Iowa lesson 6 of 6
File your Iowa biennial report and stay compliant
Iowa's ongoing filing with the Secretary of State is the biennial report, due only every other year rather than annually, which is exactly why it is easy to forget.
When it is due
Iowa LLCs file a biennial report in odd-numbered years only, during the window that opens January 1 and closes April 1. The first biennial report is due in the first odd-numbered year following the calendar year your LLC was formed. If you formed in an even year, your first report is not due until the following year; if you formed in an odd year, plan for your first filing to land close to your first anniversary.
Fee and what it covers
Filing online through Fast Track Filing costs $30. Filing on paper by mail costs $45. The report confirms the LLC's name, its registered agent's name and street address, and its principal office address; it is also the mechanism Iowa uses to keep registered agent information current on the public record.
Because the filing only comes around every other year, it is easy to lose track of. Put the odd-year, January-to-April window on a calendar independent of any reminder the Secretary of State's office sends.
If you miss it
An LLC that does not file its biennial report can be administratively dissolved by the Secretary of State. Iowa law also allows for reinstatement after administrative dissolution, but that means additional paperwork and fees, plus a period during which the LLC's good standing was in question, so treat the report window as a firm deadline rather than a suggestion.
Key takeaways
- The biennial report is due only in odd-numbered years, between January 1 and April 1.
- Filing online costs $30; filing on paper costs $45.
- Missing the report can lead to administrative dissolution, though reinstatement is generally available.
Frequently asked questions
Do I file an Iowa LLC report every year?
No. Iowa LLCs file a biennial report only every other year, in odd-numbered years, between January 1 and April 1.
Is it cheaper to file the biennial report online?
Yes. The online fee through Fast Track Filing is $30, compared with $45 for a paper filing.
Official sources
Or let us file your Iowa LLC for you
Everything above is yours to use for free. If you would rather hand it over, we prepare and file the Certificate of Organization, act as your registered agent, and track your ongoing deadlines.
Last reviewed: September 2026 - reviewed by Gullia Filing Legal & Formation Team