Inc Authority vs File.Business: annual reports
Choosing between Inc Authority and File.Business for annual reports? Here's the honest comparison. Inc Authority typically charges Free for entry-level service plus higher renewal fees. File.Business charges $0 service fee and uses transparent pass-through state fees.
Annual Reports comparison at a glance
| Item | Inc Authority | File.Business |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level price | Free | $0 |
| Annual Reports service fee | Free+ | $0 |
| RA renewal fee (year 2+) | $399/yr | $99/yr |
| Penalty-free guarantee | No | Yes |
| Compliance calendar | Partial / add-on | Included with Pro |
| SOC 2 certified | Varies | Yes (Type II) |
| Founded | 1989 | 2017 |
Where Inc Authority wins
Free formation tier.
Where File.Business wins
- Lower total cost. Aggressive sales calls, highest ra renewal adds up over years.
- Modern platform. Mobile app, public API, document vault, integrations built in.
- Penalty-free guarantee. If we miss a state deadline, we cover the late fee.
- Annual Reports included on Pro. We do not bill annual reports separately.
- $0 service fee always. The state fee is your only formation cost.
3-year total cost (sample comparison)
For a single-state LLC over 3 years (formation + 2 RA renewals + annual reports):
- Inc Authority: $898 (entry-level + 2 RA renewals + state fees)
- File.Business: $298 (RA free year 1, $99/yr after + state fees)
- You save: $600 over 3 years
Migration playbook: switch from Inc Authority to File.Business
We make the switch easy. Steps:
- Sign up for File.Business and choose your service plan.
- We file a change of registered agent with your state (free in year 1).
- We pull your filings from Inc Authority and add them to your document vault.
- Your compliance calendar starts tracking deadlines automatically.
- Cancel your Inc Authority subscription with the cost savings.
FAQ: Inc Authority vs File.Business for annual reports
Is File.Business cheaper than Inc Authority for annual reports?
Yes. Inc Authority typically charges Free for entry-level service plus higher renewal fees. We charge $0 service fee and $99/year RA after year 1.
Can I switch from Inc Authority to File.Business mid-year?
Yes. We file a change of registered agent for your entity and import your existing records. No interruption to your business.
Does Inc Authority have anything File.Business does not?
Free formation tier. We address these gaps through our partner network.
What is the catch with $0 formation at File.Business?
No catch. We make money on optional add-ons (banking referral fees, partner attorney referrals, premium tiers) which you do not need to use to get value.
Recommended add-ons
Most customers add these to keep their business compliant year-round.
Auto-File Annual Reports
Best valueWe file every year, every state, automatically. Never pay a late fee again.
Registered Agent
RecommendedRequired in every state of registration. We forward filings same-day.
Certificate of Good Standing
Most banks, lenders, and partners require this. We pull it on demand.
BOI Reporting
FinCEN requirement. Most businesses still need to file.
Premium compliance, no service-fee markup.
Trust you can verify
SOC 2 Type II audited platform. 220,000+ businesses served. 60-day money-back on service fees. State fees passed through at cost with no hidden markup. Explicit AUP on restricted industries.
A compliance partner, not a transaction
Most providers go quiet after checkout. We auto-track every annual report, registered agent renewal, and license deadline across your entities. The Business OS dashboard keeps your compliance score visible year-round.
Premium experience competitors cannot match
Premium positioning, transparent pricing, no service-fee markup on state or federal filings. Premium positioning, transparent pricing, no service-fee markup on state filings.