Posted February 24, 2021 in Around the Synod

The information below only applies to organizations in Pennsylvania.

WHAT IS A DECENNIAL FILING

Decennial filings are made every 10 years during the years ending with the numeral “1” (e.g. 2001, 2011, 2021). The legislative intent for requiring these filings is to identify business names that are no longer in use so that they may be reissued and placed back into the stream of commerce. By filing, the organization protects its name. For 2021, the fee for this filing is $70.00. If you choose NOT to file, you take the chance that your name will be claimed by another organization.

DO I NEED TO FILE?

If you received a postcard from the Pennsylvania Department of State, you need to file. You should check the Decennial Database to make sure:

WHY AM I EXEMPT FROM THE DECENNIAL FILING?

You may have not received the letter from the PA Department of State. This happens if a corporation has had officer information forwarded to the Department of State by the Department of Revenue during the preceding 10 years under 15 Pa.C.S. §1110 (relating to annual report information), making the organization exempt. If you have made a new or amended filing with the Corporation Bureau from January 1, 2012 through December 31, 2021 other than a decennial filing, a name reservation, name search, consent to appropriation of name or fictitious name registration you are also exempt. In summary, if you have sent any update to the Department of State that confirms your organization’s existence, you are exempt. You need to verify this by checking the 2021 Decennial Report Database.

HOW CAN I BE EXEMPT IN THE FUTURE?

The easiest way is to file an Annual Report, updating your organization’s officers. This is free, and simple to complete. You can download this form by clicking here.