Connecticut requires registered companies to submit an annual report each year to ensure they remain in business. This simple check-in confirms your address, registered agent, and key people like officers or managers. When you file, your information becomes public record, letting banks, partners, and customers verify you're legitimate through the state's online portal.
Skipping this exposes your company to losing good standing, making it impossible to get a Certificate of Legal Existence. Let a year pass without filing, and Connecticut can dissolve your business altogether. That means losing your liability protection and your exclusive claim to your business name.
If you have a business registered in Connecticut, you need to file an annual report. The rule applies to almost everyone:
The only businesses that don't need to file are sole proprietorships and general partnerships, because they didn't register with the state to begin with.
You've got options for who submits the report. For LLCs, any member, manager, or authorized person can file. Corporations rely on officers or directors. You can also delegate this task to your registered agent or a compliance service.
Connecticut has moved almost everyone to its online portal. Online filing is your fastest option, and usually your only choice. You'll need a CT.gov account, a credit card, and your business's six-digit ALEI number.
Here's the process:
Paper filing exists but requires special permission. If approved, you'll complete a form and mail it with a check to Hartford. However, expect slower processing than the digital route.
Online filings with no significant changes appear instantly in the system. If you update critical details, such as your registered agent, expect a review period of one to three business days.
Connecticut doesn't give everyone the same deadline. Check your specific date in the CT.gov portal. Most entities must file by March 31 each year. However, cooperative associations face an earlier March 10 deadline. The state's guidance varies, so trust the information provided by your portal.
The state offers no extensions or grace periods. Miss your deadline, and your company falls out of good standing immediately, heading toward administrative dissolution after a year.
Connecticut keeps it simple: one flat fee per entity type, regardless of size or revenue. You pay when you submit, and the amount depends on your legal structure.
Connecticut generally doesn't charge late fees. Your bigger concern is losing good standing and risking administrative dissolution. The exception: cooperative associations face a $50 penalty for each overdue or inaccurate report.
Connecticut keeps things straightforward: they want to know who you are, where to find you, and who's in charge. You'll complete the entire form through the state's "One-Stop" portal, so gather these details before logging in.
Every entity provides the same basic information:
Different entity types have different additional requirements. Nonprofits list officers and directors, while LPs and LLPs name their partners. That said, Connecticut corporations and LLCs aren't required to list every officer, director, member, or manager on the annual report.
To finish, you certify accuracy with an electronic signature and submit payment.
If you miss your Connecticut deadline, the state can eventually pull your business license. First, you lose good standing status, which blocks you from getting a Certificate of Legal Existence.
After a year without filing, the state can administratively dissolve your company, effectively erasing your legal right to operate, sue, or even keep the business name you've built. Once dissolved, you can't conduct new business activities like renewing licenses or securing financing.
Connecticut typically doesn't charge late fees, but that doesn't mean it is free to skip filing. Cooperative associations do face a $50 penalty for each missed or inaccurate report. You'll also need to pay all standard filing fees you missed when reinstating.
Getting back in good standing takes several steps:
Can I file my Connecticut annual report early?
Yes. Connecticut's portal opens January 1, so you can file as soon as the new year begins.
What if I need to correct something after I press "submit"?
Material changes, like a new registered agent, require an amended filing. Contact the Secretary of State through your dashboard or follow the amendment process in their step-by-step guide.
How do I get a Certificate of Legal Existence?
Once your report shows "active" in the portal, you can buy the certificate with a few clicks. If your report is overdue, the certificate option disappears until you file and regain good standing.
Can I file multiple missed years at once?
No. Connecticut processes each report individually. The portal queues outstanding years and walks you through them one by one, charging the standard fee for each..
Who can submit the report on my behalf?
An "authorized person" can file: LLC members or managers, corporate officers or directors, your registered agent, or a compliance service you've hired.
Managing Connecticut entities means navigating conflicting deadline information and complex fee structures. Track this across multiple entities, and you're juggling year-round compliance chaos.
Discern eliminates this confusion with pre-filled forms, automated filing in minutes, and real-time alerts showing exact due dates for each entity. Our unified dashboard tracks Connecticut requirements alongside compliance obligations in every state where you operate, ensuring nothing slips through the cracks.
Ready to take the stress out of managing your annual reports and other state compliance requirements? Discover how Discern handles annual Secretary of State filings in minutes.
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