Effective in 2025, the Pennsylvania Department of State (PA DOS) has implemented a new annual reporting requirement for most domestic and foreign business entities registered to do business in Pennsylvania. This change signifies a significant shift from the previous 10-year reporting system, aligning Pennsylvania with the majority of states that mandate annual filings for business entities.
This new Pennsylvania requirement applies to all entities, both for-profit and non-profit, registered with the PA DOS’ business division and includes corporations, LLCs and limited partnerships. Trusts other than registered business trusts are not required to file.
The annual report generally requires basic information such as the entity’s name, registered office address, principal office address and the names of key officers or governing members.
The report is associated with a $7 filing fee, which the PA DOS recommends being filed and paid via its website.
Report deadlines vary depending on the entity type. For example, corporations have until June 30 to file, LLCs have until Sept. 30, and all other entities have until Dec. 31. In the next several weeks and months, the PA DOS will be mailing out postcard reminders to the addresses that it has on file for those entities that are required to file a report. Since the PA DOS’ records for your business entity may be incorrect, it is advisable to check with the PA DOS to ensure the correct address/information is on file for your entity. You can search for your entity here: PA Department of State Entity Search.
Failure to file the annual report may result in severe consequences, including the administrative dissolution of the business entity and/or loss of the right to use the business’ name in the Commonwealth.
According to the PA DOS, filing the annual report online is strongly recommended. The online annual report form will populate with the company details currently on file, preventing costly mistakes and delays. Filing and paying online will ensure all the relevant form questions are answered and the form is received and processed in a timely manner. In addition, annual reports submitted online will be automatically approved. Online filers see statuses in real time and can access the approved Annual Report within minutes.
Below are instructions from the PA DOS website on how to file the annual report online.
- Register an account for Business Filing Services (BFS) if you are a new user (Customer Portal Overview).
- Login at file.dos.pa.gov and search for your company name under “Business Search.”
- Click on the icon for the annual report. No PIN access is required to file an annual report.
- Complete the annual report form online and pay by credit card.
- The form and acknowledgment letter will be available for immediate download after processing the annual report. You also will receive an email with instructions on how to log into the BFS portal to retrieve your filed document under “My Work Queue.”
Further help, with step-by-step instructions and screenshots, can be found at How to File an Annual Report (PDF).
Finally, the following information from the PA DOS Business Division may also prove helpful:
Pennsylvania Department of State’s Business Entity Website
Annual Reports in Pennsylvania
Because annual reports and other filings necessary to maintain an entity’s charter or right to transact business are legal services that CBIZ cannot provide, we encourage you to contact your legal representative to assist with preparing Pennsylvania’s new annual reporting requirement.
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