with the business license renewal.
Note: Here, “annual report” refers to a state-level informational filing submitted to the Secretary of State or a similar office. It is different from a corporation’s shareholder annual report, which focuses on financial performance.
A registered agent’s primary responsibility is to accept service of process and other legal documents on behalf of the company. In many states, the registered agent also receives annual report reminders from the filing office and forwards them to the business. This helps ensure the entity stays aware of important deadlines.
For some registered agents, that’s the end of their interaction with the annual report. Others may assist further by filing the annual report, depending on state rules and the business’s authorization. In certain states, a registered agent can file the report on the company’s behalf once access is granted or when they are designated as an authorized signer.
It’s important to note that annual report filing is not a statutory duty for registered agents. They are not automatically responsible for submitting the report. Even when a business hires a professional registered agent service, annual report filing may not be included in the base service. Some providers offer filing assistance as an add-on, others include it in premium packages, and some do not offer it at all.
Annual report requirements vary widely by state. Many states require yearly filings, while others use a biennial schedule, such as Alaska and New York. Some states set a universal due date for all businesses, while others base deadlines on each company’s formation anniversary.
Delaware, for example, links its annual report to the state franchise tax, which must be filed before March 1. Delaware also requires online submission. Texas also pairs its annual report with a franchise tax filing, which has a due date of May 15.
Filing fees differ significantly across the country. Kentucky charges $15 for its annual report, while Tennessee LLCs pay between $300 and $3,000, depending on the number of members. Filing procedures also vary. Colorado and Idaho require online filing, and California requires entities to submit their Statement of Information online. In states such as Texas and Delaware, annual reports are filed with the tax department rather than the Secretary of State.
Because fees, filing methods, and deadlines vary significantly, multi-state businesses often face complex reporting schedules.
In some states, a registered agent may file the annual report on behalf of the business, but only if state rules allow it and the business grants the necessary authorization. Procedures differ, so confirming local requirements is essential.
In Idaho, for example, the person filing must have ownership access within the SOSBiz portal. If a registered agent is filing the report, the business must grant the agent access before they can submit the filing. California follows a similar approach; a registered agent can file a Statement of Information with a BizFile Online account, and the business must approve access through an email request.
Nevada requires the Annual or Amended List and State Business License Application to be signed by an owner, manager, or authorized signer. If a registered agent will file the document, the business must designate the agent as an authorized signer.
Because each state uses its own system, businesses benefit from reviewing state procedures before relying on a registered agent to submit the annual report.
Annual report errors are common and can lead to rejected filings or missed notices. Incorrect or incomplete registered agent information is a frequent issue, and it can prevent the state or process servers from delivering important documents. Leaving the registered agent section blank also results in a rejected report.
Missing signatures or authorizations can create additional problems. Some states require the report to be signed by a specific individual, such as a member, director, or manager. Reports submitted without that required authorization are typically rejected.
Another challenge is keeping track of due dates. States use different systems—some assign a fixed date, others provide a filing window, and others base deadlines on the entity’s formation anniversary. Multi-state businesses may find it difficult to manage several overlapping deadlines, and missing one can result in late fees.
Registered agent services often help track due dates, although some providers charge extra to file the report itself. Reviewing what a service includes can help prevent misunderstandings.
Missing an annual report deadline can trigger a range of penalties. Late fees are often the first consequence. Florida, for example, charges a $400 late fee for corporations, LLCs, LPs, and LLPs that miss the May 1 deadline. In contrast, Colorado charges a $50 late fee.
More serious consequences may follow. Businesses that don’t file may lose their good standing or face administrative dissolution, depending on state rules. In Minnesota, the Secretary of State automatically terminates an LLC that does not file its annual renewal by December 31. In Florida, corporations and LLCs that miss their deadline are administratively dissolved after the third Friday in September.
Reinstatement is often possible, but it may require filing all missing reports, paying any applicable penalties and interest, and submitting a reinstatement application. In some states, prolonged dissolution may also affect the business’s name. For example, in Florida, an LLC that has been dissolved for more than one year loses its exclusive rights to its business name.
Filing annual reports on time — whether handled by the business or its registered agent — helps avoid these costly and time-consuming issues.
An annual report is straightforward, but it remains an important part of business compliance. Registered agents and business owners can coordinate their efforts to help ensure the report is filed on time each year.
In many states, the registered agent receives a reminder when the report becomes due. A consistent communication process between the agent and the business helps ensure these reminders reach the appropriate contact quickly. When a registered agent is authorized to submit the filing, a reliable channel also helps with confirming contact information, obtaining required signatures, and completing other steps in the process.
Businesses operating in multiple states may work with either separate registered agents in each jurisdiction or a single national registered agent service. A single service can streamline communication, reduce administrative complexity, and maintain a unified system for tracking deadlines. These services often monitor annual report due dates and, in some cases, submit the filings for an additional fee. For many businesses, the organizational benefits may outweigh the annual cost of a professional registered agent service, which is commonly between $100 and $300 per state.
Filing an annual report is one of the most consistent and important steps in maintaining a company’s good standing. Whether the filing is completed by the business or by its registered agent, accuracy and timely submission are essential. State rules differ, so businesses benefit from understanding local procedures or relying on professional support when needed.
Professional registered agent services can help simplify this process for many businesses by tracking deadlines and, in some cases, assisting with the filing itself. Regardless of the approach, what matters most is maintaining compliance with state reporting requirements.
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.