Unlike almost every other state, standard for-profit corporations and LLCs in Ohio don't file annual reports at all, unlike Florida's Sunbiz annual report requirement.
Only a select few entities face paperwork: professional corporations and LLCs, limited liability partnerships, professional associations, and nonprofits file reports either annually, biennially, or every five years. Everyone else gets a free pass.
Miss your deadline, and the Secretary of State won't send a warning. They'll simply strip your good standing and may dissolve your entity.
Regular Ohio corporations and LLCs catch a rare break—no annual reports required. This filing freedom is something you'll barely find anywhere else in the country. While most businesses skip the paperwork entirely, a handful of specialized entities still need to report regularly or risk losing everything.
This includes:
Charitable organizations must also file an annual financial report with the Ohio Attorney General by the 15th day of the fifth month after their fiscal year ends through the charitable portal.
Foreign entities get no special treatment. A foreign professional association follows the same biennial schedule as an Ohio-formed PLLC, and foreign professional corporations match their domestic counterparts' reporting duties, as the same foreign registration rules apply.
Everyone else walks free. Standard for-profit corporations, regular LLCs, and limited partnerships face zero recurring report requirements.
Ohio gives you two ways to file: online through the Secretary of State's portal or by mail. Online filing wins on speed and convenience.
To file online:
You'll receive a PDF receipt immediately, and most online filings are processed within 3-7 business days, unless you opt for expedited service at an additional cost.
Paper filing works, but takes longer. Download the form from the Secretary of State's website, fill it out, and mail it with a $25 check or money order to the Columbus address listed. Mailed reports typically process in one to two weeks, with your stamped copy returning by mail.
Ohio's filing schedule varies dramatically by entity type. While regular corporations and LLCs skip recurring reports completely, adding a professional license, charitable mission, or nonprofit status puts you on a strict schedule.
Ohio skips late fees but also skips grace periods. If no required report is filed within 30 days after the due date, the Secretary of State may administratively dissolve or revoke your entity, stripping both your good standing and naming rights in one move.
Ohio keeps fees straightforward. Every required periodic filing with the Secretary of State costs the same flat amount of $25, while entities exempt from filing pay nothing. You can pay online with credit or debit cards through the Secretary of State's portal, or mail a check or money order with paper forms. The fee stays the same either way.
Before submitting, gather everything Ohio expects. The Secretary of State and Attorney General reject incomplete filings without mercy. A quick checklist saves you from an avoidable dissolution notice.
Start with the basics every filing requires:
These three items appear on every biennial report, Certificate of Continued Existence, or charity filing and must match the state's existing record.
Professional associations need extra details. If you run a professional association, LLP, professional corporation, or professional LLC, you must list names and post-office addresses of all shareholders and certify that all shareholders are duly licensed to render the professional service for which the association was organized. Ohio uses these details to verify your firm still meets licensing requirements.
Nonprofit corporations filing their Certificate of Continued Existence must confirm their corporate name, principal office location, incorporation date, statutory agent, and active corporate status. They must also confirm the corporation continues to exist and engage in its corporate privileges.
Charitable organizations face the most extensive requirements. The Attorney General's online portal guides you through uploading your latest IRS Form 990, year-end financial statements, program and fundraising summaries, and principal officer list.
Miss a biennial report or five-year statement in Ohio, and the state doesn't mess around. Instead of charging late fees, the Secretary of State immediately revokes your good-standing status when the deadline passes. About 30 days later, they may start the process to dissolve domestic entities or revoke foreign registrations. Without good standing:
You can reinstate, but it's not automatic. You must submit all overdue reports, pay the $25 fee for each, and complete a reinstatement application.
Do standard LLCs and corporations need to file anything in Ohio?
Standard domestic or foreign for-profit corporations and LLCs in Ohio skip annual and biennial reports completely. This rare exemption sets Ohio apart from most states. Only professional versions, such as Professional Corporations and Professional LLCs, are required to file biennial reports.
What if my business information changes after filing?
Keep your information current. When your principal address, statutory agent details, or officers change, notify the Ohio Secretary of State right away by filing Form 521 Statutory Agent Update ($25 fee) to maintain good standing.
How do I check if my entity is in good standing?
Verify your status through the Ohio Secretary of State's website portal. This tool confirms whether you've filed all necessary reports and if any compliance issues exist.
Who can file on my behalf?
While business owners typically handle filing, you can authorize agents or compliance firms to manage the process. This helps if you juggle multiple entities, ensuring accuracy and timely submission.
Ohio's unique filing rules create unnecessary complexity. While most corporations and LLCs skip annual reports entirely, professional entities face biennial deadlines in even years, partnerships file in odd years, and nonprofits report every five years.
Discern scales through this tracking challenge by automatically monitoring Ohio's staggered filing schedules alongside your entire multi-state portfolio. Our platform ensures professional corporations, LLPs, and nonprofits never miss their specific deadlines while managing registered agent services and compliance across all 51 jurisdictions.
.png)
.png){kind=small}