NJ Annual Report Filing: How and When to File

If you run a business registered in New Jersey (NJ), annual compliance is something you can’t afford to lose track of even when everything else feels under control. One requirement that catches founders off guard more often than it should is NJ annual report filing. It’s routine, but it’s also time-sensitive, and missing it can create avoidable issues. This guide explains what the New Jersey annual report is, who needs to file, when it’s due, and how to handle it without unnecessary friction.

New Jersey annual report filing

The New Jersey annual report is a required filing that keeps the state’s records up to date for your business. It’s how the state confirms basic details like your company’s address, registered agent, and key contacts.

Think of it as a status check-in rather than a financial report. You’re not submitting revenue numbers or tax information here. You’re simply confirming that your business still exists and that the state knows how to reach you. Miss it, and small administrative friction can turn into bigger compliance problems later.

NJ annual report due date

The NJ annual report is due once a year by the end of your business’s anniversary month. This is the month your company was originally formed or authorized to do business in the state. For example, if your company was formed on March 18, 2025, your annual report must be filed by March 31 each year thereafter.

There’s no single statewide deadline to remember, which is part of why this filing gets missed. Each business has its own due window, and the state doesn’t send much in the way of proactive reminders. If your anniversary month comes and goes without a filing, you’re late, which could trigger penalties.

Who needs to file in NJ

Most businesses registered in New Jersey are required to file an annual report. If your company is active and on record with the state, you should assume this applies to you. You generally need to file if you’re operating as:

• An LLC.
• A corporation (C-corp or S-corp).
• A nonprofit corporation.
• A professional corporation or professional LLC.
• A foreign entity authorized to do business in NJ.

You typically don’t need to file if:

• Your business was formally dissolved before the reporting year.
• Your entity was never fully formed or authorized.
• You’re operating as a sole proprietorship with no registered entity.

When in doubt, the safest assumption is that filing is required. New Jersey expects an annual report from nearly every active entity it has on file.

How to file an annual report in NJ

The filing process isn’t as involved as many founders expect. Once you know the flow, it’s mostly about confirming details and submitting them correctly.

1. Find your business record

Start by locating your entity in the New Jersey Division of Revenue & Enterprise Services system. You can search by business name or entity ID.

This step makes sure you’re filing for the correct company, which is especially important if you manage multiple entities or similar names. It’s also your first chance to spot outdated details before you submit anything, which can save time later.

2. Review and update company information

Once you’ve pulled up your record, take a moment to review the core details the state has on file. This usually includes your business address, registered agent, and principal contacts.

Accuracy is very important here. You’re not reporting financials or tax data, but just confirming that the information the state relies on is current. Outdated contact details are one of the most common reasons filings get flagged or delayed, so this quick check is worth doing carefully.

3. Submit the annual report online

Once your information is reviewed, complete the filing through New Jersey’s online portal. NJ handles annual reports digitally, so paper filing isn’t the default path most businesses use.

After submission, you’ll receive immediate confirmation that the report was filed. Save that confirmation while it’s fresh. It's your proof that the filing went through and can be useful if questions come up later.

4. Save your confirmation and records

After filing, download or store the confirmation page and any receipt the state provides. This is your proof that the report was submitted successfully.

It’s the kind of document you rarely think about until a bank asks for it, an auditor flags a gap, or a state record doesn’t update as expected. Having it on hand makes those situations faster to resolve.

DIY vs filing services

You can file an NJ annual report yourself, and for many businesses that’s perfectly workable. The process is online, predictable, and doesn’t require specialized knowledge. Just remember the deadline and keep your records current.

Filing services exist to reduce mental overhead. They’re useful when compliance tasks compete with higher-value work, or when missed filings have already caused issues. If you want a deeper breakdown of when outsourcing makes sense, our guide on filing compliance services walks through the tradeoffs in more detail.

Penalties for not filing in NJ

In most cases, New Jersey doesn’t impose an immediate late fee if you miss your annual report deadline. That’s part of why noncompliance can linger unnoticed at first.

The risk increases with time. If a business fails to file annual reports for two consecutive years, the state can revoke its good standing and administratively dissolve or revoke the entity. Before that happens, New Jersey typically sends notice to the registered agent or business address, giving the company a limited window to catch up.

Once an entity is dissolved or revoked, getting back into compliance takes more effort. Reinstatement usually requires filing all past-due reports, paying additional state fees, and resolving any outstanding tax issues. In the meantime, the business may face disruptions, which can extend from banking and contracts to its ability to legally operate under its name.

The filing itself is simple. Letting it slide only complicates things.

Tips for smooth filing

Most filing issues come down to visibility. When deadlines live in one system and mail lives in another, things slip. Putting reminders somewhere you’ll actually see them makes a real difference, especially when each business has its own anniversary month. Postal helps by flagging compliance deadlines automatically, so time-sensitive notices don’t get lost in a stack of scanned mail or a crowded inbox.

For some businesses, the better move is to stop owning the task altogether. When compliance competes with work that actually moves the business forward, passing filings off can reduce both risk and distraction. Postal’s virtual mailbox and registered agent services include compliance support, so when something needs to be filed, you can simply tag in the team to take care of it.

Frequently asked questions about NJ annual report filing

If you’re unsure about whether you need to file or what it costs, you’re not alone. These are the clarifications most businesses look for at filing time.

Do you have to file an annual report in NJ?

Yes, if your business is registered and active in New Jersey, filing an annual report is required. This applies to most LLCs, corporations, nonprofits, and foreign entities authorized to do business in the state.

If the state has your entity on file and considers it active, it expects an annual report. The few exceptions like dissolved entities or sole proprietorships without a registered entity, are limited and specific.

How much is the LLC annual report fee in NJ?

For LLCs, New Jersey currently charges a $75 annual report filing fee. This is the standard state fee for each year the report is filed.