Frequently Asked Questions
about Annual Reports

 1.  I didn’t receive the Annual Report Notice, what do I do?

 2.  What is my charter number or business Id number (BIN)?

 3.  Is my Federal ID number or employer ID number the same as my business ID number?

 4.  I am trying to file my annual report on-line but it won’t accept my Federal ID number or my Employer ID number.

 5.  I am trying to file on-line, but when I hit “next” it won’t change to the next page.

 6.  I am on-line trying to file my annual report and I am stuck in the payment processing window.  What do I do?

 7.  I am trying to download my annual reports on-line and the on-screen message says, "Documents are being converted, please wait." but nothing seems to be happening.

 8.  I am trying to file my annual report on line and received an error message.

 9.  How do I get a copy of the annual report form that I filed on-line?

10.  What type of credit cards do you accept?

11.  Do you accept credit cards for annual reports not filed on-line?

12.  Who do I make the check or money order payable to?

13.  How do I get a copy of the invoice showing that I paid on-line?

14.  The information has not changed from last year.  Do I still need to complete an annual report?

15.  The information has not changed.  Can I just say “same as last year”?

16.  Can I file the current year annual report if I have not filed last year’s annual report?

17.  I can’t file my annual report on-line because it says I owe an annual report for the previous year even though I know I filed last year.  What do I do?

18. I owe an annual report for last year.  If I file last year’s annual report and fees now, can I file this year’s annual report and fees later?

19.  I owe an annual report for last year.  Can I file last year's and this year's reports at the same time?

20.  I owe an annual report for last year.  Can I file this year’s annual report, then file last year’s report later?

21.  What if I don’t pay the annual reports and fees?

22.  Can I file the annual report and pay later?

23.  Can the late fee be waived?

24.  How do I change officers/directors, managers/members or mailing/principal office address after my annual report has already been filed?

25.  How do I change the purposes of my business?

26.  How do I change the entity’s name on the annual report?

27.  How do I change the registered agent’s name or the registered agent's office address?

28.  The information on the registered agent or registered office has changed.  Should I wait to file the annual report until I file the necessary change of registered agent/registered office forms?

29.  In the past, professional corporations or professional associations (professional LLC's) had to file a Form 47-PC (Form 8-PLLC).   I cannot find these forms.  What do I do?

1. I didn’t receive the Annual Report Notice, what do I do?
   Go to Business Name Lookup and enter the name of your entity.  The Business ID Number (BIN) will appear in the information provided for your entity.  Copy the BIN and then go to File Annual Reports Online Here and either file your report online or download a blank annual report form to be completed and mailed in.
    

2. What is my charter number or business Id number (BIN)?
   These two numbers are the same.  It is a six digit number that identifies your business entity in New Hampshire.  It is assigned by the Corporation Division.
    

3. Is my Federal ID number or employer ID number the same as my business ID number?
   No; the business ID number is a six digit number which is assigned by the Corporation Division when the entity is filed.  The Federal ID number or employer ID number is a separate number which is assigned by the Internal Revenue Service.
    

4. I am trying to file my annual report on-line but it won’t accept my Federal ID number or my Employer ID number.
   That is because you cannot use these numbers.  You need to use the Business ID Number which was assigned by the Corporation Division when the entity was filed. The Business ID Number is printed on the Annual Reports notice that was sent to you.  If you do not know the Business ID number go to Business Name Lookup, and enter the name of your entity.  The business ID number (BIN) will appear in the information provided for your entity.
    

5. I am trying to file on-line, but when I hit “next” it won’t change to the next page.
   Check to be sure all required information fields have been completed.
    

6. I am on-line trying to file my annual report and I am stuck in the payment processing window, what do I do?
   Exit the filing by clicking on the X in the top right hand corner.  Next, clear the contents of the Temporary Internet Files folder (files and cookies) from your computer (see instructions below) and try again.  The information that you typed in will not be erased from the report.  You will need to check the acknowledgement section, re-sign and then re-enter the credit card information.
    

7. I am trying to download my annual reports on-line and the on-screen message says, “Documents are being converted, please wait.” but nothing seems to be happening.
   Clear the contents of the Temporary Internet Files folder and cookies from your computer (see instructions below) and try again.  If that does not work, contact our office at annualreports@sos.state.nh.us.
    

8. I am trying to file my annual report on line and received an error message.
   Clear the contents of the Temporary Internet Files folder and cookies from your computer (see instructions below) and try again.  If that does not work, write down or copy the error message and contact our office at annualreports@sos.state.nh.us.
    

9. How do I get a copy of the annual report form that I filed on-line?
   Go to Business Name Lookup, then enter the name of your entity.  You will see a link that will allow you to view the annual report.  If the annual report is not available, contact our office and we will send a copy to you.
    

10. What type of credit cards do you accept?
    We currently accept only MasterCard and Visa credit cards.
     

11. Do you accept credit cards for annual report filings not filed on-line?
    No.  If you file the annual report on-line, you must pay by credit card.  If you download the form and mail it to us, you must pay by check or money order.
     

12. Who do I make the check or money order payable to?
    Make check or money order payable to SECRETARY OF STATE.
     

13. How do I get a copy of the invoice showing that I paid on-line?
    Please contact our office via email at annualreports@sos.state.nh.us and we will send a copy to you. 
     

14. The information has not changed from last year.  Do I still need to complete an annual report?
    Yes.  By law, a completed annual report must be filed each year.  You may not state “no change” or reference the previous year.  The information must be completed each year.
     

15. The information has not changed.  Can I just say “same as last year”?
    No.  You must provide the information each year.
     

16. Can I file the current year annual report if I have not filed last year’s annual report?
    No.  You must file last year’s annual report and fees before you can file this year’s.  You cannot skip a year.
     

17. I can’t file my annual report on-line because it says I owe an annual report for the previous year even though I know I filed last year.  What do I do?
    Contact our office.  You must provide us with a photocopy of the front and back of the cancelled check, so we can research our records.
     

18. I owe an annual report for last year.  If I file last year’s annual report and fees now, can I file this year’s annual report and fees later?
    Yes, you can file this year’s annual report and fees at a later date but be advised it must be filed by April 1, or a late fee will be assessed.
     

19. I owe an annual report for last year.  Can I file last year's and this year's reports at the same time?
    Yes, you can file both years' reports online in succession.  File the first year, then go back in and repeat the process for the second year.
     

20. I owe an annual report for last year.  Can I file this year’s annual report, then file last year’s report later?
    No.  You must file last year’s report and fees first.
     

21. What if I don’t file the annual reports and fees?
    If last year’s annual report is due, we cannot accept this year’s report.
    New Hampshire entities: Failure to file two (2) consecutive annual reports and fees will result in administrative dissolution of the entity.
    Foreign (out-of-state) entities: Failure to file annual report and fees will result in suspension of the entity's
    certificate of authority to transact business in New Hampshire.
     

22. Can I file the annual report and pay later?
    No; the annual report must be accompanied by the full fee due.
     

23. Can the late fee be waived?
    No.  The statute is very clear:  The annual reports are due April 1 of each year and a late fee of $50.00 will be assessed for reports and fees received after April 1st.
     

24. How do I change officers/directors, managers/members or mailing/principal office address after my annual report has already been filed?
    You must submit all changes in writing on company letterhead or sent as an email to annualreports@sos.state.nh.us.
     

25. How do I change the purposes of my business?
    If you need to change the purposes of the entity (nature of business), you will need to file an amendment. The form can be obtained through Forms & Laws on our website.
     

26. How do I change the entity’s name on the annual report?
    The entity name cannot be changed on the annual report form.  You must file an amendment form, which can be obtained through Forms & Laws on our website.
     

27. How do I change the registered agent’s name or the registered office address?
    The Registered Agent and/or Registered Office information cannot be changed on the annual report.  You must file a separate form to make changes.  These forms can be obtained through Forms & Laws on our website.
     

28. The information on the registered agent or registered office has changed.  Should I wait to file the annual report until I file the necessary change of registered agent/registered office forms?
    No.  The information on the annual report is as of January 1 of that year.  The changes to the agent should be filed as they occur.  See Question #24.
     

29. In the past, professional corporations or professional associations (professional LLC's) had to file a Form 47-PC (Form 8-PLLC).   I cannot find these forms.  What do I do?
    There are no longer separate forms 47-PC or 8-PLLC.  The information that was on those forms is incorporated within the signature section of the annual report form.
     

INSTRUCTIONS to clear Temporary Internet Files and cookies:
These instructions are pertinent to Microsoft Internet Explorer, version 6.0 ONLY.  Previous versions of Internet Explorer may be similar.  From your internet browser toolbar, click on "Tools".  On the drop down menu, click on "Internet Options" which will open a dialog box with that name.  Click on the "General" tab, then find the button labeled "DELETE COOKIES" and click on it.  A new box will open asking, “Delete all cookies in the Temporary Internet Files folder?” Click "OK".  Next, find the button labeled "DELETE FILES" and click on it.  A new box will open asking, “Delete all files in the Temporary Internet Files”.  Click "OK".  Then click "OK" to close the Internet Options dialog box.