How do I maintain an LLC in Pennsylvania?
How do I maintain my Pennsylvania LLC? | BetterLegal
What's the next step after registering my business in Pennsylvania?
After successfully setting up your business in Pennsylvania, you need to make sure that you keep your LLC in good standing with the state. This way, you will be able to transact with third parties smoothly, especially with your vendors and clients.
A good standing status shows that your company is compliant with the state requirements. This includes, but is not limited to, payment of annual fees and updating of your company information with the state.
Additionally, certain other formalities are required by the state, like appointing a registered agent for service of process and maintaining a registered office in Pennsylvania.
If you do not have a physical address in the state where you registered your LLC, check out BetterLegal's Registered Agent Service. Through BetterLegal's Registered Agent service, you will receive scanned copies of your important mails and you may also request for physical copies to be mailed to your address for a minimal administrative fee. Subscribe to our service now!
Why is it important to Maintain my LLC in Pennsylvania?
Third parties are able to obtain your good standing status by submitting a request to the Secretary of State in Pennsylvania. If a third party you are transacting with finds out that your company is in bad standing with the state, it may cause unnecessary delays and issues in your business transactions.
Also, failure to comply with state requirements may result to forfeiture, dissolution, or involuntary termination of your LLC.
This is why you should be on top of Pennsylvania's periodic requirements for Limited Liability Companies (LLCs) like yours. Maintain your LLC to avoid any issues and delays in your transactions.
If you need help in maintaining your LLC in Pennsylvania, check out BetterLegal's State Compliance package. We will make sure that your company complies with the state requirements to keep your company in good standing. Subscribe to our State Compliance Service Now!
The Basics of Maintaining Your LLC
There are different administrative tasks that make up the maintenance of an LLC in Pennsylvania, but can be grouped into categories:
- Decennial Report: Required filing in Pennsylvania to keep your LLC in good standing
- Certificate of Organization: Updating of your LLC information in Pennsylvania
- Operating Agreement: Legal document outlining the internal rules and procedures of a Limited Liability Company
- Licenses and Permits: Documentary requirements for these in Pennsylvania vary depending on the nature of business
- DBAs: Registration of other names a business may go by other than its official name
- Taxes: Money owed to the government for revenues and earnings
Filing your Pennsylvania LLC's Decennial Report
If you are planning to file your Pennsylvania LLC's Decennial Report, BetterLegal has prepared an easy to follow step-by-step guide for you below. We have also included pertinent information that you need to remember when filing.
When is the due date for my Pennsylvania LLC's Decennial Report?
File your Pennsylvania LLC's Decennial Report on the tenth year of your LLC. You need to file it with the state every 10 years. The Decennial Report may be submitted from January 1 to December 31.
How much do I need to pay for my Pennsylvania LLC's Decennial Report?
Prepare $70 to pay for your Pennsylvania LLC's Decennial Report.
What information are needed when filing my Pennsylvania LLC's Decennial Report?
When filing your LLC's Decennial Report, make sure to provide any updated information of your LLC, except for LLC name change. The updating of information is limited to your LLC's Registered Office, and Change of Address.
How do I submit my Pennsylvania LLC's Decennial Report?
You may submit your Pennsylvania LLC's Decennial Report by mail only.
a. Determine your filing deadline: Pennsylvania Decennial Reports are due every ten years based on the year your LLC was formed. The next Decennial Report filing deadline is December 31, 2022.
b. Access the Decennial Report form: You can access the Decennial Report form on the Pennsylvania Department of State's website. Here is the link to the form: https://www.dos.pa.gov/BusinessCharities/Business/Resources/Documents/Decennial-Report-Form.pdf
c. Fill out the Decennial Report form: Provide the requested information in the form, including your LLC's name, Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN), and the names and addresses of your LLC's managers and members.
d. Calculate and include the filing fee: The filing fee for the Decennial Report in Pennsylvania is $70. Make sure to include a check or money order for the filing fee with your Decennial Report form. Make it payable to Department of State.
e. Mail the Decennial Report form and filing fee: Mail the completed Decennial Report form and filing fee to the following address:
Pennsylvania Department of State
Bureau of Corporations and Charitable Organizations
P.O. Box 8722
Harrisburg, PA 17105-8722
What is the turnaround time for my Pennsylvania LLC's Decennial Report?
Your payment or filing submission will reflect on the state's records as soon as the state approves the filing.
What should I do if I miss my Pennsylvania LLC's Decennial Report's due date?
Late submission of Decennial Report in Pennsylvania is allowed. There is no late fee. You may file your late submission by mail.
If you fail to file even after the grace period, your LLC name will become available for use by other entity.
I missed my Pennsylvania LLC's Decennial Report's grace period for late submission, what should I do?
If you also missed the state's grace period for the filing of Decennial Report, file the late decennial report.
Certificate of Organization
If you want to update your company information but it is too early to file for your LLC's Decennial Report or maybe you have already filed your LLC's Decennial Report, but forgot to update your information, you may still do so by filing an amendment with the state.
BetterLegal may also assist you in filing these amendments. Check out the links below:
Operating Agreement
The operating agreement outlines your LLC's internal rules and regulations. Some events, such as change in ownership, may require you to update your operating agreement. BetterLegal may also assist you with this.
Licenses and Permits
Licenses and Permits requirement may vary in each state and depending on the nature of your business. These licenses and permits ensure that companies within specific industries are abiding by its rules and regulations. If you need assistance in obtaining the licenses and permits required for your LLC, you may check out BetterLegal's Permit and License Search service.
DBAs and Fictitious Names
A DBA (Doing Business As) or a Fictitious Name is an alternative name or nickname under which a business can operate. This allows a business to conduct business under a name other than its legal name. For example, an LLC named "ABC Tile LLC" might file for a DBA and conduct business under the name "Pennsylvania Tile".
A DBA or Fictitious name is not a separate legal entity, it is a name that the business can use for its transactions and it does not change the legal structure or the ownership of the business.
If you need help in registering a DBA for your LLC, reach out to us via chat or call to confirm if we can assist with your filing.
Taxes
The type of taxes that each state requires vary. Meanwhile, all LLCs are subject to Federal Taxes due to the IRS and are reported through the LLC’s EIN. For the filing of your taxes, it is best to consult your accountant.
