Key Takeaways

  • All domestic and foreign entities doing business in Connecticut (LLCs, corporations, LPs, LLPs, and nonprofits) must file a Connecticut annual report unless specifically exempt.
  • Filing ensures a business remains in good standing with the state, helping maintain access to financing, contracts, and legal protections.
  • The filing deadlines differ by entity type: April 1 for LLCs, anniversary month for corporations, and fiscal-year deadlines for charities.
  • Fees range from $20 for LLCs to $435 for foreign stock corporations, with significant penalties and possible dissolution for missed filings.
  • Annual reports must be filed online through the Connecticut Secretary of State’s online business services portal.
  • Filing requires updated business information such as addresses, officers, and agent details.
  • Failing to file or update information may result in penalties, administrative dissolution, or loss of business rights in the state.

What Is a Connecticut Annual Report?

A Connecticut annual report must be filed by any registered business, whether foreign or domestic, in the state of Connecticut. This requirement is noted in the Connecticut General Statutes section 34-320. Registered business types include those operating for stock or profit, non-stock or non-profit businesses, and corporations with limited liability. An exception for filing the report is granted to Connecticut Statutory Trusts and Connecticut religious corporations. Both are exempt from filing.

Who Must File and Who Is Exempt

Most business entities registered with the Connecticut Secretary of State must file an annual report. This includes:

  • Domestic and foreign LLCs
  • Domestic and foreign corporations (stock and non-stock)
  • Limited partnerships (LPs)
  • Limited liability partnerships (LLPs)
  • Nonprofits

Entities exempt from filing include Connecticut statutory trusts and religious corporations, which are not required to submit annual reports.

Pros of Connecticut Annual Filing

There are two important benefits of filing an annual report in Connecticut. Maintaining an up-to-date annual report supports the company's status as one that is in good standing. With a positive status, should potential investors, financial lenders, customers, or vendors require a certificate validating the status, proof can be easily provided.

Information Required in the Annual Report

When filing the Connecticut annual report, businesses must confirm or update information such as:

  • Business name and principal office address
  • Registered agent’s name and address
  • Names and addresses of officers, directors, or members (depending on entity type)
  • Business email address (used for official notices)
  • For charities, details required by the Attorney General’s Office

Accurate reporting helps ensure the state maintains correct records and prevents compliance issues.

Cons of Connecticut Annual Filing

  • Failure to file an annual report by the deadline may result in the “good standing” status being downgraded, which can negatively affect potential funding.
  • Late fees and penalties may be imposed for not filing. If not paid, the state can dissolve the LLC or corporation.
  • A company must file even if it is no longer doing business in the state. The company must formally withdraw its business from the state to avoid annual report filing; otherwise, penalties and fees will accrue.
  • Filing a state income tax return does not negate the requirement to file an annual state report.
  • Using the excuse of not receiving a reminder notice from the state does not negate the requirement to file an annual report.
  • Acquiring or renewing a business license does not exempt a business from filing an annual report.

Penalties for Failing to File

Missing the annual report deadline can result in:

  • Late fees applied immediately after the due date.
  • Loss of good standing, which can affect financing, contracts, and the ability to expand or dissolve properly.
  • Administrative dissolution or revocation of authority for foreign entities if reports remain unfiled.
  • Additional hurdles when reinstating a dissolved company, including back fees and reinstatement filings.

Deadline for Connecticut Annual Reports

Once a non-profit corporation or domestic stock corporation registers in Connecticut, a report is due 30 days after the registration date. The annual report is due at the end of the month in which the corporation was initially registered.

Foreign and domestic LLCs, LPs, and LLPs and foreign non-stock and stock corporations are only required to file once a year. The report must be filed by the last day of the corporation's anniversary month.

A charity registered in Connecticut through the Attorney General's office must renew annually. The date generally follows the end of the fiscal year, which makes May 31 the deadline date.

April 1 is the filing deadline for LLCs.

Filing Fees and Payment Methods

The state imposes filing fees based on entity type:

  • $20 — LLCs, LPs, LLPs (domestic and foreign)
  • $50 — Non-stock corporations and annual charity renewals
  • $150 — Domestic stock corporations
  • $435 — Foreign stock corporations

Payments must be submitted online using a credit card or electronic funds transfer (EFT). The Connecticut Secretary of State does not accept paper filings for annual reports.

FAQs

Q: What does it cost to file the report?

A: The following is a breakdown of the filing costs for the Connecticut Annual Report.

  • $20 – LLCs, domestic and foreign
  • $20 – LPs, domestic and foreign
  • $20 – LLPs, domestic and foreign
  • $50 – Non-stock corporations, domestic and foreign
  • $50 -  Annual charity renewal
  • $150 - Stock corporations, domestic
  • $435 – Stock corporations, foreign

Q: Where can the anniversary month for filing be found for an individual business?

A: Businesses can find their anniversary month by either looking at the initial Acceptance Letter when the business was registered or by using the search option at the Connecticut Secretary of State website.

Steps for Connecticut Annual Filing

  1. Access the online filing system for using this link.
  2. Locate the “File Annual Reports” tab and click to access.
  3. Read and agree to the terms by clicking the button labeled “Click to Acknowledge.”
  4. Select either the “Advanced User/With Account” button or click the button designated “Express User/Without Account Setup.”
  5. Fill in the required information and click “Continue.”
  6. Select the “File Annual Reports” tab.
  7. Follow the prompts by entering information into the “Business Name” or the Business ID Number box then clicking “Search Business.”
  8. After searching, if the business name is displayed once, click “Continue.” If multiple names appear, click “Select” next to your company name and then “Continue.” The system will either take you directly to the application or will show a list of any outstanding Annual Reports that are due.
  9. Add or update information. Add your full name to the “Name of Authorizer” tab and type "member" in the “Capacity of Authorizer” block, then press continue. For a U.S. address, leave the “county” blank.
  10. Update the “Principal Maintenance” page, if necessary, then click “Continue.”
  11. Fill in the billing information, then click “Pay Securely Using Credit Card” to complete.

How to File Online

All annual reports in Connecticut must be filed electronically. The process typically involves:

  1. Visiting the Secretary of State’s online business services portal.
  2. Logging in with your business credentials or filing as a guest user.
  3. Searching for your business by name or Business ID.
  4. Reviewing and updating pre-filled information.
  5. Submitting payment electronically to complete the filing.

Once submitted, you can download a copy of the confirmation for your records. Paper filings are not permitted.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Can I file my Connecticut annual report by mail?
    No. All Connecticut annual reports must be filed online through the Secretary of State’s business portal.
  2. What happens if my business is dissolved for not filing?
    You must apply for reinstatement, pay back fees, and file missing reports before the state restores your business to good standing.
  3. How can I find my filing due date?
    The due date is based on your entity type—LLCs file by April 1, while corporations file in their anniversary month. This information is also available through the Secretary of State’s business search tool.
  4. Can I change my registered agent when filing the annual report?
    Yes. The filing process allows you to update registered agent information, but you must ensure the new agent meets Connecticut’s statutory requirements.
  5. What if my business is no longer operating in Connecticut?
    You must formally dissolve or withdraw your business with the Secretary of State to stop annual report obligations and avoid ongoing penalties.

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