In Kentucky, limited liability companies, C corporations, limited partnerships, and business trusts must file an “annual report” with the Kentucky Secretary of State office. Kentucky annual reports allow the State to provide accurate information to the public about the business entities registered there. Registered entities must file their annual report by June 30 each year—even if they had no business activity or income.
Businesses operating as sole proprietors or general partnerships do not have to file annual reports in Kentucky.
When Annual Reports Are Due in Kentucky
The Kentucky annual report due date, regardless of entity type, is June 30. Businesses may file their annual reports anytime between January 1 and June 30.
How to File Your Annual Report
There are three options for filing an annual report in the Commonwealth of Kentucky:
- Return the annual report postcard the State mailed to the business via the United States Postal Service;
- File the annual report online via the Kentucky Secretary of State website; or
- Print the annual report from the Secretary of State website and return it by mail or deliver it in person.
New businesses filing their annual report for the first time must:
- Submit the names and addresses of the entity’s officers, directors, members, managers, or trustees.
- Confirm the principal business address.
- Confirm the registered agent and its address.
- Sign and date the report.
- Pay a $15 state filing fee.
Existing businesses that have filed an annual report before must:
- Confirm the names and addresses of the entity’s officers, directors, members, managers, or trustees.
- Identify any necessary changes that should be made and update the information on the annual report (or an attached sheet of paper if filing a printed form).
- Confirm the principal business address.
- Confirm the registered agent and its address.*
- Sign and date the report.
- Pay a $15 filing fee.
If a business already filed its annual report and needs to modify it, it needs to file an amended annual report.
*Please note that entities may not make changes to their principal address or registered agent on the annual report postcard. Business owners must make those changes via a statement of change—either a Statement of Change of Principal Office (POC) or a Statement of Change of Registered Agent and Office (RAC). The cost to file statements of change is $10 per form.
Nonprofit organizations that need to file a report:
Nonprofits, cooperatives, and religious corporations follow a process similar to those for LLCs and for-profit corporations. Their annual reports are also due by June 30 each year and can be filed online or via a paper form. The fee is $15.
Penalties for Not Filing by the Due Date
Kentucky doesn’t charge late fees for not filing an annual report. However, the State indicates it may administratively dissolve a domestic (in-state) entity or revoke a foreign (formed in another state) entity’s authority to conduct business if it misses the June 30 deadline.
According to the State’s website, “Failure to file an annual report by June 30 will result in a status of bad standing. A (60) Sixty Day Notice will be mailed July 1, providing another 60 days in which to file the report. Annual reports received by August 31 will return the company to good standing without penalty.”
Businesses that ignore the reminders to submit their report and fail to comply by August 31 will face either administrative dissolution or revocation of their authority to conduct business in Kentucky.
How You Can Restore Good Standing
It’s far easier and less time-consuming to stay in good standing. However, if the unfortunate circumstance of falling into bad standing happens, there are ways to get back into the State’s good graces.
Domestic registered business entities can reinstate by printing a Reinstatement Application from the State’s website and then mailing or hand-delivering the application to the Secretary of State’s office. Businesses must also pay any delinquent filing fees that they owe.
Foreign business entities can requalify to do business in Kentucky by applying for a Certificate of Authority. The company must pay a filing fee of $90 when submitting its application.
How to Contact the Secretary of State
The fastest ways to get in touch with the Kentucky Secretary of State office are by phone (502-564-3490), fax (502-564-5687), or via the website.
Get It Done Correctly and On-Time
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Sources:
https://www.sos.ky.gov/bus/business-filings/Pages/Annual-Reports.aspx
https://onestop.ky.gov/operate/Pages/annualreports.aspx
https://sos.ky.gov/bus/business-filings/Pages/Annual-Reports.aspx
