If you’re running a business in Maine, the state requires you to submit an annual report. It's a simple form confirming your company's legal name, address, registered agent, and leadership. This keeps public records accurate and maintains your good standing status.
Skip the deadline, and late fees kick in immediately. About 65 days later, the Secretary of State can dissolve your business entirely. The rules are straightforward: submit online or by mail between January 1 and Maine's June 1 deadline. File on time and you'll be done in minutes.
If your business is formed or registered (domestic or foreign) in Maine, you need to file an annual report. The Secretary of State expects one from every active entity, and skipping it can jeopardize your good standing.
The requirement covers all legal structures:
The person who files is up to you. Owners, officers, managers, or partners can handle it themselves. Many businesses delegate this task to their registered agent, lawyer, or a compliance service that files promptly and maintains accurate records.
Maine offers two options: instant online submission or slower mail-in paper forms. Both start at the Secretary of State's Annual Reports portal.
Filing online is the fastest and most efficient way to submit your annual report. The process takes just a few minutes and provides immediate confirmation of your submission.
After completing your online filing, you'll receive an immediate confirmation page and email receipt. If you prefer paper filing, download the form from the same portal, complete identical information, write a check, and mail everything to the address provided. However, please note that mailed forms travel at postal speed, plus state processing, which typically takes weeks.
Every business shares the same annual report deadline. You can submit your report anytime between January 1 and June 1, but it must reach the Secretary of State by June 1 to maintain good standing.
If your business forms this year, your first report isn't due until next year's June 1 deadline. For example, a company created in 2025 files its first report between January 1 and June 1, 2026. Maine offers no extensions, so missing the deadline triggers late fees on June 2.
Maine charges different fees based on your entity type and origin. Most for-profit businesses pay $85 for domestic entities and $150 for foreign entities. Nonprofits get the best rate at $35 regardless of where they formed.
Online filings require a credit card payment, while mail submissions accept checks, money orders payable to the Maine Secretary of State, or credit card payments accompanied by a voucher form.
Before starting the online form or mailing a paper report, gather all the details Maine requires from every entity. The basics are the same for corporations, LLCs, partnerships, and nonprofits. You'll need:
From there, requirements vary by structure. For-profit corporations must list all current officers and directors; LLCs need each member or manager; LPs and LLPs list partners; nonprofits provide their officers and directors. Names and physical addresses are mandatory in all cases.
Maine requires a signature certifying accuracy. This can be you, another authorized officer, or your registered agent, but it must match the title entered on the form. Digital signatures are used online, and mailed reports require original ink signatures.
Miss Maine's June 1 deadline, and you trigger a rapid sequence of penalties that grows worse the longer you wait. The first hit comes on June 2, when the state applies a substantial late-filing penalty to any corporation, LLC, LP, LLP, or nonprofit that misses the annual report deadline.
Simultaneously, your entity loses good standing, meaning you can't obtain certificates needed for bank loans, government contracts, or registrations in other states.
If the report and fees remain unpaid for 65 days, the Secretary of State will administratively dissolve or revoke your entity's authority to operate. Once dissolved, your company:
To regain good standing, you must file a Certificate of Revival with the Secretary of State, submit all missing annual reports, and pay all outstanding filing fees and late penalties. Maine law caps these penalties at $600, regardless of how many years you missed.
Can I file my annual report early?
Yes. The filing window opens January 1, so you can submit anytime between New Year's Day and the June 1 deadline.
What if I need to amend information after filing?
The annual report only confirms existing details. If you need to change your business name, principal address, or other core information, you'll need to file a separate amendment and pay the associated fee.
How long does processing take?
Online filings typically process immediately, and mail filings can take up to two weeks.
Can I file several years of reports at once?
No. Maine requires a separate filing each year, and you can't catch up for future years in advance. If you missed prior years, file them one at a time and pay the accrued late fees.
Do I still need to file if my business is inactive but not dissolved?
Yes. Until you formally dissolve or withdraw, Maine expects an annual report—even with no revenue or activity—to keep records current and prevent administrative dissolution.
Managing the complexity of annual reports and compliance requirements across Maine and other jurisdictions can prove time-consuming. Discern offers a comprehensive solution designed for businesses with entities across various jurisdictions.
Our system handles multi-state compliance simultaneously, pre-fills forms with your entity information, and ensures you never miss a critical deadline again. Book a demo today and discover how Discern can streamline your ongoing compliance.
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