1. Does Ohio Require an LLC Biennial Report?
For most founders, the answer is simple: standard Ohio LLCs generally do not have a recurring biennial report like many other states. That’s why people search “Ohio annual report” or “Ohio biennial report” and don’t find an obvious LLC filing.
2. Who Actually Files in Ohio (Form 520)
In Ohio, the filing commonly referred to as a “Biennial Report” is often tied to:
Entities commonly associated with Ohio “Biennial Report” rules
- Professional Associations: file in even-numbered years (short window after June 30)
- Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs): file in odd-numbered years (April 1 to July 1 window)
3. Due Dates: Even-Year vs Odd-Year Rules
Ohio’s schedule depends on the entity type. This is the most common reason founders miss it: they assume “every year”, but Ohio uses even-year vs odd-year rules for different entities.
Professional Associations (Even-numbered years)
- File a biennial report in each even-numbered year
- Common rule: file within 30 days after June 30 (often shown as “by July 30”)
- Use the correct reporting year when filing
Limited Liability Partnerships (Odd-numbered years)
- File a biennial report in each odd-numbered year
- File during the window: April 1 to July 1
- If foreign LLP registered in Ohio, include formation jurisdiction
If you only remember one thing: most Ohio LLCs don’t file a biennial report. Ohio’s biennial report rules typically apply to Professional Associations (even years) and LLPs (odd years).
4. Fees + Expedited Options (Simple View)
A common baseline filing fee referenced in Ohio law for a biennial report or biennial statement is $25, as outlined in the Ohio Revised Code .
STAY COMPLIANT
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Get Compliance Help5. Where to File + What You’ll Need
If you are an entity that must file the Ohio biennial report (for example, a Professional Association or LLP), filings are handled through the Ohio Secretary of State Business Services , and you should prepare the following before you start:
What you should keep ready
- Exact legal entity name and Ohio charter/registration number
- Principal office address
- Statutory agent / authorized signer details (as applicable)
- Correct reporting year (even-year vs odd-year rule)
- Payment method for filing fee (and any expedited fee if selected)
Why founders use a compliance service
- Avoid filing the wrong thing (common in Ohio because most LLCs don’t have a report)
- Reduce rejections due to incorrect entity type or missing data
- Keep clean records for banking and payment processors
| Feature | FormLLC | Provider A | Provider B |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
*Sample stats for illustration. Add your real numbers and link to verified reviews.
Ohio confusion is common because “annual report” is a popular phrase, but Ohio’s recurring reporting rules vary by entity type. The safest approach is to confirm your structure (standard LLC vs LLP vs professional association), then follow the correct schedule.
6. How to File (Step-by-Step)
Step 1: Confirm your entity type (this is the critical step in Ohio)
Before doing anything, confirm if you are a standard Ohio LLC or a different entity type (like an LLP). This prevents unnecessary filings and incorrect submissions.
Step 2: Identify the correct reporting cycle
Professional Associations typically follow an even-year rule (short window after June 30), while LLPs commonly follow an odd-year rule (April 1 to July 1 window).
Step 3: Prepare your details
Have your entity name, Ohio charter/registration number, principal office details, and authorized signer ready. Many rejections happen because of mismatched names or missing charter numbers.
Step 4: File and keep proof
Submit the filing through the accepted method (online or by mail for your entity type), pay the fee, and save the confirmation. Keep it in a “Compliance Folder” for banks, payment processors, and future audits.
7. Tips to Stay Compliant
- Confirm your Ohio entity type (LLC vs LLP vs professional association) before filing anything
- Track the correct cycle: even-year vs odd-year reporting windows
- Keep your statutory agent / registered agent information active and updated
- Maintain accurate records and store proof of filing and payment
8. Penalties, Good Standing & Fixing Mistakes
- Biennial report fee (commonly referenced): $25
- No “standard LLC annual report”: many founders file the wrong thing due to assumptions
- Good standing impact: compliance flags can affect banking, payment platforms, and vendor onboarding
- Fixing issues: if you missed a required report (for an entity that must file), file as soon as possible and keep proof
| Compliance Item | Typical Timing | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Biennial Report (Professional Association) | Even-numbered years (within 30 days after June 30) | $25* |
| Biennial Report (LLP) | Odd-numbered years (Apr 1 – Jul 1 window) | $25* |
| Standard Ohio LLC “Annual/Biennial Report” | Generally not required | $0 |
*Fees can change; always verify current fees at the time you file.
9. Federal Compliance That Still Matters
1. Federal tax return (IRS)
Even if Ohio doesn’t require a standard LLC annual or biennial report, federal filing still matters under IRS LLC tax classification rules . Your federal filing depends on classification: single-member LLCs, partnerships, and S-corp elections all differ.
2. EIN (Employer Identification Number)
Most LLCs use an EIN for banking and payment processors. Keep your EIN confirmation and IRS letters saved.
3. BOI updates (Corporate Transparency)
If ownership or key information changes, you may need to update beneficial ownership information (where applicable). This is separate from Ohio filing rules but commonly comes up during annual reviews.
4. Other recurring federal obligations
- Payroll filings if you have employees
- Information returns (like 1099s) when required
- Clean bookkeeping for audits, banking, and compliance reviews
10. Conclusion
The biggest takeaway: most standard Ohio LLCs generally do not file a biennial report. Ohio’s “biennial report” rules typically apply to specific entity types like Professional Associations and LLPs.
With FormLLC, you can stay compliant without confusion—our team helps you confirm the right obligations, follow the right schedule, and keep your business in good standing.
11. Frequently Asked Questions
In most cases, standard Ohio LLCs do not file a recurring biennial report like many other states. Ohio’s “Biennial Report” rules are commonly associated with specific entity types like Professional Associations and LLPs.
Form 520 is commonly used as the Ohio “Biennial Report” for certain entity types (like Professional Associations and LLPs). Most standard LLCs do not use Form 520 as a recurring filing.
It depends on entity type. Professional Associations commonly file in even-numbered years within 30 days after June 30. LLPs commonly file between April 1 and July 1 of odd-numbered years.
A commonly referenced fee in Ohio law for a biennial report/biennial statement is $25. Always confirm current fees at the time of filing.
Even with no income, many businesses still have ongoing compliance like taxes, licensing, and maintaining a statutory agent. For the Ohio “biennial report,” most standard LLCs generally do not have that recurring requirement.
Missing required reports (for entity types that must file) can impact good standing and create administrative issues. If you missed a filing you were required to submit, file as soon as possible and keep proof.
No. Licenses are usually local or industry-specific permissions to operate. A biennial report (when required) is a state-level entity filing. Many Ohio businesses need licenses, while most standard LLCs don’t have a biennial report.
