How to file a Washington DC annual report

In Washington, D.C., businesses must file what's officially called a Biennial Report (Form BRA-25) rather than an annual report. This requirement applies every two years, rather than annually, making D.C. unique among U.S. jurisdictions. 

The District of Columbia Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP) oversees this filing requirement for all registered business entities. This biennial report serves as a critical compliance mechanism that ensures the District maintains accurate, current information about businesses operating within its jurisdiction.

Who must file?

All domestic and foreign filing entities conducting business in Washington D.C. must submit a biennial report to maintain their legal status and good standing with the District. Entities required to file include:

• Domestic corporations (for-profit and nonprofit)
• Domestic LLCs
• Foreign entities registered to do business in D.C.
• Limited partnerships (LPs)
• Limited liability partnerships (LLPs)
• General cooperative associations
• Limited cooperative associations
• Statutory trusts

Exemptions:

• Sole proprietorships
• General partnerships (unless registered as LLPs or other formal filing entities)
• Entities not registered to conduct business in D.C.
• Governmental organizations
• Dissolved or suspended entities that have completed proper dissolution procedures

The person filing must have sufficient authority to certify the accuracy and completeness of the report information. Authorized filers include: 

• Officers (president, secretary, etc.)
• Managers or managing members (for LLCs)
• Partners (for LPs and LLPs)
• Trustees (for statutory trusts)
• Registered agents with proper authorization
• Attorneys or accountants acting on behalf of the entity
• Third-party service providers with appropriate authorization

How to file

The District of Columbia offers three methods for filing your biennial report, with online filing being the most efficient and cost-effective option.

Here’s what you need to do:

1. Access the CorpOnline Web Portal at the D.C. Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection website
2. Log in with your existing credentials or create a new account if you don't have one
3. Locate your business entity using the search function or entity identification number
4. Review all current information and update any changes to addresses, officers, members, or business purpose
5. Complete the required fields, including principal office address, registered agent information, and key personnel details
6. Submit payment using a credit card
7. Save and print your confirmation receipt for your records

Alternatively, you can file by mail, which involves downloading and completing Form BRA-25, complete with original signatures, and mailing it to the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection along with a check or money order. The state also provides provisions for in-person filing, although this incurs an additional expedited processing fee. 

Processing timeframes:

• Online: Same-day processing
• Mail: 1-3 weeks processing time
• In-person: Same-day processing (with expedited fee)

Due dates and deadlines

Washington D.C. operates on a biennial filing system with standardized deadlines that apply to all entity types, making deadline management more predictable than anniversary-based systems.

Regardless of your entity type, your first report is typically due the year after formation (or DC foreign registration) on April 1st. Subsequent reports are due by April 1st every second calendar year thereafter. 

Filing fees

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Online payments are accepted via credit cards, while mail and in-person filings require checks or money orders.

Required information

The biennial report requires comprehensive information about your entity's current status and key personnel to maintain accurate public records.

Universal requirements for all entities:

• Complete legal entity name
• Jurisdiction of formation (state or country)
• Principal office address (may be outside D.C.)
• Registered agent name and D.C. address
• Brief statement of business affairs conducted in D.C.

Entity-specific requirements:

• Corporations: Names and addresses of all officers and directors, authorized shares information, and business purpose
• LLCs: Names and addresses of all members and managers, business purpose statement
• Nonprofits: Principal officer (or key personnel) contact information; charitable purpose statement is not typically required for the biennial report
• LPs/LLPs: Names and addresses of all partners, partnership business description

The person filing must sign electronically (online) or provide a wet ink signature (paper filing) and include their title and authority to act on behalf of the entity.

Consequences of not filing

Washington D.C. enforces biennial report requirements through late fees and may ultimately dissolve entities that do not comply, resulting in the loss of legal existence. Immediate consequences include:

• April 2 onwards: $100 late fee for for-profit entities ($50 for nonprofits) added to standard filing fee
• Loss of good standing: The entity becomes non-compliant, affecting business licenses and contracts
• Noncompliant status: Public records show entity as delinquent, potentially damaging business reputation

 If you remain uncompliant, you risk the following long-term consequences:

• Administrative dissolution
• Loss of limited liability protection
• Name protection loss
• Court access limitations
• Contract enforceability issues
• Banking complications
• License renewal problem

To reinstate your entity, you must file the DC Reinstatement of Domestic Filing Entity form and pay the $300 reinstatement fee plus all overdue filing fees and late penalties. You'll also need to submit all missing biennial reports that caused the dissolution.

FAQs about DC’s annual report

Can I file early or get extensions?

Yes, you can file your biennial report at any time before the April 1st deadline. However, D.C. does not grant extensions, and the deadline is firm regardless of circumstances.

What if I need to amend my report after filing?

You can file amendments to correct errors or update information that has changed since filing. Contact the DLCP Corporations Division for specific amendment procedures and fees.

What are the processing timeframes and expedited options?

Online filings for biennial reports in D.C. are typically processed within up to 15 business days unless expedited service is selected. In-person filings are processed on the same day and may incur an expedited service fee.

How do I obtain a good standing certificate?

Good standing certificates can be requested through the CorpOnline portal or by contacting the DLCP directly. 

Can I file for multiple years at once?

No, D.C. requires biennial reports to be filed for each specific two-year period. You cannot prepay or file multiple periods in advance.

Discern automates your DC annual report and ongoing compliance

Discern transforms D.C. biennial report compliance into a seamless background process. Our platform:

• Automatically tracks your April 1st deadline with 90, 60, and 30-day alerts 
• Pre-fills Form BRA-25 with your existing entity data 
• Manages biennial reports alongside annual requirements across all jurisdictions. 

Ready to eliminate compliance stress? Book a demo to see how Discern's automated filing keeps your business in good standing across all states.