1. Does North Dakota Require an LLC Annual Report?
Yes. For most standard LLCs, North Dakota requires an annual report to be filed each year with the Secretary of State to keep your business in Good Standing. The annual report is a recurring state compliance filing (different from federal taxes) that keeps your public business record updated.
2. What North Dakota LLCs Must Do Each Year
North Dakota yearly compliance is usually straightforward. For most LLCs, the recurring checklist looks like this:
Annual compliance checklist
- File the North Dakota LLC annual report: keep the entity active and updated with the state
- Maintain a valid Registered Agent: ensure you can receive official notices and service of process
- Keep addresses updated: principal office/mailing/agent information should remain current
- Renew any local licenses (if applicable): depends on city, county, and business activity
- File federal taxes (IRS): depends on single-member vs partnership vs S-corp election
3. Where to File: ND FirstStop Portal
North Dakota annual reports are commonly filed online through the Secretary of State’s portal (often referred to as the FirstStop Portal). Online filing is faster, easier to track, and helps you keep a clean compliance history.
Why online filing is recommended
- Faster processing and immediate confirmation
- Easier to save proof for banks and vendor verification
- Reduces errors and keeps your record current
- Helps you avoid late fees by filing earlier
Tip: Be careful with third-party “annual report letters” that look official. Always verify you’re filing through the official state system or a trusted provider.
4. North Dakota LLC Due Date + First-Year Rule
For standard LLCs, the annual report is commonly due on November 15 each year. Also, the first annual report is typically due in the year following the calendar year in which the business was registered.
Common timeline (most LLCs)
- Annual report deadline: commonly November 15
- Fee: commonly $50 for LLC annual report
- First report: due the year after the calendar year you registered
What can change the experience?
- Late filing can trigger a late fee and “Not Good Standing” status
- Missing reports for an extended period can lead to involuntary termination
- Professional entities may have extra requirements (e.g., board notifications)
STAY COMPLIANT
Click the button below and our team will guide you through North Dakota’s annual report filing—fast and correctly.
Get Compliance Help5. What You’ll Need to File
The North Dakota LLC annual report is usually simple, but you should prepare your business details so you can file without errors.
What you should keep ready
- Legal LLC name (exact as registered)
- North Dakota entity ID / record reference (if available)
- Principal office and mailing address
- Registered agent name and North Dakota registered office address
- Manager/member details as required by the filing
Why founders use a compliance service
- Avoid missing the deadline and late fees
- Reduce errors and rejections
- Keep a clean compliance folder for banks and platforms
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|---|---|---|---|
| Built for non-US founders | ✅ Deep non-resident focus | ➖ Limited support | ➖ Generic templates |
| End-to-end compliance guidance | ✅ State + federal clarity | ➖ Partial | ➖ DIY-heavy |
| Transparent pricing | ✅ No surprise upsells | ⚠️ Hidden add-ons | ⚠️ Tiered upsells |
| Human support (WhatsApp / email) | ✅ Dedicated support | ➖ Ticket-based | ➖ Slow response |
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If you want to avoid surprises, file early, keep your registered agent active, and store proof of filing. “Not Good Standing” can create delays with banks, payment gateways, and vendor verification.
6. How to File the ND LLC Annual Report (Step-by-Step)
Step 1: Log in to the state system
Access the Secretary of State online portal (commonly FirstStop). If you don’t have access, create your login and locate your business record.
Step 2: Locate your LLC record
Search by your LLC name or entity ID. Confirm you have the correct record before submitting updates.
Step 3: Complete the annual report form
Review and update your business details as needed (addresses, registered agent details, and other fields required by the report).
Step 4: Pay the filing fee and save proof
Submit the report, pay the fee (commonly $50), and download/save your confirmation or receipt. Keep this in a “Compliance Folder” for banks, payment processors, and future verification.
Step 5: Set a reminder for next year
Put a recurring calendar reminder well before November 15 so you can file early and avoid late status changes.
7. Tips to Stay Compliant
- File before November 15 to avoid late issues
- Keep registered agent details accurate and active
- Save annual report confirmations/receipts every year
- Update addresses when they change (don’t wait for the annual report)
8. Fees, Late Filing, and Good Standing
- Annual report fee (LLC): commonly $50
- Late filing: annual reports received after the deadline can incur a late filing fee
- Not Good Standing: missing the annual report can place your business into Not Good Standing
- Involuntary termination risk: if the report remains past due long enough, the business may be involuntarily terminated
- Reinstatement window: you typically have a limited time window to reinstate by filing past-due reports
| Compliance Item | Typical Timing | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| North Dakota LLC Annual Report | Annually (commonly due November 15) | $50 |
| Registered Agent Renewal (if using a service) | Annually | $100–$300 |
| Federal Income Tax Return | Annually | Varies |
| Late Filing Fee | If filed after the deadline | Varies |
9. Federal Compliance That Still Matters
1. Federal tax return (IRS)
Your 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 IRS confirmation documents helps during compliance verification.
3. BOI updates (Corporate Transparency)
If your ownership or key information changes, you may need to update beneficial ownership information (where applicable). This is separate from North Dakota’s annual report, but it often comes up during annual reviews.
4. Other recurring federal obligations
- Payroll filings if the LLC has employees
- Information returns (such as 1099 forms) when required
- Clean bookkeeping for audits, banking, and compliance checks
10. Conclusion
The biggest takeaway: North Dakota LLCs typically must file an annual report each year to maintain good standing. For most standard LLCs, the deadline is commonly November 15 and the fee is commonly $50.
With FormLLC, you can stay compliant without stress—our team helps you follow the right schedule, file correctly, and keep your business in good standing.
11. Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. In most cases, North Dakota LLCs must file an annual report each year to maintain good standing with the state.
For standard LLCs, the annual report deadline is commonly November 15 each year. Also, new businesses typically file the first annual report in the year following the calendar year they were registered.
The standard annual report fee for domestic and foreign LLCs is commonly $50. If you file late, the state can charge a late filing fee.
North Dakota annual reports are commonly filed online through the Secretary of State portal (often called the FirstStop Portal).
Missing the annual report can place your LLC into Not Good Standing. If the report remains past due for an extended period, the business may be involuntarily terminated. File as soon as possible and keep proof.
Often, yes. The annual report is a state compliance requirement tied to your registration status, not only your income. Even inactive LLCs often must file to maintain good standing.
In many cases, yes. Professional LLCs (PLLCs) commonly follow the same annual report deadline as standard LLCs (often November 15), but professional entities may have additional licensing-board requirements depending on the profession.
