Here’s a Maine LLC reality check: That $85 annual report due every June 1st? Half of you will miss it and pay the $50 late penalty. Not because you’re irresponsible, but because Maine stopped sending paper reminders and their email notifications have a habit of landing in spam folders.
After watching dozens of Maine LLCs scramble to file late (or worse, get dissolved after August 5th), I’ll show you exactly how to handle this report, why Maine’s system is actually pretty reasonable, and how to never miss that June 1st deadline again.
Maine’s Annual Report: The Basics That Matter
Let’s start with what you’re actually dealing with:
The non-negotiables:
- Cost: $85 flat (no sliding scale)
- Due date: June 1st every year
- Late penalty: $50 (total becomes $135)
- Dissolution deadline: August 5th (65 days after due date)
- Filing window: January 2nd – June 1st
The good news: Maine’s $85 is middle-of-the-road. Not cheap like Montana ($20), but not robbery like Tennessee ($300).
Why June 1st Is Actually Smart (But Still Catches People)
Maine chose June 1st deliberately. It’s after tax season madness but before summer vacation brain kicks in. Smart timing, except for one problem: Nobody remembers random June obligations.
The First-Year Timeline
Your first report is due the June AFTER formation:
- Form LLC anytime in 2025 → First report June 1, 2026
- Form LLC December 31, 2025 → Still June 1, 2026
- Form LLC January 1, 2026 → June 1, 2027
Key point: Formation month doesn’t matter. Everyone files by June 1st.
The 65-Day Grace Period
Maine gives you more slack than most states:
- June 2 – July 31: $50 penalty but still active
- August 1 – August 4: Last chance, pay the $135
- August 5: Administrative dissolution
Reality check: That August 5th dissolution is automatic. No exceptions, no excuses.
The Charter Number Hunt (Your First Challenge)
Before you can file anything, you need your LLC’s Charter Number. Maine doesn’t make this obvious.
Finding Your Charter Number
Option 1: Your formation documents Look at your stamped Certificate of Formation. Charter Number is at the top.
Option 2: Online search
- Go to Maine’s business search
- Find your LLC
- Click “Information Summary”
- Charter Number displays at top
Option 3: Call and ask 207-624-7752 – They’ll look it up with your LLC name.
Pro tip:
Write this number everywhere. You’ll need it for everything Maine-related.
Filing Online: The Smart Choice (10 Minutes Max)
Maine’s online system is dated but functional. Here’s the real process:
Step 1: Access the Portal
Navigate to: apps1.web.maine.gov/cgi-bin/online/aro/index.pl
Click “File a Single Annual Report” (ignore the confusing other options).
Step 2: Enter Charter Number
Type your Charter Number. No dashes, no spaces.
Common issue: “Charter Number not found” – You’re probably typing it wrong. Double-check.
Step 3: Business Purpose (Keep It Vague)
Maine wants your business purpose. Here’s what I tell everyone:
Perfect answer: “Any lawful business for which a limited liability company may be organized under the laws of the State of Maine.”
Why this works:
- Covers everything
- Never needs updating
- Maine accepts it
- Gives maximum flexibility
Alternatives if you insist on specifics:
- “Consulting services”
- “Real estate investment”
- “E-commerce”
- “General business”
Don’t overthink this. You’re not locked into anything.
Step 4: List Your Members or Managers
Maine requires at least one person listed.
Member-Managed LLC (most of you):
- List one member
- Use business address if possible
- Title: “Member”
- List one manager
- Can be member or outside manager
- Title: “Manager”
Privacy consideration: This becomes public record. Everyone can see who’s running your LLC.
Step 5: Review and Sign
Signature section:
- Title: Member, Manager, or Authorized Person
- Type your name (acts as signature)
- Enter email for confirmation
Double-check everything. Fixing mistakes later is annoying.
Step 6: Pay and Submit
Payment options:
- Credit/debit card (instant)
- E-check (risky – can bounce)
Processing: Immediate. You’ll get email confirmation within minutes.
Filing by Mail: For the Stubborn or Unbanked
Some people insist on paper. Fine. Here’s how:
Step 1: Generate Your Form
- Visit Maine’s form download page
- Enter Charter Number
- System generates pre-filled PDF
- Print on regular paper
Step 2: Complete the Form
Required information:
- Business purpose (use the vague language)
- Member/manager info
- Signature (actual pen signature)
- Date
Don’t forget: Write Charter Number on your check.
Step 3: Mail with Payment
Check for: $85 Payable to: “Secretary of State”
Mail to: Secretary of State Corporations, UCC and Commissions 101 State House Station Augusta, ME 04333-0101
Processing time: 1-2 weeks normally, longer near deadline.
The Late Filing Reality (When You Inevitably Forget)
Let’s be honest—you might miss June 1st. Here’s what happens:
June 2 – July 31: The Penalty Phase
- File immediately online
- Pay $135 total ($85 + $50 penalty)
- No other consequences
- Still in good standing
Strategy: If it’s June 5th, just pay it. Don’t wait thinking you’ll remember later.
August 1 – August 4: The Danger Zone
- Last chance to save your LLC
- Still $135 total
- File online immediately
- Don’t mail—too risky
August 5+: Dissolution Territory
Your LLC is administratively dissolved. Now you need:
- Reinstatement application
- All missed annual reports
- Additional fees
- Possible name issues
The harsh truth: During dissolution, you lose liability protection. You’re personally exposed.
Setting Up Your Never-Miss System
Maine won’t reliably remind you. Build your own system:
Calendar Strategy
Set these reminders:
- January 2: “Maine Annual Report filing opens“
- May 1: “File Maine Annual Report this month”
- May 15: “FILE MAINE ANNUAL REPORT NOW”
- May 25: “LAST CHANCE – Maine Annual Report”
Email Backup
Maine sends reminders if they have your email. Problem: They often land in spam.
Solution:
- Add cec.corporations@maine.gov to contacts
- Check spam folder in May
- Don’t rely solely on their reminders
Registered Agent Reminder
Good registered agents remind you about annual reports. Worth their fee just for this.
The Phone Alarm Method
Set a recurring phone alarm for May 15th every year. Label it “MAINE LLC REPORT – DO NOW.”
Common Maine Annual Report Mistakes
Mistake #1: Waiting for Paper Notice
Maine stopped mailing reminders. Don’t wait for something that won’t come.
Mistake #2: Confusing with Tax Returns
This isn’t a tax filing. It’s June, not April. Different obligation entirely.
Mistake #3: Overthinking Business Purpose
That lengthy description won’t impress anyone. Keep it simple and flexible.
Mistake #4: Listing All Members
You only need one. Listing everyone creates unnecessary public exposure.
Mistake #5: Mailing Near Deadline
June 1st on Friday? Mailing May 30th won’t work. File online.
Maine-Specific Quirks and Features
No Expedited Processing
Maine processes everything in order received. No paying extra for speed.
Public Record Reality
Your annual report is public. Anyone can see:
- Business purpose
- Member/manager names
- Addresses
- Filing history
No Bulk Discounts
Multiple LLCs? Still $85 each. No volume pricing.
The August Dissolution Cliff
Maine’s 65-day grace period sounds generous until you realize August 5th is peak summer vacation season. Many people miss it while traveling.
Strategic Considerations
The Multi-State Filing Dance
Own LLCs in multiple states? Track everything:
- Maine: June 1st
- New Hampshire: April 1st
- Massachusetts: Anniversary date
- Vermont: Varies
Mess this up and you’re playing reinstatement whack-a-mole.
The Business Purpose Evolution
Started as “consulting” but now selling products? Your annual report purpose doesn’t need updating. Maine doesn’t enforce this.
The Member Privacy Question
Only list one member for privacy. But if you need to show multiple members for banking or contracts, you can add them anytime.
The Registered Agent Solution
For $100-150/year, a registered agent will:
- Receive service of process
- Remind you about annual report
- Sometimes file it for you
- Provide business address
Worth it if you’re forgetful or value privacy.
The Cost-Benefit Analysis
Maine’s $85 annual report:
- More than Montana ($20)
- Less than Tennessee ($300)
- About average nationally
- No income tax offset needed
What you get:
- Continued LLC protection
- Good standing certificate ability
- Banking compliance
- Contract legitimacy
The real cost of missing it:
- $50 penalty (58% increase)
- Possible dissolution
- Reinstatement hassles
- Lost liability protection
Your Annual Report Action Plan
Right now:
- Find and save your Charter Number
- Set calendar reminders for May
- Bookmark the online filing portal
- Add Maine email to contacts
Every May:
- File by May 15th (middle of the month)
- Pay the $85 online
- Save confirmation email
- Update calendar for next year
If you’re late:
- Don’t panic before August 5th
- File online immediately
- Pay the $135 total
- Set better reminders
The Bottom Line on Maine Annual Reports
Maine’s annual report system is reasonable—$85 isn’t cheap, but it’s not outrageous. The June 1st deadline is manageable if you plan for it. The 65-day grace period is generous compared to other states.
The problem isn’t Maine’s system. It’s that June 1st is a weird, random date that nobody naturally remembers. Build your own reminder system and file early in May. Don’t be the person scrambling on May 31st or paying the penalty on June 2nd.
Most importantly, don’t be the business owner who discovers their LLC was dissolved while they were enjoying their August vacation. That $85 annual fee is a lot cheaper than losing your liability protection when you need it most.
Jake Lawson has helped form over 1,200 LLCs nationwide and has seen every possible annual report disaster, including one client who discovered their LLC was dissolved during a lawsuit (don’t be that person). He believes Maine’s system is fair but wishes they’d pick a more memorable deadline. Get unfiltered LLC advice at llciyo.com.