Written by Derek J. Markle, Esquire
With the New Year 2021 underway, it’s time for businesses and organizations registered to conduct business in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to prepare and file their Decennial Filing Reports. Every ten years, entities in Pennsylvania are required to submit a Decennial Filing or a Decennial Report during the years which end in the number “1” (2011, 2021, 2031, etc.). These filings are required by the Pennsylvania Department of State, Bureau of Corporations and Charitable Organizations so that it may reissue names which are no longer being used. This requirement applies to almost all profit and non-profit entities and organizations which are registered to conduct business in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, that have not made any new or amended filings with the Pennsylvania Bureau of Corporations and Charitable Organizations between January 1, 2012 and December 31, 2021.
Entities required to file Decennial Reports should have received a postcard dated January 15, 2021, informing them of decennial reporting requirement. However, even if you did not receive a postcard, you are not relieved from filing a Decennial Report.
Entities that fail to file a Decennial Report between January 1, 2021 and December 31, 2021 will lose the exclusive right to the use of their name after January 1, 2022. The entity itself will continue to exist, however, the name associated with the entity will become available for any other entity to use while it conducts business in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
For assistance with completion and filing of your Decennial Report or any other questions related to general corporate governance or compliance, please contact one of our attorneys.