What’s This All About?
Pennsylvania used to only require businesses to check in every 10 years. Now they want to hear from you annually, just like most other states. Think of it as a yearly “wellness check” for your business.
This applies whether you’re a one-person LLC, a small family corporation, or anything in between. Size doesn’t matter—if you’re officially registered as a business in Pennsylvania, you’re likely affected.
The Details
LLC owners have until September 30th to file their annual report, but smart business owners don’t wait until the last minute. Corporation owners (including non-profits) have just until June 30th.
- Cost = $7 for for-profit businesses; free for nonprofit businesses
- Time = 5 minutes online
- Skip it? Risk losing your business name and legal protections
If you own a business in Pennsylvania, there’s no reason to put this off. This isn’t optional — it’s required by law, and the consequences of missing it are serious. Plus it doesn’t take long. Get started today at file.dos.pa.gov.
Why Should You Care?
Here’s the thing: if you don’t file this annual report, Pennsylvania can dissolve your business. That means:
- You lose the legal protections your business structure gives you
- Your business name becomes available for anyone else to snatch up
- You can’t get certificates proving your business is legitimate
Imagine building your company, only to have someone else legally claim your business name because you missed a simple filing. That’s a nightmare you can easily avoid.
Does This Apply to Your Business?
You need to file if you have:
- An LLC (Limited Liability Company)
- A corporation (S-corp, C-corp, or nonprofit)
- A limited partnership
- A professional association
- A business trust
- Any of the above registered in another state but doing business in Pennsylvania
You’re off the hook if you only have:
- A sole proprietorship
- A general partnership (without limited liability)
- Just a fictitious name registration
What Information Do You Need?
Nothing you don’t already know about your business:
- Your business name
- Where it was formed (probably Pennsylvania)
- Your registered business address
- Your main business address (can be the same address)
- Name of at least one owner/director/manager
- Officer names and titles (if you have them)
- Your Pennsylvania business number (this is automatically filled in when you file online)
The Smart Way to File: Go Online
- Go to file.dos.pa.gov
- Search for your business name
- Click the “Annual Report” button (no special access needed)
- Review and update your info
- Pay the $7 fee on a credit card
- Download your confirmation immediately
What If You Forget?
Don’t panic. Pennsylvania is giving businesses a grace period. They won’t start dissolving businesses for missed reports until 2027.
But if you do get dissolved later:
- Pennsylvania businesses: You can get reinstated for $35 plus $15 for each missed report
- Out-of-state businesses: You have to start over completely with a new registration
The Bigger Picture
This annual filing isn’t just bureaucratic busy work. It’s actually a smart business practice that successful companies do anyway:
- Keeps your legal protections intact
- Maintains your exclusive right to your business name
- Forces you to review your business details annually
- Shows customers and partners you’re a legitimate, compliant business
Think of it as an annual health check for your business—quick, inexpensive, and essential for long-term success.
Take Action Today
Corporation owners: The clock is literally ticking. Don’t be the business owner who loses their company name because they waited until the last minute. Due date is June 30th.
LLC owners: You have plenty of time, but there’s something satisfying about crossing this off your list early, isn’t there? Due date is September 30th.