Ohio LLC Annual Report: Does Ohio Require One?
Updated June 2026 · By Asal Multi Services · Columbus, OH
Ohio LLCs: No Annual Report Required
Ohio does not require LLCs to file an annual report or pay annual fees to the Secretary of State. You pay the $99 filing fee once when you form your LLC — and that's it for state fees. This is one of the best reasons to form an LLC in Ohio.
Ohio vs. Other States: Annual Report Comparison
Most states require LLCs to file an annual or biennial report and pay a fee to stay active. Ohio is one of the few states that requires neither:
| State | Annual Report? | Annual Fee | Due Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio | No | $0 | N/A |
| California | Yes (biennial) | $800+ minimum | April 15 |
| New York | Yes (biennial) | $9 | Every 2 years |
| Florida | Yes (annual) | $138.75 | May 1 |
| Indiana | Yes (biennial) | $31 | Every 2 years |
| Pennsylvania | Yes (annual) | $7 | Dec 31 |
What Ohio LLCs Must Do to Stay Active
No annual report doesn't mean no responsibilities. To keep your Ohio LLC in good standing:
1. Maintain a Valid Statutory Agent
Your Ohio statutory agent's name and address must always be current with the Secretary of State. If your agent moves or resigns, file a Change of Statutory Agent form ($25) immediately. Failure to maintain a valid agent is the #1 reason Ohio LLCs get administratively cancelled.
2. File Annual Tax Returns
Single-member LLCs file Schedule C with their personal federal tax return (Form 1040). Multi-member LLCs file Form 1065 (Partnership return) plus K-1s to each member. LLCs with S-Corp election file Form 1120-S. Ohio income tax returns are also required.
3. Ohio Commercial Activity Tax (if applicable)
Ohio's CAT applies to businesses with Ohio gross receipts over $150,000/year. Below $150,000: exempt. $150,000–$1 million: $150 flat fee. Over $1 million: additional rate applies. Most small Columbus businesses with under $150K revenue pay nothing.
4. Renew Local Business Licenses
City of Columbus and Franklin County business licenses (if required for your industry) may have annual renewal requirements. Ohio vendor licenses (sales tax) also require renewal. Check your specific industry — restaurants, childcare, healthcare, and contractors have stricter requirements.
What Happens If Your Ohio LLC Gets Cancelled?
Ohio can administratively cancel your LLC for failing to maintain a valid statutory agent. If your LLC is cancelled:
- • You lose your liability protection — personal assets become vulnerable
- • You cannot legally operate under the LLC name
- • Your business bank account may be frozen or closed
- • You must file for reinstatement (and pay reinstatement fees) to reactivate
Reinstatement is possible but takes time and costs money. The best strategy is keeping your statutory agent current — it takes 5 minutes and costs $25 when you move or change agents.
Need Help Keeping Your Ohio LLC Active?
Asal Multi Services helps Columbus LLC owners maintain their business records, file agent changes, prepare tax documents, and handle any Ohio compliance questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does an Ohio LLC need to file an annual report?
No. Ohio does not require LLCs to file an annual report or pay an annual fee to the Secretary of State. This is one of Ohio's biggest advantages for small business owners — there is no ongoing state maintenance cost for your LLC.
Is there an annual fee for an Ohio LLC?
No annual fee is required from the Ohio Secretary of State. Ohio LLCs pay only the $99 formation fee when they file. After that, there is no recurring state fee as long as your statutory agent information stays current.
Do Ohio LLCs need to file anything annually?
Ohio LLCs do not file annual reports, but you still need to: (1) maintain a valid statutory agent, (2) file federal and Ohio state tax returns, and (3) renew any business licenses that expire. If you have employees, Ohio withholding tax filings are required.
How do I keep my Ohio LLC in good standing?
To keep your Ohio LLC in good standing: maintain a valid statutory agent with a current Ohio address, file your taxes on time, pay any Ohio Commercial Activity Tax if you gross over $150,000/year, and renew any local or state business licenses that apply to your industry.
What happens if I stop maintaining my Ohio LLC?
If you fail to maintain a valid statutory agent, Ohio can administratively cancel your LLC. To reinstate a cancelled LLC, you must file a Reinstatement form and pay a fee. It is much easier to keep your LLC in good standing than to reinstate it.