Doing business in North Carolina? You'll need to file the North Carolina annual report to stay in good standing. This requirement affects everyone, from VC firms and growing tech startups to healthcare organizations and fund management companies.
Filing the North Carolina annual report is the state's way of keeping tabs on your business activity and ensuring compliance. Different business types have different requirements, and missing deadlines can seriously damage your standing and even result in your business being dissolved.
This guide walks you through exactly what you need to know.
Filing the annual report in North Carolina is mandatory for business entities with nexus in the state. This includes:
Nonprofits are exempt from filing an annual report in North Carolina.
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| Entity Type |
Online Fee |
Paper (Mail) Fee |
| LLC |
$200 |
$200 |
| Corporation |
$18 |
$25 |
| LLP/LLLP |
$200 |
$200 |
Online filings include a small processing fee. Always check the North Carolina Secretary of State website for current fees, as they can change.
Consequences of non-compliance
North Carolina does not impose late fees for annual reports. Instead, businesses receive a notice of pending dissolution and have 60 days to file before administrative dissolution proceedings begin. You could also face:
- Loss of good standing, making it harder to get loans, sign contracts, or expand
- Personal liability for business debts if you keep operating after dissolution
- Reinstatement requirements to regain good standing if dissolved
The smart approach is to get ahead of these requirements with reminders or automated compliance tools before they become problems.
Filing the North Carolina annual report
Filing your North Carolina annual report is straightforward when you know what you're doing, but processes can vary by state. If you operate in multiple jurisdictions, you may also need to foreign register or be subject to the North Carolina franchise tax.
These days, it’s easiest to file online via the North Carolina Secretary of State.
Alternate filing methods
Not comfortable with online filing? North Carolina gives you these options:
- Mail Filing: Download forms from the Secretary of State website, complete them, and mail them with payment.
- In-Person Filing: Visit the Secretary of State's office in Raleigh.
These methods take longer to process and don't give you immediate confirmation like online filing, but they’re still an option. Whichever method you choose, accuracy and timeliness are critical. Late or incorrect filings can trigger penalties and compliance issues that disrupt your business operations.
Note: If changing your registered agent, a paper filing is required.
Automating and streamlining compliance with the North Carolina annual report
Modern compliance technology cuts the administrative burden of annual report filings while reducing errors and ensuring you meet deadlines.
Solutions that automate entity compliance can handle key tasks that would otherwise consume your team's valuable time:
- Centralized data management storing all entity information securely
- Workflow automation guiding users through filing requirements
- Document generation with auto-populated forms
- Calendar integration syncing deadlines with team schedules
- Multi-jurisdictional support managing requirements across states
- Audit trails documenting all compliance activities
When choosing a solution, consider your specific needs: entity count, jurisdictional complexity, industry requirements, and growth plans. The right system should fit your organization's unique compliance profile.
Maintaining compliance beyond the North Carolina annual report
Annual reports are just one piece of your North Carolina compliance puzzle. Staying in good standing requires attention to various regulatory requirements.
Ongoing regulatory requirements
Beyond the North Carolina annual report, your business must handle:
- Business licenses and permits with varying renewal schedules
- NC Department of Revenue corporate income and franchise tax filing and payment obligations (depending on entity type, tax classification, and activities)
- Employment law compliance, including changes to labor regulations
- Industry-specific requirements like HIPAA for healthcare organizations
- Registered agent maintenance, ensuring proper service of process
FAQs about North Carolina’s annual report
When is the North Carolina annual report due?
For most businesses, the report is due on the 15th day of the 4th month after the fiscal year-end. Calendar-year businesses file by April 15th.
What information goes on the annual report?
You'll need to provide the entity name, registered office address and agent information, principal office address and telephone number, names and business addresses of principal officers (corporations) or principal company officials (LLCs), and a brief description of the nature of business.
How much does filing cost?
Statutory filing fees are $18 electronic or $25 paper for corporations, and $200 for LLCs, LLPs, and LLLPs.
What happens if I miss the deadline?
North Carolina does not impose a separate late fee but sends a notice of pending dissolution. You have 60 days from the notice to file before administrative dissolution or revocation proceedings begin. This can seriously impact your ability to do business.
Can I file online?
Yes, North Carolina offers online filing through the Secretary of State's website, which is typically the fastest and most convenient method.
How Discern simplifies your NC compliance needs
Discern's platform allows you to digitally file your North Carolina annual reports directly from the product in minutes.
Our automated solutions simplify compliance management by tracking deadlines across all jurisdictions, ensuring accurate information, and managing multiple entities through a single dashboard.
Book a Discern demo to get started.
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