Iowa Biennial Report for LLCs – Filing Instructions
All Iowa LLCs operating in Iowa must file a Biennial Report every two years.
You can submit your LLC's Biennial Report by mail or online. Below, we’ll walk you through the process for filing online.
What is a Biennial Report for Iowa LLCs?
The Iowa LLC Biennial Report is a required filing that ensures your LLC remains in legal compliance and maintains Good Standing with the state.
This report updates your LLC's contact information with the Iowa Secretary of State office.
This filing includes essential contact details for your LLC, such as your principal office address and the name and business address of your Iowa Registered Agent.
✎ Note:
This report, also known as the Annual Report or Annual Renewal, is required to be filed by LLCs every year in several states. However, this filing which is needed every two years is referred to in Iowa as the Biennial Report. The only distinction between them is the frequency of filing, but both have the same function of updating your LLC information while having different names.
What is the purpose of a Biennial Report in Iowa?
To ensure your LLC remains compliant and in good standing with the Iowa Secretary of State office, you must file an Iowa LLC Biennial Report.
How much is the Iowa Biennial Report fee for LLCs?
The cost to file a Biennial Report in Iowa varies based on your chosen method:
- Filing by mail costs $45 and takes 7-14 business days to process.
- Filing online costs $30 and is processed immediately.
We recommend filing online because it has a lower fee and faster processing time.
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When is the Iowa Biennial Report due for LLCs?
Iowa LLC Biennial Reports are due between January 1 and April 1 of each odd-numbered year.
The first Biennial Report for your LLC is due between January 1 and April 1 of the first odd-numbered year following the year your LLC was formed.
Subsequent Biennial Reports must be filed every odd-numbered year with the Iowa Secretary of State.
Examples:
- If your Iowa LLC is approved in 2024, you must file your first Biennial Report between January 1 and April 1, 2025, and then every two years thereafter.
- If your Iowa LLC is approved in 2025 or 2026, your first Biennial Report will be due between January 1 and April 1, 2027, and then every two years thereafter.
- If your Iowa LLC is approved in 2027 or 2028, your first Biennial Report will be due between January 1 and April 1, 2029, and then every two years thereafter.
How early can you file the Iowa LLC Biennial Report?
You can file your LLC Biennial Report with the Iowa Secretary of State any time after the first Monday in January of odd-numbered years.
What Happens if You Don't File the Iowa Biennial Report?
If you don't file your Iowa LLC Biennial Report by April 1, your LLC will be marked as "Delinquent."
If you still haven't filed by August 8, the Iowa Secretary of State will administratively dissolve (shut down) your LLC.
How to File an Iowa LLC Biennial Report (Online Filing Instructions)
You can file an Iowa Biennial Report in 7 steps:
Login
- Go to the Iowa Secretary of State's Fast Track Filing page.
- Under "Business Filings," click "File a document."
- Under "Existing Entities," select "Biennial Report."
- Search for your LLC by name or Iowa Business Number.
- Click on your LLC name and start the filing process.
Remitter
Provide your contact information in this section.
The state will use your email address to send future Biennial Report reminders.
Principal Office
Complete – or update – your LLC’s principal office address.
Sign the Biennial Report
Agree to the terms and enter your name to sign the report electronically.
Review
Review your report for accuracy and check for any typos.
If you need to make changes, you can edit your filing.
If everything is correct, move on to the next step.
Payment
Choose your payment method, enter your contact and payment details, and submit your Biennial Report to the state.
Save Receipt
Once you pay the filing fee, your Biennial Report will be processed and filed immediately.
On the next page, you can click View submitted file to download a copy of your filed Biennial Report.
✎ Note:
You can also search for your LLC here. Click on your LLC’s Business Number, then click the "Filings" link at the top. Look for "Biennial Report" and click on the "Certificate Number" to download a copy.
Repeating Calendar Reminder for Business Filings
The state will send email reminders for upcoming Biennial Report due dates.
However, if you do not receive a reminder, it remains your responsibility to file your Biennial Report on time every two years. Failure to do so may result in the state administratively dissolving your LLC.
For this reason, we suggest setting a recurring reminder on your calendar.
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Iowa Secretary of State Contact Info
If you have any questions, you can reach the Iowa Secretary of State Business Services Division at 515-281-5204.