Last updated October 1, 2020
New Iowa LLC Biennial Report Fees
(increased by $15)
Quick Start Guide
This Quick Start Guide is a brief overview of how to form an LLC in Iowa.
Detailed Lessons:
1. Name Search
2. Registered Agent
3. Filing Forms
4. Operating Agreement
5. Tax ID Number (EIN)
6. Biennial Report
7. Licenses and Permits
8. Taxes
Iowa LLC Costs:
Iowa state fee: $50
Biennial Report fee: $45 online or $60 by mail (paid every 2 years)
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Effective January 1st, 2018, the Iowa Secretary of State has raised certain filing fees, including Iowa LLC Biennial Report fees.
House File 638 amends (among others) Section 721—40.8(2) of the Iowa Administrative Code, and the new LLC Biennial Report fees will now be:
- $45 for LLC Biennial Reports filed online (used to be $30)
- $60 for LLC Biennial Reports filed by mail (used to be $45)
Iowa LLC Biennial Reports can be filed online or by mail here:
https://sos.iowa.gov/file/br/login.aspx
Instructions for Iowa LLC Biennial Reports can be found here:
https://www.llcuniversity.com/iowa-llc/biennial-report/
Iowa LLC Biennial Reports must be filed every odd-numbered year, due between January 1st and April 1st.
The first Iowa LLC Biennial Report is due in the first odd-numbered year, following the year the LLC is approved. Then after that, the Biennial Reports are due every odd-numbered year.
For example, if an Iowa LLC was approved anytime in 2018, the first Biennial Report will be due between January 1st and April 1st of 2019. If an Iowa LLC was approved anytime in 2019 or 2020, the first Biennial Report will be due between January 1st and April 1st of 2021.
Why were the Biennial Report fees for Iowa LLCs increased?
The primary reasons for the Iowa Secretary of State increasing LLC Biennial Report fees were to:
- Raise money to upgrade and modernize their online filing system, which will relaunch as “Fast Track Filing“.
- Allow the staff to provide better customer support.
- Speed up the approval time for LLCs filed online and by mail, in addition to other documents and business filings.
In a press release from Paul D. Pate, Iowa Secretary of State, he said:
“Much of our Business Services technology has not been updated since my first term ended in 1999. It is woefully out-of-date, but upgrading it requires funding that has not been made available. We have found efficiencies and ways to provide better service. The Fast Track Filing system will be a boon for Iowa’s business community.“
The money raised by increasing the Iowa LLC Biennial Report fees (and other filing fees) will go towards a new fund called the Technology Modernization Fund.
The Technology Modernization Fund was created by the Iowa Legislature during the 2017 session.
New Iowa LLC biennial report fees (effective 1/1/2018):
| Filing/Document | New Fee | Prior Fee |
|---|---|---|
| LLC Biennial Report (filed by mail) | $60 | $45 |
| LLC Biennial Report (filed online) | $45 | $30 |
References
https://sos.iowa.gov/news/2017_09_28.html
https://rules.iowa.gov/Notice/Details/3643C
https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/aco/arc/3320C.pdf
https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/publications/FN/857292.pdf
https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/iac/rule/11-22-2017.721.40.8.pdf
https://www.legis.iowa.gov/DOCS/ACO/IC/LINC/Section.489.209.pdf
https://www.iowaabi.org/news/legislative-news/secretary-of-state-finalizes-rule/
https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/BillBook?ga=%24selectedGa.generalAssemblyID&ba=SF516
