How do I track which states my company is registered in?

State compliance feature shows every US state where your company has an active registration, tracked in a single dashboard alongside its filing deadlines and compliance status.

As a company grows and starts operating, hiring, or earning revenue in states beyond where it was incorporated, it takes on separate registration and filing obligations in each of those states. Without a single place to track this, it becomes easy to miss a deadline or lose track of which states you are even registered in.

The overview tiles

Three tiles at the top give you the headline read for the selected entity:

• States tracked: how many jurisdictions this entity is registered in
• Open items to resolve: how many items need your attention, and across how many states
• Next deadline: the soonest upcoming or overdue filing, with a File now shortcut

The "Your states" table

Below the tiles, the table lists every state you track:

• State: the state name and how your entity is registered there. Your home state is marked with a home icon and labelled "Incorporated in this state." States you've expanded into show as "Foreign corporation."
• Filing deadline: the next due date for that state. Past-due dates are flagged Overdue in red
• Status: whether Inkle has everything it needs. "Missing info" means we're waiting on something from you
• RA status: your registered agent in that state
• Action: Start filing or View details, depending on what the state needs next

Adding a state

Select + Add state at the top right of Your states. A three-step wizard walks you through it. 

Step 1: Select state. Search for and select the state you're adding, then choose Continue.

Step 2: Registration status. Tell Inkle whether you're already operating in that state:

• Not yet, help me register: Inkle handles the full registration for you, Secretary of State, registered agent, and more
• Already registered, just track it: you've completed the registration yourself and Inkle adds the state to your dashboard and tracks its deadlines

Select Continue.

Step 3: Services. Tell Inkle what's set up in that state so it can track the right deadlines. Each service is a card you can expand and fill in, or mark Not applicable if it doesn't apply:

• Secretary of State (registered agent included): add your SOS number, supporting docs, and foreign qualification date so Inkle can track your annual report and Statement of Information deadlines. In the same card, add your registered agent details: agent name, start and expiration dates, address, and phone number
• Payroll: add your SUI and UID numbers and upload your payroll registration document so Inkle can track your state payroll filing obligations

Select Save changes on each card as you complete it, then Done. The state now appears in 

Your states with its deadlines, status, and registered agent tracked. 

If you chose "Not yet, help me register," or started from Register in a new state in Quick Actions, Inkle handles the foreign qualification, registered agent, and payroll registration for you from start to finish.

Moving your registered agent to Inkle

If a state's RA status shows External RA, your registered agent is currently outside Inkle. To hand it over, select Move to Inkle on that state's row. This opens your cart with the registered agent service for that state already added. Complete the payment and Inkle takes over as your registered agent there, so state mail and official notices arrive in Inkle alongside everything else.

Finding a state quickly

Use Search states to jump to a specific state, or the Open items filter to narrow the table to only the states that need attention.

FAQ

What is foreign qualification?‍

It's the process of registering your company to legally operate in a state outside the one where it was originally incorporated.

Do I need to register in every state I do business in?‍

Generally yes, if you have employees, an office, or meet a state's economic nexus threshold there.

What happens if I don't register in a state where I'm required to?‍

You risk penalties, back taxes, and loss of good standing, and may be unable to enforce contracts in that state.

How do I know which states I'm already registered in?‍

Inkle's State Compliance dashboard lists every state you're registered in along with your filing status and deadlines.

Does foreign qualification cost money?‍

Yes, most states charge a filing fee, and some require ongoing annual report fees to maintain registration.