What good standing means
"Good standing" means the state considers your LLC current: its reports are filed, its fees are paid and it has a registered agent. Banks, payment providers and business partners sometimes ask for a certificate of good standing, which the state issues for a fee.
An LLC that falls out of good standing can be administratively dissolved. It can usually be reinstated, but reinstatement costs more and can interrupt your bank and payment accounts.
The yearly checklist
| Task | When | Who receives it |
|---|---|---|
| State annual report or tax, if your state has one | Depends on the state, see below | Secretary of State |
| Registered agent renewal | Every 12 months | Your agent |
| Form 5472 with pro forma 1120 (foreign-owned single-member LLC) | April 15, or October 15 with an extension | IRS |
| Business address and mail service renewal, if used | Every 12 months | Your address provider |
State deadlines
| State | Filing | Due |
|---|---|---|
| Wyoming | Annual report, $60 minimum | First day of anniversary month |
| Delaware | Annual LLC tax, $300 | June 1 |
| New Mexico | None | — |
| Florida | Annual report, $138.75 | January 1 to May 1 |
| Texas | Franchise tax and Public Information Report | May 15 |
| Nevada | Annual list and business license, $350 | End of anniversary month |
| Colorado | Periodic report | Around anniversary month |
| Arizona | None | — |
Fees are as of October 2026.
Changes you have to report
- New registered agent or agent address: file a change with the state.
- New company name: file an amendment with the state, then tell the IRS.
- New members or managers: update your operating agreement, and in some states file an amendment.
- New mailing address or responsible party: tell the IRS with Form 8822-B, within 60 days for a change of responsible party.
Keeping the liability protection
An LLC protects your personal assets from the company's debts, but courts can set that aside when the company is not treated as separate. Keep a separate bank account, sign contracts in the company's name, keep basic records, and do not pay personal costs from the company account.
If you stop using the LLC
Do not just abandon it. File articles of dissolution with the state, file a final Form 5472 and pro forma 1120 marked as final, and close the EIN account with the IRS. An abandoned LLC keeps generating yearly obligations and penalties until it is dissolved.
Every deadline above appears in your LLCBolt dashboard with the exact fee, and we email you before each one.
Certificates of good standing
Banks, payment providers and foreign authorities sometimes ask for proof that the LLC is current. The state issues a certificate of good standing, usually online and for a fee. It is only issued if your reports and fees are up to date, which is one more reason not to let a deadline slide.
If you already missed something
- A late state report: file it now and pay the late fee. Most states give a grace period before dissolving the company.
- An administratively dissolved LLC: most states allow reinstatement by filing the missing reports, paying the fees and a reinstatement fee.
- A missed Form 5472: speak to a US tax preparer about filing late as soon as possible. Do not wait for an IRS letter.
A simple yearly calendar
January: collect bank statements and send your preparer the year's figures. By April 15: Form 5472 filed, or an extension. Your state's date: annual report or tax. Your formation anniversary: registered agent renewal. Put all four in your calendar the week your LLC is approved.
LLCBolt is a filing service, not a law firm or tax adviser. This guide is general information and may not fit your situation. Rules and fees change; check the date above.