The Pennsylvania Department of State mails a postcard to your registered office at least two months before your deadline. The official filing costs $7 ($0 for nonprofits) at file.dos.pa.gov, and there is no state late fee. Letters asking for $100+ or quoting a “state late fee” are from private companies — the Department has issued scam alerts about several.
What the official notice looks like
- Sent by the Pennsylvania Department of State to your registered office street address.
- Reminds you to file online at file.dos.pa.gov.
- If you use a commercial registered office provider (CROP), you get no postcard — the provider receives a list instead.
- Not receiving a notice does not excuse the filing.
Red flags in a mailer or email
- A “state late fee” or penalty in dollars — Pennsylvania has none.
- A total of $100–$200 for “your Annual Report” with no mention that the state fee is $7.
- No statement that you can file directly with Pennsylvania.
- Requests for information the report doesn’t need (SSN, EIN, bank details).
- Official-looking seals, “compliance department” names, or a return address that isn’t pa.gov.
The Department of State lists current warnings on its scam alerts page.
Is a private service always a scam?
No — Pennsylvania says law firms and legitimate service companies may file for businesses. A legitimate service shows its fee separately from the $7 state fee, says you can file yourself, and does not invent penalties. That is how we work: $42 service + $7 state fee, clearly labeled, and we tell you that you can file directly.
Check before you pay anyone
Check your business to see whether a report is required and your exact deadline.
Official sources
- Pennsylvania Department of State — Annual Reports
- Pennsylvania Department of State — Business and Charities Scam Alerts
- Annual Report form DSCB:15-146 (PDF)
- 15 Pa.C.S. Chapter 1 — § 146 (annual report)
Last verified against these sources on September 15, 2026.