Delaware franchise tax and annual report deadline
Delaware · Annually · By March 1
Delaware corporations file their annual report and pay the franchise tax online by March 1 each year. Missing it costs a $200 penalty plus interest of 1.5% a month on the tax and penalty.
Check the date against your own records.
How much
- Authorized Shares Method: a minimum of $175
- Assumed Par Value Capital Method: a minimum of $400
- Either way, the maximum is $200,000
- The annual report filing fee is $50, or $25 for exempt domestic corporations
Picking the method
The Authorized Shares Method looks only at how many shares you're authorized to issue: $175 up to 5,000 shares, $250 up to 10,000, then $85 for each further 10,000. For a startup with millions of authorized shares that adds up fast. The Assumed Par Value Capital Method uses all your issued shares and your total gross assets from Form 1120 Schedule L, at $400 per million of assumed par value capital. Delaware says to use whichever gives the lesser tax, so work out both before you pay.
If you're late
Delaware adds a $200 penalty and 1.5% interest a month on the unpaid tax and penalty.
LLCs
Delaware LLCs don't file an annual report. They pay a flat annual tax by June 1 instead.
Also on the calendar
Your federal corporate tax return is due by April 15 for a calendar year, and each other state you're registered in has its own annual report.
Get reminded before it's due
Regmindr tracks this alongside the rest of your compliance calendar, and emails your team before each deadline.
Sources
- Delaware Division of Corporations: Annual report and tax information
- Delaware Division of Corporations: How to calculate franchise taxes
This page is a summary, not legal or regulatory advice. The rules in the sources above take precedence.