Iowa LLC Biennial Report: Requirements, Due Dates & Filing

1. Does Iowa Require an Annual Report?

For Iowa LLCs, the recurring state filing is generally a biennial report (every two years), not a yearly “annual report.” This report keeps your public business record updated with the Iowa Secretary of State — things like your principal office address and registered agent/office details.

2. What Iowa LLCs Must File (Biennial + Other)

Iowa compliance is not just one form. Most LLCs should plan for these recurring items:

Recurring compliance checklist

1. Iowa Biennial Report: the main recurring Secretary of State filing (every two years)
2. Registered Agent continuity: keep a valid registered agent and registered office address
3. State tax obligations (if applicable): depends on your activity and tax registrations
4. Federal tax return (IRS): depends on SMLLC vs partnership vs S-corp election
5. Bookkeeping + records: keep clean records for banking, audits, and payment processors

3. Iowa Biennial Report Schedule (Odd Years)

Iowa’s Secretary of State publishes a clear schedule: LLCs file in odd-numbered years, and the filing period opens January 1 with a due date of April 1.

Quick schedule summary

1. LLCs: Odd-numbered years
2. Filing window: January 1 → April 1
3. Recommended method: Online filing via Fast Track Filing

If you only remember one thing: Iowa LLCs file the Biennial Report in odd-numbered years — and it’s due by April 1.

4. Fees + Filing Options (Online vs Paper)

Iowa’s Secretary of State lists different fees depending on your filing method. Most founders file online because it’s cheaper and faster.

5. Where to File + What You’ll Need

Iowa biennial reports are filed through the Iowa Secretary of State system, commonly called Fast Track Filing . Before you start, keep your business details ready so your filing is smooth.

What you should keep ready

1. Legal LLC name and Iowa business number (entity ID)
2. Principal office address
3. Registered agent and registered office details
4. Management/authorized signer details (as required by the form)
5. A payment method for the filing fee (if filing online)

Why founders use a compliance service

1. Avoid missed deadlines (odd-year schedule is easy to forget)
2. Reduce filing errors (wrong addresses/agent info can cause issues)
3. Keep records ready for banks and payment processors

6. How to File in Fast Track Filing (Step-by-Step)

Step 1: Log in (recommended) and open Business Filings

For the smoothest experience, create/log in to your Fast Track Filing account . Then open Business Filings and choose File a Document.

Step 2: Choose “Biennial Report” under Existing Entities

In the “Existing Entities” section, select Biennial Report and search your entity by business name or business number.

Step 3: Complete the form (update details if needed)

Some info may be prefilled (business name, registered agent, registered office). Update what’s required and confirm everything is correct before submitting.

Step 4: Electronically sign and review

Electronically sign using your full legal name, then review your filing carefully for errors.

Step 5: Pay and submit

Proceed to payment, then submit the filing. Save proof of filing (confirmation / receipt / copies) for your compliance folder.

7. Tips to Stay Compliant

• Set a recurring reminder for odd-numbered years (Iowa LLC biennial report)
• File early in the window (January/February) to avoid last-minute issues
• Keep registered agent + registered office details accurate
• Save proof of filing (receipt/confirmation) for banking and vendors

8. Good Standing + What Happens If You Miss

Staying in good standing is not just “paperwork.” It affects banking, payment processors, and your ability to sign contracts. If you miss required filings, your entity can become noncompliant and may be at risk of administrative action.

• Online filing fee: $30 (LLC biennial report)
• Paper filing fee: $45 (LLC biennial report)
• Good standing impact: compliance flags can cause bank/payment holds or re-verification requests

9. Federal Compliance That Often Comes Up

1. Federal tax return (IRS)

Your federal filing depends on classification: single-member LLCs often report on the owner’s return, partnerships file an informational return, and S-corp elections follow S-corp filing rules.

2. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

Many LLCs use an EIN to open bank accounts and work with payment processors. Keeping your IRS EIN confirmation is useful for compliance documentation.

3. BOI updates (Corporate Transparency)

If ownership or key information changes, you may need to update federal beneficial ownership information . This is separate from Iowa’s biennial report but often gets handled during a compliance review.

4. Other recurring federal obligations

• Payroll tax filings if the LLC has employees
• Information returns (such as 1099 forms) when required
• Clean bookkeeping for audits, banking, and compliance reviews

10. Conclusion

The biggest takeaway: Iowa LLCs typically don’t file a yearly annual report — they file a Biennial Report in odd-numbered years, during the window January 1 to April 1.

With FormLLC, you can stay compliant without confusion—our team helps you follow the right schedule, file correctly, and keep your business in good standing.