May 14, 2025

Every incorporated organization in Pennsylvania must file an annual report with the Department of State’s Bureau of Corporations and Charitable organizations between January 1- June 30 every year. Your church WILL need to file a report. While the requirement to file is not new, the penalties for not filing are. Failure to file a report could result in the loss of your incorporated status.  

Filing your report is a straightforward process that should take less than five minutes.  

  • Type the name of your church into the search bar.  
  • Click on the name of your organization when it appears in the search.  
  • A box will appear on the right-hand side—click on File Annual Report. 
  • Next you will need to create a login, which is the most time-consuming part of the process.  
  • Once you log in, you will find your report populated with the information that the State of PA currently has on file for your organization. All you need to do is make sure the information is correct and add any missing information.  

The Annual Report will ask for the following:  

  • Business name– This is the name of your church listed on your Articles of Incorporation. 
  • Jurisdiction of formation– The county and or state where your church is located  
  • Registered office address– Your church’s address where mail should be sent.  
  • Principal office address- The physical address of your church (this may be the same as the registered office address).  
  • Name of at least one governor– This is the Chair of the Board of Trustees (unless otherwise specified in your church’s Articles of Incorporation)  
  • Names and titles of the principal officers, if any – These are the Chair of the Board of Trustees, Secretary of the Board of Trustees, and Treasurer (unless otherwise specified by your church’s Articles of Incorporation)   
  • Entity number issued by the Pennsylvania Department of State – this should automatically generate. If not, then you can search for it here.  

If you run into trouble, you can call the Bureau’s helpline, 717-787-1057. They answer quickly and will respond with email instructions if necessary.