Here’s a mistake I see way too often:

You form your LLC, celebrate the win, and assume you’re good to go forever.
Until you get a penalty notice… or worse, your LLC is dissolved by the state because you missed an annual filing.

This is one of the most overlooked areas of compliance.
And it’s exactly why we track it in our clients’ quarterly Financial Date Calendar.

Let’s break down what LLC annual fees actually are, why they matter, and what you need to stay ahead of based on where your business is registered.

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What Are LLC Annual Fees?

LLC annual fees are recurring state-mandated costs you pay to keep your limited liability company in good standing.
They might be called:

• Annual reports
• Franchise taxes
• Statements of Information
• Renewal fees

But regardless of the name, the purpose is the same:
You’re paying to maintain the legal structure that protects your business.

These fees are separate from your income tax, sales tax, or payroll taxes. They’re not optional, and skipping them can lead to:

• Late penalties
• Loss of good standing
• Administrative dissolution of your LLC

Which means potential legal liability, tax complications, and a lot of unnecessary stress.

Please note: LLC annual fees are not the same as franchise taxes, although some states combine them into a single payment. Franchise taxes are typically a separate tax on the privilege of doing business in a state, and in some cases (like Delaware or Texas), they’re calculated based on revenue or assets. Your LLC may owe both an annual report fee and a franchise tax—so it’s important to understand the distinction and budget accordingly.

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How Much Are LLC Annual Fees?

It depends on the state. Here’s a quick snapshot of common examples:

State	Fee	Due Date Type
California	$800 + $20	$800 franchise tax due April 15, $20 Statement due based on formation month
Florida	$138.75	Due May 1 annually
Texas	$0–Varies	Franchise tax due May 15 if gross > $2.47M
Illinois	$75	Due before the first day of anniversary month
Georgia	$50	Due April 1
Delaware	$300	Due March 1
Nevada	$350	Due on anniversary date
Oregon	$100	Due on anniversary date
Arizona	$0	No annual report required for standard LLCs
New York	$25–$4,500	Based on income, varies

⚠️ Heads up: Fees and due dates can change. Always check your Secretary of State’s website or work with a professional who tracks it for you (hi, that’s me).

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Fixed Date vs Anniversary Date: Know Your State’s Rules

This part trips up a lot of people.

Some states assign a fixed due date for all LLCs. Others use your LLC’s anniversary month to calculate your deadline. A few even tie it to your fiscal year-end.

Examples:

• Florida: Every LLC files by May 1, no exceptions.
• California: $800 minimum franchise tax is due by April 15 (for calendar-year filers), but your Statement of Information is due every 2 years based on your original filing month.
• Illinois: Annual report due before the first day of your LLC’s anniversary month.
• Nevada: Annual list and business license due on the anniversary of formation.

If you’ve got LLCs in multiple states—or you haven’t checked in a while—this is where people get caught off guard.

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Why This Matters for CEOs

You can be making seven figures and still get hit with a $500 penalty because you missed a $75 filing.
I’ve seen it.

Worse? Some business owners discover after the fact that their LLC was suspended months ago. And guess what? That invalidates the legal protection you thought you had during that time.

That’s why I don’t leave this to chance.
In our Financial Empowerment Calendar, we include a quarterly compliance review with prompts to:

✅ Check your LLC’s good standing
✅ Confirm upcoming deadlines
✅ Review multi-state or foreign entity status
✅ Track filing history if you delegate this out

Whether you’re DIYing or have a team, someone needs to know it’s handled. And if it’s your name on the LLC, that someone is ultimately you.

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Final Thoughts

Your LLC isn’t “set it and forget it.” It’s a living part of your business, and it needs maintenance—just like your finances, systems, and team.

If you’re ready to feel like a CEO who’s on top of it, not constantly playing cleanup, here’s what to do next:

👉 Look up your LLC’s next annual filing due date.
👉 Add it to your financial calendar.
👉 Set a quarterly reminder to check your compliance.

Or make it easy and grab the [Financial Empowerment Calendar], which includes done-for-you reminders for deadlines like these (plus estimated tax due dates, monthly money mindset prompts, and strategy reviews).

Because staying compliant shouldn’t rely on your memory.
It should be built into your business.

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