In Short: North Carolina LLC Annual Report
Every North Carolina LLC files an annual report with the Department of the Secretary of State by April 15 each year. The fee is $200, or $203 online with a card.
- Who files: every North Carolina LLC and every foreign LLC with a certificate of authority in North Carolina.
- Due date: April 15 every year, starting the year after the LLC forms.
- Fee: $200 on paper, $203 online by card.
- Late fee: none listed on the state’s fee schedule.
- If you never file: the Secretary of State can dissolve the LLC once the report is 60 days overdue and a 60-day notice period passes. Reinstatement costs $100 plus every missed report.
North Carolina gives every LLC the same deadline: April 15, the same day as the federal individual tax deadline. At $200, it is one of the higher annual report fees in the Southeast, and it applies to single-member and inactive LLCs alike.
This guide covers who files, when the first report is due, the fee, what the report asks for, how to file online, and how dissolution and reinstatement work under North Carolina law.
North Carolina LLC Annual Report at a Glance
| Official name | Limited Liability Company Annual Report |
|---|---|
| Filed with | North Carolina Department of the Secretary of State, Business Registration Division |
| Who files | Every North Carolina LLC and every foreign LLC with a certificate of authority |
| Filing cycle | Every year |
| Due date | April 15 |
| First report | April 15 of the year after the articles of organization take effect |
| Fee | $200 paper, $203 online by card |
| Dissolution | Possible once the report is 60 days overdue, after a 60-day notice |
| Reinstatement | $100 plus all delinquent reports and fees |
Who Must File a North Carolina LLC Annual Report?
Under G.S. 57D-2-24, every LLC formed in North Carolina and every foreign LLC that holds a certificate of authority to transact business there files an annual report. The duty continues every year until the LLC dissolves, withdraws, or merges or converts into another entity.
When Is the North Carolina Annual Report Due?
The report is due April 15 every year. According to the Secretary of State’s annual report due dates page, a domestic LLC files its first report by April 15 of the year after the calendar year its articles of organization take effect. A foreign LLC files its first report by April 15 of the year after the Secretary of State issues its certificate of authority.
An LLC formed in September 2026 files its first report by April 15, 2027. There is no report in the formation year.
How Much Does the North Carolina LLC Annual Report Cost?
The Secretary of State’s LLC fee schedule sets the annual report fee at $200. Filing online by credit card adds a $3 electronic fee, for $203 total, and the state lists a $2 fee for ACH payment. Domestic and foreign LLCs pay the same amount.
What Information Does the Annual Report Ask For?
- The LLC’s name and, for a foreign LLC, any different name it uses in North Carolina and its state of formation.
- The registered agent’s name, the registered office street address and county, and the mailing address if different.
- The principal office address and phone number.
- The names, titles and business addresses of the company officials, such as members and managers.
- A brief description of the business.
If nothing has changed since the last report, the LLC can certify that instead of restating every detail. If the Secretary of State returns a report for missing information, a corrected report delivered within 30 days of the notice still counts as filed on time.
How to File the North Carolina LLC Annual Report: Step by Step
- Look up the LLC in the Secretary of State’s business registration search to confirm the name and status.
- Open the annual report filing through the Secretary of State’s online services. The state notes that online reports have a lower rejection rate than paper ones.
- Confirm or update the details: registered agent, principal office, company officials and business description.
- Certify no changes if the information is the same as last year.
- Pay $203 by card or $202 by ACH, then save the filed report.
What Happens If You Miss the April 15 Deadline?
North Carolina’s fee schedule lists no late fee. The consequence is dissolution. Under G.S. 57D-6-06, the Secretary of State can administratively dissolve an LLC that has not delivered its annual report within 60 days after it was due. The Secretary of State first mails a notice, and the LLC has 60 days from the mailing to file. If it does not, the Secretary of State signs a certificate of dissolution.
A dissolved LLC can apply for reinstatement. The fee is $100, and the LLC must also file every delinquent annual report and pay its fees. If another business has taken the LLC’s name in the meantime, the LLC must change its name to reinstate.
Keep Your North Carolina LLC in Good Standing
Filing the LLC Annual Report on time is what keeps your LLC listed as active with the state. Banks, payment processors and new partners ask for proof of that status, and the document that shows it is a North Carolina certificate of good standing. For the full picture of what the state charges each year, see our breakdown of North Carolina LLC costs, and if you have not formed the company yet, start with our guide on how to start an LLC in North Carolina.
Most missed filings trace back to one problem: the state’s reminder went to an old address. A registered agent service that scans and forwards state mail closes that gap. If a deadline has already passed, our guide on what happens when you miss an annual report deadline walks through the fix, and our LLC annual report guide for every state covers the rules in other states where you are registered.
Form Your North Carolina LLC With BusinessAnywhere
BusinessAnywhere forms your North Carolina LLC for $0 plus the state filing fee, includes a free first year of registered agent service so state notices reach you, and gets the EIN for non-residents without a Social Security number for $97.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the North Carolina LLC annual report due?
April 15 every year. The first report is due April 15 of the year after the LLC’s articles of organization take effect.
How much is the North Carolina LLC annual report fee?
The fee is $200. Online filing by credit card adds a $3 electronic fee, for $203 total.
Is there a late fee for the North Carolina annual report?
The Secretary of State’s fee schedule lists no late fee. Instead, an LLC more than 60 days overdue can be administratively dissolved after a 60-day notice period.
Does a new North Carolina LLC file a report in its first year?
No. The first report is due April 15 of the year after the calendar year the LLC was formed.
How do I reinstate a dissolved North Carolina LLC?
File for reinstatement with the Secretary of State, pay the $100 reinstatement fee, and file every delinquent annual report with its fee.
Can I file the North Carolina annual report if nothing changed?
Yes. If the information on record is unchanged, the LLC can certify that on the report instead of restating it, and still pays the $200 fee.
This guide summarizes rules published by the North Carolina Secretary of State and North Carolina law as of October 2026. It is general information, not legal or tax advice. Fees and forms change, so confirm the current figures on the official site before you file.
