After you're formed

Recurring compliance deadlines

The same recurring filings Tinker LLC Manager tracks for a sole-owner North Carolina LLC—annual SOSNC report, federal and NC tax, quarterly estimates, and sales tax when it applies. By default, most sole-owner LLCs file Schedule C (not a separate corporate return) and pay estimated taxes instead of running owner payroll.

Not legal or tax advice. Due dates assume a calendar-year filer unless noted. Confirm fees, forms, and dates on the linked government sites. Keep bank statements, invoices, and receipts with your tax records each year. Fees and links last checked July 29, 2026.

Annual

Once a year for most sole-owner LLCs (calendar-year filers).

NC Annual Report (Secretary of State)

Annual

Due: April 15 each year after the year you were formed

Confirms principal office, registered agent, and managers/members with SOSNC. First report is due April 15 of the year after formation.

Statutory fee is $200; online filing is $202 ACH / $203 card per SOSNC (includes electronic fee)

File only on sosnc.gov — ignore junk mail that charges extra “processing” fees

Missing reports can eventually lead to administrative dissolution — confirm cure steps on sosnc.gov

SOSNC — Annual Reports

Annual report due dates

Scam / misleading mailings alert

Federal Income Tax Return

Annual

Due: Typically April 15 for the prior tax year (calendar-year filers)

For most sole-owner LLCs by default (disregarded entity), this is Schedule C with your personal return. Other elections use Form 1065, 1120S, or 1120.

Default path: Schedule C + self-employment tax + owner’s draws — not W-2 payroll

Have EIN, books/P&L, and prior-year return ready

Extensions and fiscal years can change the due date — confirm with the IRS or your preparer

IRS — Businesses

IRS — Single-member LLCs

NC Income / Franchise Tax (as applicable)

Annual

Due: Typically around April 15 for the prior tax year (depends on election)

North Carolina filings depend on your federal tax election. Most sole-owner disregarded LLCs report business income on the owner’s Form D-400 (personal return). Partnership / S-corp / C-corp elections use different NCDOR forms (e.g. D-403, CD-401S, CD-405).

Confirm which NCDOR forms apply for your election

NCDOR — Individual income tax

NCDOR — Corporate income / franchise tax filing requirements

Quarterly

Common for profitable sole-owner LLCs on the default Schedule C path (no payroll withholding). Amounts depend on your income — use IRS / NCDOR guidance or a preparer.

Quarterly Estimated Taxes — Q1

Quarterly

Due: April 15

Federal (and NC, if required) estimated income tax payment for Q1.

IRS — Estimated taxes

NCDOR — Estimated income tax

Quarterly Estimated Taxes — Q2

Quarterly

Due: June 15

Federal (and NC, if required) estimated income tax payment for Q2.

IRS — Estimated taxes

NCDOR — Estimated income tax

Quarterly Estimated Taxes — Q3

Quarterly

Due: September 15

Federal (and NC, if required) estimated income tax payment for Q3.

IRS — Estimated taxes

NCDOR — Estimated income tax

Quarterly Estimated Taxes — Q4

Quarterly

Due: January 15 of the following year

Federal (and NC, if required) estimated income tax payment for Q4.

IRS — Estimated taxes

NCDOR — Estimated income tax

Periodic (if it applies)

Only if you have taxable sales or a filing frequency NCDOR assigns. Mark N/A if you do not sell taxable goods or services.

NC Sales & Use Tax

Monthly or quarterly (NCDOR assigns frequency)

Due: Monthly filers: usually by the 20th for the prior month; quarterly filers: last day of Jan / Apr / Jul / Oct

Register and file if you sell taxable goods or certain taxable services in North Carolina. Register via NCDOR or the Streamlined Sales Tax system. NCDOR assigns your filing frequency.

Confirm your assigned frequency and due dates in your NCDOR account

Check whether your specific goods or services are taxable — don’t assume they are exempt

NCDOR — Sales & use tax

NCDOR — Filing frequency and due dates

NCDOR — Register a business

Streamlined Sales Tax registration

Next steps

Forming a new LLC? See the North Carolina LLC start checklist.

Prefer reminders and attachments on your computer? Tinker LLC Manager tracks the same deadlines on Mac or Windows.