The annual report is a mandatory filing for most businesses operating in New Jersey. Its purpose is to ensure the state has current and accurate information on file for legal and public record-keeping, which confirms a company’s operational status with the New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services.
Entities Required to File an NJ Annual Report
In New Jersey, the requirement to file an annual report extends to most registered business entities. This includes domestic and foreign corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), limited partnerships (LPs), and limited liability partnerships (LLPs). These filings are mandated to ensure a public record of the business’s current status.
The obligation applies to both for-profit and nonprofit entities. However, some business structures are not required to file these reports. Sole proprietorships and general partnerships that have not registered as a specific entity type, such as an LLP, are exempt from this filing requirement.
Necessary Information for Your NJ Annual Report
Before beginning the filing process, you must gather key information. The primary identifier you will need is your business’s 10-digit NJ Entity ID Number. This number can be found on your original Certificate of Formation or Authorization, or by using the business name search tool on the state’s website.
You will also need to provide the following information:
- The exact legal name of your business
- Your principal business address and a separate mailing address, if applicable
- Your Registered Agent’s full name and physical New Jersey street address; P.O. boxes are not acceptable for this purpose
- The names and complete addresses of the company’s leadership, which for corporations includes the President, Secretary, Treasurer, and all directors, and for LLCs includes all members or managers
NJ Annual Report Deadlines and Fees
The report is due each year by the last day of the anniversary month of your company’s formation or registration in the state. For example, if your LLC was officially formed on any day in June, your annual report would be due by June 30th every year thereafter. It is the business’s responsibility to track this date, though the Division of Revenue may send a courtesy reminder.
The standard filing fee for most for-profit entities, including corporations and LLCs, is $75.1State of NJ – NJ Treasury – DORES. Registry Fee Schedules For nonprofit corporations, the fee is $30. These fees must be paid at the time of filing. While New Jersey does not charge an immediate late fee for missing the deadline, failure to file for two consecutive years carries penalties.
How to Submit Your NJ Annual Report
New Jersey requires all annual reports to be filed electronically through the Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services (DORES) online portal; the state does not offer a mail-in option. Access the “Annual Reports and Change Services” section of the DORES website, where you will need your 10-digit Entity ID number and the business’s formation date to log in.
Once logged in, you will confirm or update the principal business address, registered agent details, and the names and addresses of officers or members. Payment must be made electronically via credit card, which incurs a small processing fee, or by eCheck. Upon successful submission and payment, the system generates a confirmation certificate to download for your records.
Penalties for Not Filing Your NJ Annual Report
Failing to file your annual report carries consequences, even though there are no immediate monetary late fees. If a business neglects to file its report, it will lose its “good standing” status with the state. This can hinder business operations, as good standing is often required to secure financing, obtain or renew state licenses, or file a lawsuit in New Jersey courts.
If a business fails to file its annual report for two consecutive years, the state will take further action. For domestic corporations, the state may initiate administrative dissolution, and for foreign entities, their authority to do business in the state can be revoked.2New Jersey Legislature. New Jersey Revised Statutes Section 14A:4-5 (2024) – Annual Report to State Treasurer. Domestic LLCs that fail to file for two years will have their status transferred to an inactive list, and its name may become available for other businesses to use.3New Jersey Legislature. New Jersey Revised Statutes Section 42:2C-26 (2024) – Annual Report for Filing Office. Reinstatement is possible but requires filing all missed reports and paying the associated back fees.4New Jersey Legislature. New Jersey Revised Statutes Section 42:2C-54 (2024) – Reinstatement Following Administrative Dissolution.