FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2020
Contact:  Kristen Schulze Muszynski
207-626-8400

Secretary Dunlap issues alert to corporations and non-profits regarding misleading solicitations

AUGUSTA – Maine corporations have recently received misleading solicitation mailings with an offer to file annual reports for the corporation, for a $185 fee.

Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap is reminding all corporate and non-profit entities that the Division of Corporations does not mail out the annual report form.

The “solicitation form” from an organization identified as “C.F.S.” looks similar to the Division of Corporations’ annual report form, but it is not prescribed nor recognized by the Maine Department of the Secretary of State and this mailing does not come from the department’s Division of Corporations. Maine corporations have received similar solicitations in recent years from entities operating under various names.

The 2021 annual report is not available until January 1, 2021. At that time, the updated form will be available online and corporate entities will have until the deadline of June 1, 2021 to complete the report filing with the Secretary of State’s office. The annual report filing fee for established domestic business entities is $85, nonprofit corporations is $35 and foreign business entities is $150.

Any corporation that has questions about the solicitation they received is encouraged to obtain advice from a lawyer or business advisor. In addition, those with questions about corporate annual report or other business entity filing requirements can contact the Maine Division of Corporations at (207) 624-7752.