DC LLC Biennial Report: Filing Guide, Fees & Deadlines (2026)

If you own a Limited Liability Company (LLC) in the District of Columbia, you’re required to file a biennial report every two years to maintain your business’s good standing. The District of Columbia LLC biennial report is due by April 1 every two years, with a filing fee of $300 — one of the higher compliance costs among US jurisdictions.

What Is the District of Columbia LLC Biennial Report?

The District of Columbia LLC biennial report is a mandatory compliance filing that all active LLCs must submit to the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP) every two years. This report updates the government’s records with your LLC’s current information, including its principal office address, registered agent details, and member or manager information. The legal requirement for this filing is established under D.C. Code § 29-102.11 (Title 29, Chapter 1, Subchapter II of the District of Columbia Code).

Unlike many states that require annual reports, DC follows a biennial schedule, meaning you only file once every two years. However, the $300 filing fee makes it one of the more expensive compliance requirements in the nation. Every LLC registered in the District of Columbia must file this report, regardless of whether the business is actively operating, generating revenue, or has any changes to report.

The biennial report serves multiple purposes beyond mere compliance. It ensures the District maintains accurate records for legal notices, tax purposes, and public transparency. Failure to file can result in administrative dissolution, meaning your LLC loses its legal protections and ability to conduct business in the District of Columbia.

District of Columbia LLC Biennial Report: Key Facts at a Glance

Detail	Information
Filing Fee	$300
Deadline	April 1 (every 2 years)
Where to File	DC Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection
Late Penalty	$100 penalty after April 1
Legal Authority	D.C. Code § 29-102.11 (dissolution and reinstatement: §§ 29-106.01 to 29-106.03)

When Is the District of Columbia LLC Biennial Report Due?

The District of Columbia LLC biennial report is due by April 1, and the cycle depends on when your LLC was registered rather than on odd- or even-numbered years. Your first biennial report is due by April 1 of the year following the calendar year in which your LLC was registered, and subsequent reports are due by April 1 of each second calendar year after that. For example, an LLC registered in 2024 had its first report due April 1, 2025 and files again by April 1, 2027, while an LLC registered in 2025 has its first report due April 1, 2026 and files again by April 1, 2028.

First-year LLCs get no grace period. Your first BRA-25 biennial report is due by April 1 of the very next calendar year after your LLC registers, whatever month and whatever year you registered in. An LLC registered in December therefore faces the same first deadline as one registered in January of the same year, and only the reports after that follow the two-year cycle.

The DLCP typically sends reminder notices to the registered agent’s address approximately 60 days before the deadline. However, receiving or not receiving this notice doesn’t change your filing obligation. It’s the LLC’s responsibility to track and meet this deadline regardless of whether a reminder is received. Many LLC owners mark their calendars for February to ensure they have ample time to gather information and submit their report before the April 1 deadline.

How Much Does the District of Columbia LLC Biennial Report Cost?

The District of Columbia LLC biennial report costs $300 to file, making it one of the most expensive periodic report fees in the United States. This fee is non-refundable and must be paid at the time of filing, whether you submit online or by mail. The District accepts payment by credit card for online filings or by check or money order for paper submissions.

If you miss the April 1 deadline, the District imposes a $100 late penalty, bringing your total cost to $400. This penalty applies immediately after the deadline passes, with no grace period. The late fee continues to apply until you file the report or your LLC is administratively dissolved for non-compliance.

Should your LLC be administratively dissolved for failure to file, reinstatement requires filing all missing biennial reports plus a $300 reinstatement fee, together with all fees and penalties that were due at the time of dissolution and all that would have come due while the LLC was dissolved. For example, if you missed one biennial report and your LLC was dissolved, you’d pay $300 for the report, $100 for the late penalty, and $300 for reinstatement — totaling at least $700. This makes timely filing crucial for maintaining both good standing and managing costs.

How to File Your District of Columbia LLC Biennial Report: Step-by-Step

Step 1: Gather Your LLC Information

Before starting your biennial report, collect all necessary information about your LLC. You’ll need your LLC’s name, registration number, principal office address, registered agent name and address, and details about members or managers. Having this information ready streamlines the filing process and helps avoid errors that could delay processing.

Step 2: Access BOSS, the DC Business One Stop Solution

Go to boss.dc.gov, the District’s Business One Stop Solution (formerly CorpOnline), which the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection uses for corporate filings. You’ll need an Access DC account, so create one if you haven’t already, using your email address and creating a secure password. The system is generally available 24/7, though occasional maintenance windows may occur.

Step 3: Locate Your LLC’s Filing

Once logged in, search for your LLC using either the business name or registration number. The system will display your LLC’s current information on file. Review this carefully to identify what needs updating. Even if no changes have occurred, you must still file the biennial report to maintain compliance.

Step 4: Update Your Information

Review and update each section of the report as needed. This includes verifying or changing your principal office address, registered agent information, member or manager details, and the name of at least one governor. For reports made on or after January 1, 2020 the report must also state the names and the residence and business addresses of each person whose aggregate direct or indirect, legal or beneficial ownership of a governance or total distributional interest exceeds 10%, and of anyone at or below 10% who controls the financial or operational decisions of the LLC or can direct its day-to-day operations; a report submitted without that information results in administrative dissolution. The District requires current email addresses for official communications. Double-check all entries for accuracy, as errors can cause complications with legal notices or tax documents.

Step 5: Submit Payment and File

After reviewing your information, proceed to the payment section. Enter your credit card information for the $300 filing fee. The system will process your payment immediately and generate a confirmation number. Save or print this confirmation for your records — it serves as proof of filing and includes the date and time of submission.

Step 6: Maintain Your Records

Download or print a copy of your filed biennial report and confirmation receipt. Store these documents with your other important LLC records. Update your calendar for the next biennial report due date (two years from the current filing year). Consider setting reminders for January of the filing year to ensure you don’t miss the April 1 deadline.

What Happens If You Don’t File?

Failing to file your District of Columbia LLC biennial report by April 1 triggers immediate consequences. The DLCP assesses a $100 late penalty as soon as the deadline passes, increasing your total filing cost to $400. Your LLC is not in good standing while the report is outstanding: filing the BRA-25 and maintaining a registered agent are what keep an entity in active and good-standing status, so a delinquent LLC cannot obtain a certificate of good standing or file articles of dissolution or withdrawal until it catches up.

If you continue to neglect the filing requirement, the DLCP will eventually administratively dissolve your LLC. This typically occurs several months after the deadline, though the exact timeline can vary. Administrative dissolution means your LLC loses its legal status and protections in the District of Columbia. You can no longer legally conduct business, enter contracts, or maintain lawsuits under the LLC name.

Reinstating an administratively dissolved LLC requires filing all delinquent biennial reports, paying all fees and penalties that were due at dissolution and that would have come due while the LLC was dissolved, and submitting a $300 reinstatement fee. The reinstatement process can take several weeks to complete. During this time, you may face additional complications, such as losing your LLC name if another entity registers it, potential personal liability for business debts incurred during dissolution, and difficulty with banking or contractual relationships.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I file my DC LLC biennial report early?

Yes, you can file your biennial report as early as January 1 of the year it’s due. The DLCP’s online system typically opens for biennial report filings at the beginning of the year. Filing early helps ensure you meet the deadline and avoid any last-minute technical issues or processing delays. Many LLC owners choose to file in January or February to get this compliance task completed well before the April 1 deadline.

What information do I need to provide in the biennial report?

The District of Columbia LLC biennial report requires you to provide or confirm your LLC’s current principal office address, registered agent name and address, the name of at least one governor, names and addresses of all members (for member-managed LLCs) or managers (for manager-managed LLCs), and a current email address for official communications. For reports made on or after January 1, 2020 you must also give the names and the residence and business addresses of each person whose aggregate ownership of a governance or total distributional interest exceeds 10%, and of anyone at or below 10% who controls the LLC’s financial or operational decisions or can direct its day-to-day operations; a report filed without that information results in administrative dissolution. You’ll also need your LLC’s registration number, which can be found on your formation documents or previous biennial reports.

Do I need to file a biennial report if my LLC isn’t doing business?

Yes, all active LLCs registered in the District of Columbia must file biennial reports regardless of business activity. Even if your LLC has no revenue, no transactions, or is temporarily dormant, you must still file to maintain your legal status. The only way to avoid this requirement is to formally dissolve your LLC with the DLCP, which involves a separate filing and fee.

Can I change my registered agent when filing the biennial report?

Yes, you can update your registered agent information when filing your biennial report. This is actually one of the most convenient times to make such changes since you’re already updating your LLC’s records. Simply enter the new registered agent’s information in the appropriate fields. However, ensure your new registered agent has agreed to serve and meets DC requirements, including maintaining a physical address in the District of Columbia.

What’s the difference between the biennial report and annual franchise tax?

The biennial report and franchise tax are separate requirements in the District of Columbia. The biennial report is filed every two years with the DLCP to update your LLC’s information and costs $300. The franchise tax is an annual tax obligation paid to the Office of Tax and Revenue, with different deadlines and fee structures based on your LLC’s income. You must comply with both requirements to maintain good standing in DC.

Bottom Line

The District of Columbia LLC biennial report is a crucial compliance requirement that keeps your business in good standing with the District government. While the $300 filing fee is substantial compared to many other states, filing on time saves you from the $100 late penalty and potential administrative dissolution. The April 1 deadline every two years provides a predictable schedule for this obligation, making it easier to plan and budget for this expense.

To ensure compliance, mark your calendar for January of every year in which your own two-year cycle falls due and set multiple reminders. Consider filing early in the year to avoid any last-minute complications. Keep copies of all filed reports and confirmations with your important business documents. If you’re unsure about any aspect of the filing process or need to make significant changes to your LLC’s structure, consider consulting with a business attorney or professional service provider to ensure accuracy and maintain your LLC’s good standing in the District of Columbia.

Recommended LLC Services

Whether you need help with LLC formation, registered agent services, or annual compliance filings, these trusted providers can simplify the process:

Related LLC Compliance Guides

• LLC Compliance Requirements for All 50 States
• Georgia LLC Compliance Guide
• North Carolina LLC Compliance Guide
• Virginia LLC Compliance Guide
• South Carolina LLC Compliance Guide
• Tennessee LLC Compliance Guide
• Florida LLC Annual Report: Fees, Deadlines & Filing Guide
• California LLC Statement of Information: Fees, Deadlines & Filing Guide
• Wyoming LLC Annual Report: Fees, Deadlines & Filing Guide

Sources

The fee, deadline, penalty and filing-office facts on this page were checked against the official District of Columbia sources below on 18 September 2026, and corrected where they were out of date. States change fees and deadlines — confirm the current figures at these links before you file.

• dlcp.dc.gov/node/1621921
• dlcp.dc.gov/page/corporations-division-business-registration-faqs
• code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/29-102.11
• boss.dc.gov/