Delaware Annual Report Service & Filing Instructions

How to File Your Delaware Annual Report

Follow the steps below to successfully file your Delaware Annual Report:

1. Determine your filing fees, franchise tax (if applicable), and due date.
2. Complete your report online and pay any necessary franchise taxes.
3. Submit your report and tax to the Delaware Secretary of State, Division of Corporations.

Delaware Annual Report and Franchise Tax Due Dates and Fees

*All domestic corporations in Delaware must file an annual report AND pay an annual franchise tax. The state offers two methods for calculating your total franchise tax and encourages you to use the procedure that results in the lowest amount due – which will never be less than $175 or greater than $200,000. Below, is a breakdown of both processes for calculating your franchise tax.

Authorized Shares Method:

As the name suggests, this process requires you to know the total number of authorized shares.

• 5,000 shares or less: $175
• 5,001 – 10,000: $250
• each additional 10,000 shares or portion thereof: add $85
• Maximum tax: $200,000

Example: If your corporation has 10,001 authorized shares, your total franchise tax will be $335 ($250 plus $85).

Assumed Par Value Capital Method:

You can only use this method if your shares have par value. To use this process, you’ll need to know the total issued shares and their par value – including treasury shares – and total gross assets, which are the same total assets reported on your U.S Form 1120, Schedule L. The tax rate using this method is $400 per million of your assumed par value capital OR portion of a million.

Example: Lets say your corporation has 1,000,000 shares of stock with a par value of $1, 250,000 shares of stock with a par value of $5, gross assets totaling $1,000,000, and 485,000 total issued shares.

1. Divide your total gross assets by your total issued shares carrying to 6 decimal places. The result is your “assumed par value.” EX: $1,000,000 gross assets/485,000 issued shares =$2.061856
2. Multiply your assumed par value ($2.061856) by the number of authorized shares that have a smaller value than the assumed par value you calculated. EX: Your corporation has 1,000,000 authorized shares with a par value of $1. So, you’ll need to take your assumed par value ($2.061856) and multiply it by X 1,000,000 = $2,061,856.
3. Multiply the number of authorized shares with a par value greater than your assumed par value ($2.061856) by their respective par value. EX: Your corporation has 250,000 shares with a par value of $5. So, you’ll need to multiply 250,000 by $5. This will give you $1,250,000.
4. Add the results from step two with step three. This will give you the assumed par value capital. EX: $2,061,856 + $1,250,000 = $3,311,856.
5. If your assumed par value capital is greater than 1 million, you’ll need to round up to the next million. EX: Your assumed par value is $3,311,856. So, you’ll need to round up to the next million, which is $4,000,000.
6. Now, multiply 4 (yes, just use the first number) by $400. This will give you the total franchise tax due ($1,600).

Filing Your Delaware Annual Report

The Delaware Annual Report and/or franchise tax must be filed online through the Delaware Corporations Information System.

• On the state website, you’ll need to enter your 7-digit Business Entity File Number. You can easily find your business file number by searching the Delaware Business Database.
• Then, click “Continue.” This will automatically begin the filing process.

You’ll need to include, verify, and/or update the following information on your Delaware Annual Report:

1. Business principal address.
2. Director/officer information names and addresses.
3. Franchise tax information – domestic corporations only.

All filing and franchise tax fees must be paid with a credit card OR electronic check.

Never worry about late fees, potential penalties, or forgetting to file. Hire Northwest Registered Agent to file your Delaware Annual Report for you!

How Our Delaware Annual Report Service Works

For $100 plus the state-mandated report fee, we’ll file your annual report. For most domestic corporations, that’s $150 total, not including the franchise tax. We’ll send you the completed report for you to add your tax information, then we’ll submit it on your behalf.

• You can sign up for this service by itself or add it on to an existing service. Compliance service is also automatically added when you hire us to provide your registered agent service or form your Delaware LLC, Delaware corporation or Delaware nonprofit.

• Once you’ve signed up for our business renewal service, you’ll pay nothing up front. We’ll send you a reminder 90 days before your filing due date and auto-charge your preferred method five days later.

Annual Report Service Benefits

At Northwest Registered Agent, we’re committed to protecting our clients’ privacy. Delaware Annual Reports are public record, so we’ve designed our annual report service to protect your privacy. Here’s how:

1. In order to preserve your privacy, we will list OUR contact information instead of yours.

2. Only the minimum required information will be included.

3. We will list our IP address – limiting the connection between your cell phone, personal computer, and work computers – this makes it harder for advertisers to follow you.

4. We will list our bank and credit card information – not yours.

We believe everyone has the right to keep their information private. That’s why privacy is our guiding principle when we create every service and product.

Delaware Annual Report FAQ

Are there initial reports in Delaware?

No, new businesses are not required to file an initial report in Delaware.

Are there late fees or penalties if I don’t file my Delaware Annual Report?

Yes. Delaware corporations (domestic only), nonprofits, LLCs, LPs, and general partnerships will be charged a $200 late fee. In addition, 1.5% interest will continue to accrue each month no report is filed. Foreign corporations will be charged a $125 late fee. If you continue to be delinquent, the state will notify your business by November 1st stating their intent to administratively dissolve your company.

How long does Delaware Annual Report processing take?

Delaware Annual Reports are typically processed in 3-5 business days. However, all franchise tax payments will be posted immediately.

Who can file a Delaware Annual Report?

After starting a business in Delaware, any authorized person may sign the Delaware Annual Report. An authorized person is someone the Delaware business permits to act on its behalf. This could be someone within the business (such as a director), or someone outside of the business that you hire to file your report. When you hire Northwest Registered Agent for annual report service, we’ll send you the completed annual report for you to add your tax information to. Then, we’ll file your Delaware Annual Report for you.

Do Delaware Annual Reports need original signatures?

No, Delaware Annual Reports can be submitted with copies of original documents and electronic signatures.

Where can I get more information about the State of Delaware Annual Report filing?

Delaware Secretary of State
PO Box 898
Dover, DE 19903
T: (302) 739-3073 option 3

Hire Us To File Your Delaware Annual Report