North Carolina LLC Annual Report: Requirements, Due Dates & Filing

1. Does North Carolina Require an LLC Annual Report?

Yes. In North Carolina, most domestic LLCs (and many foreign LLCs registered to do business in NC) must file an Annual Report with the NC Secretary of State each year. This report keeps the state records up to date and helps your business remain in good standing.

2. What North Carolina LLCs Must File Each Year

North Carolina yearly compliance usually comes down to a simple checklist. The exact requirements depend on your business activity, but most LLCs should plan for these recurring items:

Annual compliance checklist

1. NC LLC Annual Report: a recurring annual report filed with the NC Secretary of State
2. Registered Agent upkeep: keep a valid agent and address so you don’t miss official notices
3. Federal tax return (IRS): depends on SMLLC vs partnership vs S-corp election
4. State taxes (if applicable): depends on your tax situation and business activity
5. Bookkeeping + records: maintain clean records to avoid issues with banks, payments, and audits

3. NC Annual Report Basics: Due Date, Fee, and What It Covers

The North Carolina Annual Report is your main recurring filing with the Secretary of State. It is designed to keep your LLC’s key details current, such as principal office information and management/officials (as applicable).

What the Annual Report typically covers

1. Confirms your LLC is active and updates important business information
2. Supports your LLC’s good standing status with the state
3. Helps reduce verification problems with banks and payment processors
4. Creates a clear compliance history for contracts and vendor onboarding
5. Acts as your primary yearly Secretary of State filing

If you only remember one thing: North Carolina LLCs must file an Annual Report every year and the standard deadline is April 15.

4. North Carolina LLC Due Dates (Common Scenarios)

In North Carolina, the annual report deadline is commonly the same for most LLCs: on or before April 15. The first annual report is due on April 15 of the year following the LLC’s creation year.

5. Where to File + What You’ll Need

North Carolina annual reports are filed with the NC Secretary of State . You can typically file electronically , or you can download a pre-populated annual report online and mail it.

What you should keep ready

1. Legal LLC name and NC Secretary of State ID (Entity Number)
2. Principal office address and mailing address
3. Registered agent name and registered office address
4. Company officials/management details (as required in the annual report form)
5. A valid payment method for the filing fee

Why founders use a compliance service

1. Avoid missed deadlines and “bad standing” surprises
2. Reduce errors that can cause delays or rejections
3. Keep clean records for banking and payment processors

6. How to File the NC LLC Annual Report (Step-by-Step)

Step 1: Confirm your due date (April 15)

Most North Carolina LLC annual reports are due on or before April 15. If you formed your LLC this year, your first report is usually due April 15 of next year.

Step 2: Gather the information required

Prepare your LLC details (entity number, principal office address, registered agent info, and management/official details as required). Having this ready reduces errors and delays.

Step 3: File online (recommended) or mail a pre-populated report

You can file electronically with the NC Secretary of State. Alternatively, you may download a pre-populated annual report online and mail it to the address listed on the report.

Important: Keep copies of what you submit and your payment/receipt confirmation for your records.

Step 4: Pay the filing fee and save proof

The annual report fee for a North Carolina LLC is $200. Save the receipt/confirmation for banking and compliance history.

Step 5: Verify your status after filing

After filing, confirm your annual report shows as filed in your state record (or keep the confirmation email/receipt for proof). This helps during bank re-verifications and vendor onboarding.

7. Tips to Stay Compliant

• Set a yearly reminder for April 15 (and file early)
• Keep your registered agent and principal office information updated
• Save filing confirmations and receipts in one place
• Don’t assume “no income” means “no annual report”

8. Fees, Penalties & Good Standing

• Annual Report filing fee: $200
• Late/non-filing risk: can lead to compliance problems and may become grounds for administrative dissolution
• Good standing impact: affects banking, payment platforms, and vendor onboarding
• Registered Agent upkeep: keep agent/address current to avoid missed notices

9. Federal Compliance That Impacts NC LLCs

1. Federal tax return (IRS)

Your LLC’s federal tax 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, hire employees, and work with payment processors. Keeping EIN-related records and IRS confirmations helps with compliance documentation.

3. BOI updates (Corporate Transparency)

If your ownership or key information changes, you may need to update federal beneficial ownership information (where applicable). This is separate from the NC annual report but often comes up during yearly reviews.

4. Other recurring federal obligations

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

10. Conclusion

The biggest takeaway: North Carolina LLCs typically must file an Annual Report every year with the NC Secretary of State. For most LLCs, the deadline is April 15 and the fee is $200.

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