PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Secretary of State A. Ralph Mollis is reminding Rhode Island companies that state law requires them file annual reports with his office by March 31 or face penalties.
More than 30,000 for-profit corporations are subject to the requirement. Failure to file an annual report can result in fines and the revocation of a company's Certificate of Incorporation or Certificate of Authority.
Although the deadline lands on a Saturday this year, Mollis says companies can use the on-line filing tool on his website to file right up until midnight. Every corporation has been assigned its own unique Customer Identification Number and Personal Identification Number in order to ensure security.
"The improvements we made to our website make it easier for companies to do business with us. By providing 24/7 access, we help our customers to do what they do best, innovate and manage their business," said Mollis.
At other times of the year, non-profit corporations and limited liability companies are also required to file annual reports with the Secretary of State's office.
"Corporate record-keeping is one of the duties we have under the law, and our priority is to give the public access to up-to-date information. The business community should be recognized for its contribution to that goal," said Mollis.
The Secretary of State's office works with 60,000 corporate entities that are registered to do business in Rhode Island. The office oversees recording commercial liens, protecting corporate trademarks and providing advice to start-up businesses.
Secretary of State Mollis is committed to making it easier for Rhode Islanders to vote, making it easier to do business and making government more open and accessible. For more information about the programs and services the Secretary of State offers Rhode Islanders, visit sos.ri.gov.
MEDIA CONTACT: Chris Barnett at 222-4293
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