The Indiana Business Entity Report is a routine compliance requirement, but every year, thousands of Indiana businesses lose their good standing with the state because they forget to submit it. The problem usually is not legal trouble or unpaid taxes. It is a missed biennial filing that can trigger administrative dissolution and create real problems for the business.
The Indiana Business Entity Report is a state-mandated filing required from most registered business entities operating in Indiana. It confirms your business is still active, updates key information on file with the Secretary of State, and maintains your entity’s good standing. It must be filed every two years through Indiana’s INBiz online portal, and it costs $32 for most entities.
Who Must File the Indiana Business Entity Report
- Domestic corporations (for-profit and nonprofit)
- Foreign corporations registered to do business in Indiana
- Limited Liability Companies (LLCs) – domestic and foreign
- Limited partnerships and limited liability partnerships
- Benefit companies and close corporations
Sole proprietorships and general partnerships that are not formally registered with the state do not file the Business Entity Report.
Filing Schedule by Entity Type
| Entity Type | Filing Frequency | Due Date | Filing Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic Corporation | Every 2 years | By end of anniversary month of formation | $32 |
| Foreign Corporation | Every 2 years | By end of anniversary month of qualification | $32 |
| Domestic LLC | Every 2 years | By end of anniversary month of formation | $32 |
| Foreign LLC | Every 2 years | By end of anniversary month of qualification | $32 |
| Nonprofit Corporation | Every 2 years | By end of anniversary month of formation | $32 |
| Limited Partnership | Every 2 years | By end of anniversary month of registration | $32 |
The ‘anniversary month’ is the month your entity was originally formed or registered in Indiana. If your LLC was formed in March 2022, your report is due by the end of March every other year (2024, 2026, etc.).
What Information Is Required in the Report
- Business entity name (must match current state records)
- Principal office address – updated if it has changed
- Names and addresses of all officers, directors, or managers (as applicable by entity type)
- Registered agent name and Indiana address – this must be a physical address, not a P.O. Box
- A confirmation that the business is still actively operating
Most of the information is pre-populated from your existing state records. You’re essentially confirming it’s still accurate and updating anything that has changed since your last filing.
Step-by-Step: How to File Online Through INBiz
- Go to inbiz.in.gov – Indiana’s official business portal for the Secretary of State
- Log in to your INBiz account – or create one if you haven’t already. You’ll need the email address associated with your business registration.
- From your dashboard, find your business entity and click ‘File Business Entity Report’ – it will be available during the filing window before your due date
- Review the pre-populated information – verify your principal address, registered agent, and officer/member list are all current
- Make any necessary updates – address changes, officer changes, and registered agent changes can all be made during this filing
- Pay the $32 filing fee – accepted payment methods include credit card and electronic check
- Save your confirmation number and filing receipt – the state recommends keeping this for your records
The filing is typically processed immediately. Your Certificate of Existence (proof of good standing) is available for download from your INBiz dashboard once the report is accepted.
What Happens If You Miss the Deadline
Indiana does not send reminder notices – the responsibility to file on time falls entirely on the business. Missing the deadline starts a clock toward administrative dissolution.
| Stage | Timeline | Consequence |
|---|---|---|
| Report due date passes | Month of anniversary | Business technically non-compliant; grace period begins |
| Grace period ends | 60 days after due date | State may initiate administrative dissolution proceedings |
| Administrative dissolution | 90-120 days after due date | Business loses good standing; name may be released for others to use |
| Reinstatement required | After dissolution | Must file all past-due reports + pay $30 reinstatement fee |
| Name potentially lost | After dissolution | If another entity registers your business name first, you may lose it |
Administrative dissolution creates immediate practical problems: banks may flag dissolved entities, contracts signed in the name of a dissolved entity may be unenforceable, and bidding on government contracts or renewing business licenses becomes difficult or impossible.
How to Reinstate a Dissolved Indiana Business
- Log into INBiz and locate your dissolved entity
- File all overdue Business Entity Reports (one for each missed period)
- Pay the $32 fee per report plus the $30 reinstatement fee
- Confirm current registered agent and officer information
- Submit and receive reinstatement confirmation
Reinstatement restores the entity to good standing retroactively, but the period of dissolution may still create complications depending on what activities occurred during that time.
Changes You Can Make During the Filing
- Update your principal office address – especially important if you’ve moved or changed your primary business location
- Update registered agent – if your agent has changed or their address has changed, correct it here
- Add or remove officers, directors, or members – personnel changes since your last filing should be reflected
- Update your email address on file – the state uses this for any future correspondence
Common Mistakes Indiana Business Owners Make
- Missing the due date because they weren’t tracking it – set a calendar reminder for 60 days before your anniversary month every two years
- Filing with a stale registered agent – if your registered agent has moved or is no longer available, update immediately. Missed legal notices sent to a bad address are your problem, not the state’s.
- Assuming the state will remind you – Indiana’s system does not send filing reminders. The INBiz portal shows your due date; check it annually.
- Confusing the Business Entity Report with tax filings – these are separate requirements. Filing your entity report does not satisfy any state or federal tax obligations.
- Not saving your confirmation – keep the receipt. If there’s ever a dispute about good standing, you’ll need proof of filing.
How to Check Your Current Filing Status
You can verify your business’s current good standing and see when your next Business Entity Report is due at any time through INBiz. The public business search at inbiz.in.gov also allows anyone to look up the status of any Indiana business entity – including yours.
If you see a status of ‘Inactive’ or ‘Administratively Dissolved’ when you search, reinstatement is your next step.
The Indiana Business Entity Report is one of the easiest compliance requirements to manage – two minutes online, $32, once every two years. It’s also one of the easiest to forget. Put it on your calendar today for your next anniversary month, and you’ll never deal with the headache of dissolution.
