West Virginia LLC Annual Report: Your Mountain State Compliance Guide That Actually Works

Updated January 2025 | By Jake Lawson

Time for your West Virginia LLC annual report? Don’t worry—I’ve got you covered. After helping over 1,200 entrepreneurs navigate LLC compliance across all 50 states, I can tell you that West Virginia strikes a nice balance between useful reporting and reasonable costs.

At just $25 per year and with a generous 6-month filing window, the Mountain State keeps annual reporting manageable. But there are still some quirks in the process that can trip up business owners, especially if you’re making changes to your LLC information.

Let me walk you through everything you need to know about West Virginia LLC annual reports, including the step-by-step filing process, common mistakes to avoid, and what happens if you miss the deadline.

West Virginia Annual Report Quick Facts

Annual fee: $25 per year

Filing deadline: Between January 1 and June 30

Late penalty: $50 per year (ouch)

Filing method: Online through West Virginia One Stop Business Portal

First report due: The year after your LLC was approved

Jake’s take: West Virginia’s annual report system is actually pretty user-friendly once you understand the process. The 6-month filing window gives you plenty of flexibility, and $25 is reasonable compared to some states that charge $300+ annually.

Why West Virginia Requires Annual Reports

Annual reports aren’t just bureaucratic busy work (though they can feel like it). Here’s what West Virginia is actually trying to accomplish:

Keeping State Records Current

Your LLC’s contact information stays up to date
Changes in management or ownership get recorded
State can reach you if needed for legal or regulatory issues
Maintains accuracy of public business records

Ensuring Business Viability

Demonstrates your LLC is still actively operating
Shows you’re committed to maintaining legal compliance
Helps prevent abandoned business entities from cluttering state records
Provides regular checkpoints for business health

Revenue Generation

$25 annual fee helps fund state business services
Much more reasonable than many other states
Veteran-owned LLCs get first 4 years free (nice touch, West Virginia)

My perspective: Annual reports serve a legitimate purpose, and West Virginia handles them reasonably well. The process is straightforward, the cost is fair, and the deadline is flexible.

Understanding Your Filing Timeline

When Your First Report is Due

Your first annual report is due the year after your LLC was approved, not the same year.

Example timeline:

LLC approved: March 15, 2024
First annual report due: Between January 1 and June 30, 2025
Every subsequent year: Between January 1 and June 30

The 6-Month Filing Window

Unlike some states with rigid deadlines, West Virginia gives you a full 6 months to file:

Earliest filing date: January 1
Latest filing date: June 30
My recommendation: File in February or March to avoid the rush

Planning Your Filing Schedule

Early filing benefits:

Avoid deadline stress
Get it done during slower business periods
Lower chance of system overload on state website
Can address any issues with plenty of time

When to file later:

If you’re making significant business changes
Want most current information on file
Prefer to batch all annual compliance tasks

Special Benefits for Veterans

West Virginia shows appreciation for military service with a great benefit:

Veteran LLC owners get:

First 4 consecutive annual report fees waived
Must still file the reports (paperwork required, fees waived)
Potentially $100 savings over 4 years
Filing process may look slightly different

Qualification requirements:

LLC owner must be a veteran
Must register for the benefit when filing
Good standing required to maintain benefit

Jake’s note: This is one of the better veteran benefits I’ve seen among state LLC programs. If you qualify, make sure to take advantage of it.

The Two Filing Paths: Changes vs. No Changes

West Virginia gives you two options based on whether you need to update your LLC information:

Annual Report No Changes

Choose this if:

All your LLC information is current and accurate
No changes to members, managers, or addresses
Want the fastest filing process
Don’t need to review all your information

Annual Report with Changes

Choose this if:

Need to update addresses, members, or managers
Want to review all information on file
Making any changes to your LLC structure
Not sure if your information is current

My advice: When in doubt, choose “with changes.” It takes a few extra minutes but lets you review everything and ensure accuracy.

Step-by-Step Filing: No Changes Process

If your LLC information is current, this is the faster path:

Getting Started

Go to West Virginia One Stop Business Portal: onestop.wv.gov/B4WVPublic/
Log into your account (or create one if needed)
Click the Secretary of State tab
Scroll to Annual Reports section
Click “Annual Report No Changes”

Finding Your Company

Enter your LLC name in the search box
Click Search
Select your LLC from the results list

Reviewing the Process

Read the filing status page (confirms $25 fee)
Click Continue
Review your information on file
Click Continue if everything looks correct

Certification and Payment

Enter your full name as the person filing
Select your capacity:
- “Manager” if your LLC is manager-managed
- “Member” if your LLC is member-managed
Enter your phone number
Click Checkout

Final Steps

Select payment method
Review fees (should be $25)
Click Checkout
Enter payment information
Submit your filing

Confirmation: You should receive an email confirmation within minutes. Check your spam folder if you don’t see it.

Step-by-Step Filing: With Changes Process

If you need to update information or want to review everything:

Getting Started (Same as Above)

Access West Virginia One Stop Business Portal
Log into your account
Navigate to Secretary of State tab
Click “Annual Report with Changes”

Company Information Updates

Business Details:

Select your business purpose from dropdown
Choose your WV County (or “Out of State”/”Out of Country”)
Click Continue

Address Updates:

Principal Office: Your main business address
Mailing Address: Where you receive business mail
Designated Office: Legal address for your LLC
Update any addresses that have changed

Registered Agent:

Update agent information if changed
Note: West Virginia doesn’t require registered agents, but you can list one
Click Continue

Contact and Business Information

Company Email:

Enter your best business email (not public record)
Add website URL (optional)
Click Continue

Employee Information:

WV employees: Number of employees in West Virginia
Total employees: All employees anywhere
Remember: LLC owners are not employees

Member/Manager Information

If Member-Managed LLC:

Review current members on file
Click pen icon to edit member information
Click “Add Record” to add new members
Must have at least one member on record

If Manager-Managed LLC:

Review current managers on file
Update manager information as needed
Add new managers if necessary

Additional Questions

Scrap Metal Business:

Click Yes if you deal in scrap metal
Click No for most businesses

Export Information:

List top 3 export countries if applicable
Click No if you don’t export
Optional: Request export assistance information

Ownership Demographics:

Minority-owned business? Yes/No/Decline to answer
Woman-owned business? Yes/No/Decline to answer
Multiple WV businesses? Yes/No and provide details

Military Information:

Employ veterans/active military? Yes/No with numbers
Owner is veteran/active military? Yes/No/Decline

Business Assistance:

Want SBDC contact? Free business coaching available
Choose Yes or No

Final Review and Submission

Review all information you’ve entered
Click “Show” to expand each section
Verify accuracy of all details
Enter your name and capacity
Provide phone number
Proceed to payment
Submit your filing

Common Filing Mistakes to Avoid

I’ve seen these errors repeatedly, so learn from others’ experience:

Wrong Filing Option

The mistake: Choosing “No Changes” when information needs updating

The consequence: Outdated information on state records

The prevention: When in doubt, choose “With Changes” to review everything

Incorrect Member vs. Manager Selection

The mistake: Selecting wrong capacity (Member vs. Manager)

The consequence: Inconsistent records with your LLC structure

The prevention: Review your Operating Agreement to confirm management structure

Missing the Deadline

The mistake: Filing after June 30

The consequence: $50 late fee per year missed

The prevention: Set calendar reminders for early filing

Incomplete Employee Information

The mistake: Counting LLC owners as employees

The consequence: Inaccurate state records

The prevention: Remember that LLC owners are not employees

Payment Processing Issues

The mistake: Not confirming payment went through

The consequence: Filing not complete, potential late fees

The prevention: Wait for email confirmation before considering it done

What Happens If You Miss the Deadline

West Virginia takes annual reports seriously, with escalating consequences:

Late Filing Penalties

$50 late fee for each year missed
Plus the $25 annual report fee for each year
Example: Miss 2 years = $150 total ($50 + $50 late fees + $25 + $25 reports)

Administrative Dissolution

After 4 consecutive years of non-filing
State dissolves your LLC administratively
Lose legal protection and business standing
More expensive to fix than staying current

Reinstatement Process

If your LLC gets dissolved:

Requirements:

File Articles of Reinstatement (by mail only)
Pay $200 total: $25 reinstatement + up to $150 late fees + $25 current report
Get Letter of Good Standing from WV State Tax Department
Complete current year Annual Report

Timeline:

Must reinstate within 2 years of dissolution
After 2 years: Must form new LLC entirely
Risk: Your LLC name might be taken by someone else

Jake’s reality check: The reinstatement process is a hassle and costs 8 times more than just filing on time. Set those calendar reminders.

Professional Services vs. DIY

When to Handle It Yourself

Simple LLC structure with no changes
Comfortable with online forms
Have time to work through the process
Want to save money on service fees

When to Consider Professional Help

Complex member/manager changes
Multiple LLCs to manage
Time is valuable and you’d rather delegate
Want professional oversight of compliance

Services I recommend:

Northwest Registered Agent: Excellent annual report services
MyCompanyWorks: Good service and reasonable rates
Local CPAs: Often handle annual reports as part of tax services

Cost considerations: Professional services typically charge $50-150 for annual report filing. Sometimes worth it for the peace of mind and time savings.

Keeping Track of Multiple LLCs

If you have multiple West Virginia LLCs:

Organization Strategies

Create a master calendar with all deadlines
Use spreadsheets to track filing status
Set individual reminders for each LLC
Consider professional service for multiple entities

Bulk Filing Considerations

File all at once to avoid missing any
Use same login for all your LLCs
Double-check you’re filing for the right entity
Keep confirmation emails organized by LLC

Record Keeping Best Practices

What to Save

Email confirmation of successful filing
Copy of annual report (download from confirmation page)
Payment confirmation for your records
Screenshot of completion as backup

Organization Tips

Create annual folder for each year’s compliance
Include all LLCs in same organizational system
Digital and physical copies for important documents
Update your LLC records with new information

The Technology Side: Filing Tips

Browser and System Requirements

Use updated browser for best experience
Disable pop-up blockers for the state site
Stable internet connection recommended
Have backup browser available

Mobile vs. Desert Filing

Desktop preferred for complex forms
Mobile works for simple “No Changes” filing
Larger screen helpful for reviewing information
Better typing experience on desktop

Common Technical Issues

Session timeouts: Complete filing in one session
Payment processing: Wait for confirmation before closing browser
PDF downloads: May require allowing downloads
Email delivery: Check spam folders for confirmations

International Entrepreneurs: Special Considerations

If you’re a non-U.S. resident with a West Virginia LLC:

Address Considerations

International addresses accepted in annual reports
Use complete addresses including country
Consider U.S. mailing address for faster communication
Keep contact information current

Time Zone Management

West Virginia uses Eastern Time
Plan filing around time differences
June 30 deadline is Eastern Time
Consider professional help for complex situations

Looking Ahead: Future Compliance

Annual Report Reminders

Set recurring calendar events for January filing
Review business changes before each filing
Update contact information as needed
Plan for growth and structural changes

Business Evolution Considerations

Adding members requires updated reports
Changing management structure affects filing choices
Address changes need timely updates
Professional services might make sense as you grow

The Bottom Line: West Virginia Annual Reports

West Virginia handles LLC annual reports reasonably well—fair cost, flexible deadline, and straightforward online process. The key is staying organized and filing on time to avoid penalties.

Keys to success:

Set calendar reminders well before the June 30 deadline
Choose the right filing option based on your needs
Review all information carefully before submitting
Keep confirmation records for your files
Address issues promptly if they arise

My recommendation: File early in the year when you’re not rushed, choose “With Changes” if you want to review everything, and don’t let multiple years pile up. The $25 annual cost is a small price for maintaining your LLC’s legal standing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I file my annual report before January 1st?

No, West Virginia only accepts annual reports between January 1 and June 30. The system won’t let you file earlier than January 1st.

What if I need to change my registered agent during the annual report?

You can’t change your registered agent through the annual report process. That requires a separate filing. However, you can update other agent information if you already have one listed.

Do I need to file an annual report if my LLC made no money?

Yes, annual reports are required regardless of business activity or income. Even dormant LLCs must file annual reports to maintain good standing.

Can I get an extension on the June 30 deadline?

West Virginia doesn’t offer extensions for annual reports. The deadline is firm, and late filing results in $50 penalties per year missed.

What happens if I file with incorrect information?

You can file an amendment to correct errors, but it’s better to get it right the first time. Use the “With Changes” option to review all information carefully.

Can someone else file my annual report for me?

Yes, anyone can file your annual report as long as they have the necessary information and login credentials. Many business owners have their CPAs or business service providers handle this.

Need help with your West Virginia LLC annual report? I work with professional services that specialize in LLC compliance and can handle your filing efficiently. Check out my recommended providers for hassle-free annual report filing.

Questions about West Virginia LLC compliance? Email me at [Jake’s email]. I personally respond to every message and can help you navigate any complications with your annual report filing.

Remember: Annual reports are a small but important part of maintaining your LLC. Stay organized, file on time, and focus on growing your business in the beautiful Mountain State.