A New Jersey LLC usually owes more than one state filing. Every LLC files a $75 annual report. How its income is taxed depends on how it's classified: as a sole proprietorship, a partnership or a corporation. If you sell taxable goods or services, or have employees, you'll also file sales tax and payroll returns.
This guide covers each New Jersey filing a small business is likely to owe, with the current fees, rates and due dates from the New Jersey Division of Taxation and the Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services (DORES).
Key Takeaways
- Every New Jersey LLC and corporation files an annual report each year for $75. Missing two years in a row can get your business's charter voided.
- Partnerships with more than two partners pay a $150 filing fee per partner on Form NJ-1065, capped at $250,000.
- New Jersey S corps pay a minimum tax of $375 to $1,500 a year, based on New Jersey gross receipts. A federal S corp is now treated as a New Jersey S corp automatically.
- Partnerships and S corps can elect the Business Alternative Income Tax (BAIT) by March 15 each year for calendar-year filers. Owners get a refundable credit.
- The sales tax rate is 6.625%, with quarterly ST-50 returns due on the 20th after each quarter.
How does New Jersey tax an LLC?
In general, New Jersey follows how your LLC is classified for federal tax purposes, so the filings depend on how your LLC is set up.
| How the LLC is taxed | New Jersey income tax filing | Extra state charge |
|---|---|---|
| Single-member LLC (default) | Owner reports business income on Form NJ-1040 | None at the entity level |
| Multi-member LLC (partnership) | Form NJ-1065 | $150 per partner if more than two partners |
| LLC taxed as an S corp | Form CBT-100S | Minimum tax of $375 to $1,500 |
| LLC taxed as a C corp | Form CBT-100 | Corporation Business Tax |
If you haven't decided how your LLC should be taxed, our guide to LLC vs S corp taxes compares the options.
Single-member LLCs
A single-member LLC that hasn't elected corporate treatment usually reports its profit on the owner's New Jersey gross income tax return, Form NJ-1040, which is due April 15. New Jersey's income tax rates run from 1.4% to 10.75% (NJ Division of Taxation).
If you expect to owe more than $400, New Jersey requires estimated payments on Form NJ-1040-ES. They're due April 15, June 15, September 15 and January 15 of the next year (NJ Division of Taxation).
Multi-member LLCs and partnerships
A multi-member LLC taxed as a partnership files Form NJ-1065. It's due on the 15th day of the fourth month after the tax year ends, which is April 15 for a calendar-year business.
Partnerships with more than two partners that have New Jersey income or loss also pay a filing fee. According to the Division of Taxation, the fee is $150 for each partner, with a $250,000 maximum. A three-member LLC pays $450 a year.
LLCs taxed as S corporations
S corps file Form CBT-100S and pay a minimum tax based on New Jersey gross receipts (NJ Division of Taxation):
| New Jersey gross receipts | Minimum tax |
|---|---|
| Less than $100,000 | $375 |
| $100,000 to less than $250,000 | $562.50 |
| $250,000 to less than $500,000 | $750 |
| $500,000 to less than $1,000,000 | $1,125 |
| $1,000,000 or more | $1,500 |
You no longer need a separate New Jersey S election. For privilege periods beginning on or after December 22, 2022, the Division of Taxation says a federal S corp defaults to New Jersey S corp status. Some guides still say you must file Form CBT-2553. That's out of date. To opt out, all shareholders must consent to a C Corporation Tax Status Election.
New to S corps? Our Form 2553 guide covers the federal election and the New Jersey registration steps. To see whether the minimum tax wipes out your savings, try our S corp tax savings calculator, which includes it.
LLCs taxed as C corporations
C corporations file Form CBT-100. The Division of Taxation lists rates of 6.5% on income of $50,000 or less, 7.5% on income from $50,000 to $100,000, and 9% on income over $100,000, with a minimum tax of $500 to $2,000. That page notes it hasn't been updated for every recent law change, so check the current CBT-100 instructions before filing. Corporations with taxable net income over $10 million also pay a 2.5% Corporate Transit Fee for 2024 through 2028. It doesn't apply to S corps (NJ Division of Taxation).
What is the New Jersey LLC annual report fee?
The New Jersey annual report fee is $75 for an LLC, a for-profit corporation, an LP or an LLP, and $30 for a nonprofit (DORES fee schedule). You file online through the New Jersey annual reports portal, which adds a $3 card fee or a $0.50 e-check fee.
DORES sets a yearly due date for each business's report, tied to when the business was formed. Check the exact date for your entity on the portal before you file.
Don't skip it. DORES warns that businesses that fail to file annual reports for two consecutive years may have their charter voided (DORES). Reinstatement costs $75 for an LLC ($95 for a for-profit corporation), plus a $20 tax clearance fee for some businesses.
What is the New Jersey BAIT?
The Pass-Through Business Alternative Income Tax (BAIT) lets an eligible business pay New Jersey tax at the entity level. Owners then get a refundable credit on their own New Jersey returns. Our year-end tax planning checklist explains the federal angle.
According to the Division of Taxation's BAIT page:
- Who can elect: partnerships, New Jersey S corps and multi-member LLCs with at least one member who is an individual, estate or trust. Single-member LLCs and sole proprietors can't elect.
- When to elect: every year, by the original due date of the return. That's March 15 for calendar-year filers.
- Form: PTE-100.
| BAIT taxable income | Rate |
|---|---|
| Up to $250,000 | 5.675% |
| $250,001 to $1,000,000 | 6.52% |
| Over $1,000,000 | 10.9% |
BAIT isn't right for every business. Run the numbers for each owner before electing.
New Jersey sales tax for small businesses
New Jersey's sales tax rate is 6.625% (NJ Division of Taxation). If you sell taxable goods or services, you need to register and collect it.
All registered sellers file a quarterly Form ST-50, due April 20, July 20, October 20 and January 20. Businesses that collected more than $30,000 in sales tax in the prior year must also make monthly payments, due on the 20th, for any month with more than $500 of tax (NJ filing chart).
New Jersey payroll taxes for employers
If you have employees, including yourself as an S corp owner on payroll, you'll file these returns electronically (NJ Division of Taxation):
- NJ-927 and WR-30: quarterly, due on the 30th day of the month after each quarter ends
- NJ-500: monthly withholding payments, required when a month's withholding is $500 or more, due on the 15th
- NJ-W-3: annual reconciliation, due February 15
New Jersey also charges unemployment, disability and family leave insurance on wages up to a yearly limit. The NJ Department of Labor has already published 2027 figures:
| Wage base | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Unemployment and workforce (UI/WF) | $44,800 | $46,400 |
| Disability and family leave (TDI/FLI) | $171,100 | $177,100 |
Do you need a New Jersey Business Registration Certificate?
Yes. If you do business in New Jersey, you must register with the state through Form NJ-REG (Business.NJ.gov). You'll get a Business Registration Certificate (BRC). If you collect sales tax, you'll also get a Certificate of Authority, and both must be displayed. Businesses working on public contracts must provide their BRC (DORES).
New Jersey due dates at a glance
| Filing | Due date |
|---|---|
| Annual report (all LLCs and corporations) | Yearly; check the portal for your date |
| NJ-1040 (single-member LLC owners) | April 15 |
| NJ-1065 (partnerships) | April 15 for calendar-year filers |
| CBT-100S and CBT-100 | 30 days after the federal return's original due date |
| BAIT election (PTE-100) | March 15 for calendar-year filers |
| NJ-1040-ES estimated payments | April 15, June 15, September 15, January 15 |
| ST-50 sales tax | April 20, July 20, October 20, January 20 |
| NJ-927 and WR-30 | 30th day of the month after each quarter |
| NJ-W-3 | February 15 |
Dates that fall on a weekend or holiday move to the next business day. Our 2027 small business tax deadlines put these alongside the federal dates, and our 2027 tax deadline calendar adds them to your own calendar.
How Asquaire can help
We're based in North Brunswick, New Jersey, and work with New Jersey businesses on these filings every year. Our tax compliance service tracks your federal and New Jersey deadlines from $99 per month per state. Starting a business? Our LLC formation service starts from $149 plus the state fee, and includes guidance on your state tax registrations. Our founders are ACCA-qualified with Big Four experience. We are not a CPA firm.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the New Jersey LLC annual report fee?
$75 a year, filed online through the New Jersey annual reports portal, plus a small card or e-check fee.
How do I file taxes for an LLC in New Jersey?
It depends on how the LLC is taxed. Single-member LLC owners usually report the profit on Form NJ-1040. Multi-member LLCs file Form NJ-1065. LLCs taxed as S corps file Form CBT-100S, and those taxed as C corps file Form CBT-100.
Do I need to file a separate New Jersey S corp election?
No, for privilege periods beginning on or after December 22, 2022. A federal S corp is treated as a New Jersey S corp automatically, unless all shareholders elect out.
What is the sales tax rate in New Jersey?
6.625%. Registered sellers file Form ST-50 every quarter.
Who can elect BAIT in New Jersey?
Partnerships, New Jersey S corps and multi-member LLCs with at least one individual, estate or trust member. Single-member LLCs and sole proprietors can't elect.
Stay ahead of New Jersey deadlines
New Jersey filings are spread across the year, so put them in one calendar now. Start with your annual report date and your income tax return, then add sales tax and payroll dates if they apply.
Want someone to track them for you? Contact our team for a free review of your New Jersey filings.
This article is general information, not tax advice for your situation.
