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The objective of the annual report is three-fold. The annual report keeps the Government informed about all the updates, communicates about all the modifications or changes, & keeps the LLC members informed about the necessary taxes and costs. This article has all the information about Georgia LLC annual report filing in Georgia.
An annual report can be called an address book, as it features all the relevant addresses of the company & the members. This yearly report is a record of all the company’s activities in an entire year. It is also referred to as the Annual Franchise Tax Report because it helps in filing the franchise tax.
On this page, you’ll learn about the following:
Contents of the Annual Report
Typically the annual report filed by an LLC in Georgia (or any other business entity for that matter) will include all the information related to its business & members. The standard contents of the annual report or the annual franchise tax report are
- Office Address of the LLC
- Names & Addresses of the Members & managers.
- Identification Documents
- Social Security numbers of the key members of LLC
- The objective of the business of LLC
- List of all the signatories of the LLC
- Information of the registered agent, if any
Georgia LLC Annual Report
Similar to many states in the US, LLCs in Georgia have to file an Annual Report in Georgia. The Annual Report allows the Secretary of State to track the changes in the company’s addresses or any new appointments of members. Filing the Annual Report is an essential rule for all types of business entities, including Corporations, LLCs, & Non-profit Organisations operating in Georgia.
Does the State of Georgia Require an Annual Report Filing?
In the State of Georgia, it is mandatory for all Business Entities to file an Annual Report. This includes all the legal entities such as C Corporations, Limited Partnerships, Limited Liability Companies, bound to file the Annual Report. In Georgia, the annual report is filed with the Georgia Secretary of State.
Annual Report Deadline
As mentioned above, filing the Annual report is a mandatory requirement even for an LLC. An LLC operating in Georgia has to file the Annual report with the Georgia Secretary of State between January 1st & April 1st every year. The annual reports are filed with the Corporation Division of the Georgia Secretary of State’s office.
Penalties for Non-filing or late filing
An Annual Report is one of the important documents filed by an LLC. The Georgia Secretary of State levies a $25 late fee for filing after the prescribed period. If the LLC is unable to file the annual report within 60 days of the due date, the Secretary of State has the right to dissolve the LLC.
Why Do LLCs Have to File the Annual Report?
Some of the states are not required to file this yearly report, commonly known as the Annual Report. However, there are some reasons why states should file an LLC Annual Report. Here are some reasons,
To Maintain the Accuracy of the Information
An annual report filed by the LLC has all the updated information about its official addresses & the names or addresses of all its officials. This updated information allows the State authorities to track down any LLC when communicating.
To Provide the Correct Correspondence
Many times, any creditor or other entity willing to transact with the LLC requires the correct correspondence address. If this information (which can only be modified with the help of an annual report) is not updated every year, such entities will not be able to communicate with them.
To Notify the Government About All the Significant Changes
If you have changed your main business address or had new business appointments of managers or members, the annual public information report notifies the State Government Entities about it. So, the next time someone questions a newer reform that you have introduced in your LLC, you will be saved because you had submitted the information with the Government.
To Provide an Activity Log of an LLC
The Annual report is like an activity log of the LLC. It brings on record; all the transactions, new associations, appointments, etc. & keeps those records intact for all future references.
To Help You With the One-time Filing of Taxes
The annual report is an excellent means to keep you on your toes in case of your dues payment. Every LLC must pay the taxes through the annual report filing. By filing the report on time, the LLC can manage the exemptions & can avoid penalties imposed by the Government.
To Enable the State to Track the Payments
The government authorities use all the information filed through the annual report, for tracking the payment of State Taxes.
How to File a Georgia LLC Annual Report
The Georgia LLC Annual Report can be filed online, in person, or it can be filed by mail. An LLC operating in Georgia has to file the Annual report with the Georgia Secretary of State between January 1st & April 1st every year.
Steps to File Georgia LLC Annual Report Online
Time needed: 5 minutes
Below is the procedure to file the Georgia LLC Annual Report online.
- Visit Georgia’s Official State Website.
Your first step in filing the Georgia Annual Report is to visit Georgia’s Corporations Division Website.
- Choose from the two options of online filing.
When you visit Georgia’s Corporations Division Website, you will get to choose from two options of filing the Annual Report.
- Choose Annual Registration with no Changes – in case there are no changes in the information.
If you have nothing to add in the already updated information, you can select the Annual Registration with no change option. On the next page, select the year of filing, type your business name in the search box & submit to proceed with the filing.
- Choose Annual Registration with Changes – in case you wish to update information.
When you choose this option, you go to the Login page. To update the information before filing the Annual Report (Registration), a login is required. You can file the report using the existing login or you can create a new user account. Login and file the Annual Report (also known as the Annual Registration) on the site, with a $50 online filing fee.
Filing Georgia LLC Annual Report By Mail
To file the LLC Annual Report in Georgia, you can follow the steps as below:
- Go to Georgia’s Corporations Division Website
- Click on the Print Annual Registration Form Button.
- On the next prompt page – select the year of filing, type your business name in the search box & submit to proceed with the filing.
- Download the form CD – 940 for filing the report or download CD – 900(Amended) to file an amended report.
- Fill the forms with correct information.
- Send the printed copies of the forms and relevant documents with the $10 fees to the address: Office of Secretary of State, Corporations Division, 2 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. SE, Suite 313 W. Tower, Atlanta, Georgia 30334, with the filing fee of $60.
Georgia LLC Annual Report (Domestic & Foreign)
| State Office: | Office of Secretary of State, Corporations Division, 2 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. SE, Suite 313 W. Tower, Atlanta, Georgia 30334 Links to Website, Form |
| Due Date: | Every year, between January 1st & April 1st. |
| Filing Fee: | The Online filing fee of the Georgia LLC’s Annual Report is $50 & to file by mail, an LLC has to pay the fee of $60. |
| Penalty: | An Annual Report is one of the important documents filed by an LLC. The Georgia Secretary of State levies a $25 late fee for filing after the prescribed period. If the LLC is unable to file the annual report within 60 days of the due date, the Secretary of State has the right to dissolve the LLC. |
| Filing Method: | An LLC can file the Annual Report Online or by mail. |
| Forms: | Form CD – 940 Form CD – 900(Amended) |
| Important Information: | Once a Domestic or Foreign Georgia Limited Liability Company submits the Annual Report along with the prescribed fees to the Georgia Secretary of State, the filing is said to be complete. |
Seek the Help of a Registered Agent
Every State will have a different rule for filing the Annual Report. Usually, it is submitted every year, but it is submitted once in two years in some states. Some states require the filing of the report only once in ten years.
Not only the timing, the mode of filing, the proper addresses, exemptions, legality, annual report compliance, etc., have to be taken care of while paying the taxes or filing any reports with the State authorities. In many such scenarios, it is advised that an LLC appoints a Registered Agent to manage all this. Check out the best LLC service that offers all the services at an affordable price. An experienced agent is required for:
- Streamlining the mandatory processes & filing.
- Sending or receiving any documents.
- Reminding you about important dates of filing or payment of taxes.
- Simplifying the filing procedures.
- Avoid any penalties.
- Flexibility in working.
- Maintaining Privacy (as it keeps your personal records off the public record)
You can read more about a Georgia Registered Agent here.
FAQs
Yes, an annual report is essential for every business entity in most states. Some states also ask to file biennial or decennial reports to be filed.
A Yearly Business Report or the annual report typically incorporates the address of the business, names & addresses of the members, a list of all the signatories, SSN of the members, & details of the registered agent.
A Registered Agent is well-aware of all the filing requirements, annual report filing fee, & overall Annual Report compliance. The knowledge & proficiency of the registered agent allows the smooth filing of reports & other fees.
The most important thing for filing an Annual Report is record keeping. Make sure that you document every other transaction well.
Yes, the fees may vary depending on the type of entity or the type of legal entity you are representing.
How Fast Can I Fill Georgia LLC Annual Report
The good news is that filling out your annual report doesn’t have to be a time-consuming or complicated process. In fact, with the right resources and preparation, you can likely complete this task in a relatively quick and efficient manner.
One of the first steps to speeding up the annual report filing process is to have all necessary information and documentation ready and organized before you begin. This includes basic company information such as the LLC’s name, address, registered agent details, and any changes to members or managers. Having this information easily accessible can streamline the reporting process and reduce the time spent searching for information.
Additionally, staying informed about important deadlines for filing your annual report can help ensure timely submission. In Georgia, LLCs must file their annual reports by a specific due date each year, typically based on the company’s formation month. By setting reminders and marking these deadlines on your calendar, you can avoid any last-minute rushes and potential penalties for late submissions.
Utilizing online resources and tools can also help expedite the annual report filing process. Many states, including Georgia, offer online filing options for LLCs, allowing owners to submit their reports electronically. This can save time compared to traditional paper forms and mail-in submissions. Moreover, online filing systems may also offer features such as automatic reminders and pre-filled information to streamline the process further.
Seeking assistance from professionals, such as legal advisors or business consultants, can also help ensure that you complete your annual report accurately and efficiently. These experts can provide guidance on completing the paperwork correctly and meeting all necessary requirements. While hiring assistance may involve additional costs, it can ultimately save you time and potential headaches down the road.
In conclusion, filling out your Georgia LLC annual report doesn’t have to be a slow or daunting task. By staying organized, aware of deadlines, using online resources, and seeking professional advice when needed, you can successfully complete this important annual requirement. Taking proactive steps to streamline the filing process can help you keep your LLC in good standing and focused on what truly matters – building and growing your business.
In Conclusion
In conclusion, we can see that the annual report – which is also called the Franchise Tax Public Information Report is much easy to be filed. However, it is mandatory to file the report on time to avoid any penalties. If you are running an LLC in the state of Georgia, you have to comply with the filing of certain important documents including the annual report or the Franchise Tax Public Information Report as it is named in the state of Georgia.
It is also important to note that once this Public Information Report is filed with the Comptroller of Public Accounts, there is no need for additional filing with the secretary of state.