Delaware franchise tax after March 1: penalty and interest checklist
What founders should check if a Delaware corporation missed the March 1 franchise tax and annual report deadline.
Summary
Delaware domestic corporation annual reports and franchise taxes are generally due on or before March 1. A missed deadline can add a $200 penalty plus 1.5% monthly interest on tax and penalty. Use Delaware's official portal for the balance; Delaware Franchise Desk does not handle penalty relief or state correspondence.
March 1 missed deadline: use Delaware official portal and professional review when needed.
| Ordinary due date | March 1For Delaware domestic stock corporation annual report and franchise tax. |
|---|---|
| Late penalty | $200Published Delaware penalty for missing the annual report and tax deadline. |
| Interest | 1.5% per monthApplied to unpaid tax and penalty according to Delaware guidance. |
| Product boundary | No penalty reliefNo representation or legal-status support. |
First verify the official balance
Use Delaware's official portal or official correspondence to confirm the corporation's balance, penalty, interest and status. Do not rely on a startup dashboard or old reminder email as the source of truth.
Method comparison still matters
Even after March 1, founders often need to understand whether a high number came from the Authorized Shares Method and whether clean Assumed Par Value inputs would produce a different tax amount.
When to use professional help
Use a registered agent, attorney, CPA or Delaware official channel for void status, dissolution, revival, merger, conversion, notices, penalty relief, no-par stock, Large Corporate Filer questions, or uncertain filing history.
Common questions
Can Delaware Franchise Desk remove penalties?
No. It does not represent the company or negotiate with Delaware.
Should I still compare methods after March 1?
A method comparison can help understand the tax calculation, but late status, penalty, interest and account standing must be handled through official Delaware channels.
Related guides
When is Delaware Franchise Tax due?
The March 1 annual report and franchise tax deadline for active domestic Delaware corporations.
Delaware franchise tax minimum and annual report fee
The minimum tax and filing fee numbers founders should separate before comparing methods.
Does a zero-revenue Delaware corporation still owe franchise tax?
A direct answer for founders whose Delaware corporation has no revenue but still received a franchise tax or annual report notice.
Official sources
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