LLCs, corporations, and other business entities must appoint a Registered Agent, which serves as an official point of contact for your business. Without a Registered Agent, you could be prohibited from doing business and possibly subject to financial penalties.

No, you need a registered agent in order to incorporate your business. Missing filing deadlines or failing to update registered agent information could lead to fines, increased liability, or even the loss of your business license.

Businesses that are incorporated in one state must file a foreign qualification in order to operate in another state. The only alternative to foreign qualification is to incorporate a separate business in each state.

States generally require foreign qualification when an out-of-state entity conducts business in their jurisdiction. The legal definition of conducting business varies by state and often covers a broad spectrum of activities. Common reasons why businesses foreign qualify include:

• Hiring an employee who is a resident of a state other than the state of incorporation.
• Purchasing property or a building.
• Opening a new office or other facility.
• Offering services, selling products, or bidding for a contract.
• Applying for a professional license, as licensing agencies generally require foreign qualification.

An Annual Report is a filing that details a company’s activities during the past year and to provide public disclosure regarding names and addresses of directors or managing members of a corporation or LLC as well as the company and registered agent address. Nearly all state requires an annual report from every corporation and LLC that operates under its jurisdiction. Your company is required to file in the state where you first formed as well as in every other state where you’re registered to do business.