New Jersey Annual Report Requirements

New Jersey requires LLCs and corporations to file annual reports with the Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services to maintain good standing. Understanding these requirements, deadlines, and fees helps you stay compliant and avoid penalties.

What Is an Annual Report?

An annual report is a filing that updates the state on your business's current information. It's not a financial statement or detailed business plan. Instead, it's a straightforward form that confirms or updates basic details about your business structure, management, and contact information.

The Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services uses annual reports to maintain accurate records of businesses operating in New Jersey. Filing on time demonstrates that your business is active and compliant with state requirements.

New Jersey Annual Report Details

Filing Cadence: Annual reports are due once per year.

Deadline: Reports must be filed on the last day of your formation anniversary month. If you formed your LLC or corporation in March, for example, your annual report would be due on March 31 each year.

Filing Fee: The standard fee is $75.

How to File: Annual reports are typically filed online through the New Jersey business portal. You'll need your business entity ID, which you can find on your formation documents or by searching the state's business database.

New Jersey's annual report system is tied to your specific formation date, which means businesses have different filing deadlines throughout the year. Mark your calendar for the last day of your formation anniversary month and plan to file before then.

What Information Is Included in the Annual Report?

While specific requirements can vary based on entity type, New Jersey annual reports typically include:

• Business name and entity ID
• Registered agent name and address
• Principal office address
• Names and addresses of members or managers (for LLCs)
• Names and addresses of directors and officers (for corporations)

You're essentially confirming that the state's records are current or updating any information that has changed since your last filing.

Consequences of Missing the Deadline

Filing your annual report late can trigger serious problems:

Penalties: Late filing may result in penalties on top of the standard $75 fee, increasing your total cost.

Administrative Dissolution: If you remain delinquent, the New Jersey Secretary of State may administratively dissolve your business. This means your business loses its legal standing in the state.

Loss of Liability Protection: Once dissolved, your LLC or corporation may lose the liability protections that typically shield your personal assets from business debts and legal claims.

Difficulty Conducting Business: Many banks, vendors, and partners verify that businesses are in good standing before entering into agreements. A dissolved or delinquent business may face challenges opening accounts, securing contracts, or maintaining business relationships.

Reinstatement Costs: If your business is administratively dissolved, you'll need to go through a reinstatement process, which typically involves filing past-due reports, paying accumulated fees and penalties, and submitting additional paperwork.

Additional New Jersey Tax Considerations

New Jersey has an annual alternative minimum assessment of $150 for LLCs that are treated as corporations for tax purposes. This is separate from the annual report filing fee and depends on how your LLC is classified.

If your LLC is treated as a partnership or disregarded entity for federal tax purposes, this assessment typically doesn't apply. However, if your LLC has elected to be taxed as a corporation, you may need to pay this annual minimum in addition to the $75 annual report fee.

This is a tax matter separate from your registered agent and annual report requirements. Consult with a tax professional to understand how this applies to your specific situation.

How New Jersey Registered Agent Helps You Stay Compliant

For $99 per year, our registered agent service includes compliance support to help you avoid penalties and maintain good standing:

Annual Report Reminders: We send timely alerts before your filing deadline so you have plenty of time to file your report and pay the $75 fee.

Document Monitoring: The Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services sends notices and correspondence to your registered agent. We forward these to you the same day we receive them, ensuring you're always informed about filing requirements and deadlines.

Ongoing Access: Our online document portal lets you review past correspondence from the state, helping you track your compliance history and confirm that filings have been received and processed.

Professional Address: Using our Trenton address as your registered office ensures the state always has a reliable location to send important notices.

While we provide reminders and forward state correspondence, filing the actual annual report remains your responsibility. We help you stay informed so you can meet your obligations on time.

Get Started with Compliance Support

Missing deadlines and facing penalties adds unnecessary cost and stress to running your business. For $99 per year, New Jersey Registered Agent provides the reminders and document forwarding you need to stay on top of New Jersey's requirements.

Our same-day document scanning means you'll receive state notices immediately. Our compliance alerts give you advance warning of upcoming deadlines. And our online portal keeps everything organized and accessible.

Plus, our service protects your privacy by keeping your home address off public records with the New Jersey Secretary of State.

Ready to simplify your New Jersey compliance? Sign up today and let us help you stay on track.