Starting this year (2025), annual reports will be required by Pennsylvania. This applies to all churches.

Failure to comply could result in an automatic dissolution/termination/cancellation of the organization and loss of the protection of the organization’s name, meaning a new organization can come in and take the name previously used by the church. 

This annual filing is free for churches. The report can be filed anytime between January 1 – June 30. The deadline to complete this filing process will be June 30 each year (for filing of the past calendar year info).

How to file the required PA Annual Report online:

1. Register an account for Business Filing Services (BFS) if you are new user https://hub.business.pa.gov/Login

1. 1. Click the Register Button on the right side of the page
   2. Follow the prompts
   3. If needed, here are Instructions: Customer Portal Overview

2. Once the login is created, Log in at file.dos.pa.gov and search for your company name under “Business Search.”

1. 1. Search for “Your Church’s legal name.” You will click on the active one listed there.
   2. When you click on your church’s name a popup box will show up on the right.

3. Click on the icon for Annual Report (No PIN access is required to file an Annual Report.)
4. Click “Complete Annual Report” in the menu tabs across the middle of the page.
5. Complete the Annual Report form online and submit. There is no fee for churches.
6. After the Annual Report is processed, the Form and Acknowledgement Letter will be available for immediate download or will be emailed. You also will receive an email with instructions on how to log into the BFS portal to retrieve your filed document under “My Work Queue.”

Further help, with step-by-step instructions and screen shots, can be found at How to File an Annual Report (PDF).

Once you log in, the church will need the following information:

• Federal ID Number
• State Entity Number if known
• Initial filing date, which can be found in the Business Search section explained above
• Registered Office address
• Principal Office address
• Who would be listed as the Governor of Church (responsible for decisions)
• Who the officers of the church are (President, Treasurer, Recording Secretary)

You can submit online and print out the filings. Once you have a user account created it is a straightforward process that walks you through all the needed info.

The new annual report requirement is a significant change for Pennsylvania and should be taken seriously by churches whose incorporation is held in PA. Again, the deadline to complete this annual filing is June 30.