Every Texas LLC must file two things with the Comptroller by May 15 each year: a franchise tax report and a Public Information Report (PIR). They're filed together in a single WebFile session — but they are not the same document, they serve entirely different purposes, and missing either one can put your LLC's standing at risk. This guide breaks down exactly what each filing does, where they overlap, and how to submit both correctly.
What Is the Texas Franchise Tax Report?
The franchise tax report is how Texas determines whether your LLC owes business tax for the year. Texas calls it the "margin tax," and it applies to virtually every LLC, corporation, limited partnership, and professional association operating in the state.
The key facts for 2026:
- No-tax-due threshold: $2,650,000 in annualized total revenue. If your LLC is under this amount, you owe $0 in franchise tax.
- Tax rates: 0.375% for retail and wholesale businesses; 0.75% for all other business types.
- Forms: EZ Computation (Form 05-169) for revenue at or below $20 million; Long Form (Forms 05-158-A and 05-158-B) for revenue above $20 million.
Common mistake: Many LLC owners think "no tax owed" means "no filing required." That is wrong. Even if your revenue is $0, you must still file by May 15. Skipping the franchise tax report triggers a $50 late penalty immediately, and continued non-filing can result in forfeiture of your LLC's right to operate in Texas.
See our Texas franchise tax guide for a full breakdown of how the margin tax calculation works.
What Is the Texas Public Information Report (PIR)?
The Public Information Report is a disclosure form — not a tax calculation. Its job is to tell the state who currently runs your LLC: members, managers, and the registered agent. The Comptroller collects this information and forwards it to the Texas Secretary of State, where it becomes part of your entity's public record.
Form 05-102 is the correct form for most Texas LLCs. Entities that aren't LLCs, corporations, limited partnerships, or professional associations use Form 05-167 (the Ownership Information Report).
What the PIR asks for:
- Texas taxpayer number
- Registered agent name and Texas street address
- Principal office address
- Names and addresses of all current members, managers, or officers
The PIR asks for no financial data — no revenue figures, no tax calculations, no ownership percentages. It is purely a disclosure document.
Filing the PIR is free. There is no fee for submitting Form 05-102. The only costs are the consequences of not filing: forfeiture of entity privileges and, under Texas Tax Code §§ 171.251, 171.252, and 171.255, potential personal liability for your LLC's officers and directors.
Important: The No Tax Due Report was eliminated in 2024. If your 2026 revenue is below the $2,650,000 threshold, you now file only the PIR — there is no separate no-tax-due form. See our Texas public information report guide for complete filing instructions.
How the PIR and Franchise Tax Report Differ
They share a deadline and a filing portal, but they are fundamentally different documents:
| Franchise Tax Report | Public Information Report | |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Calculate and report business tax owed | Disclose current members, managers, and registered agent |
| Form | 05-169 (EZ) or 05-158-A/B (Long) | 05-102 |
| Tax owed? | Possibly, depending on revenue | Never — PIR is always free |
| Filed with | Texas Comptroller | Texas Comptroller (forwarded to SOS) |
| Due | May 15 | May 15 |
| If skipped | $50 penalty + 5–10% on tax owed; forfeiture | Forfeiture; personal liability for officers |
One important nuance: the two filings are linked in WebFile. You access the PIR through the franchise tax filing workflow, which causes many LLC owners to treat them as one filing. They are not. Both must be completed — if you start a franchise tax session and exit without finishing the PIR, the PIR is not filed.
Quick reference
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| What | Franchise Tax Report + Public Information Report |
| Who | All Texas LLCs |
| When | May 15 annually |
| Where | Texas Comptroller WebFile — comptroller.texas.gov/taxes/franchise/ |
| Form (tax) | 05-169 (EZ) or 05-158-A/B (Long) |
| Form (PIR) | 05-102 |
| Cost | Free to file; franchise tax may be owed |
| Penalty (tax) | $50 + 5–10% of any tax owed |
| Penalty (PIR) | Forfeiture; personal liability for officers |
How to File Both in One Session
Both filings are submitted through the Texas Comptroller's WebFile system. Here is the complete flow:
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Go to WebFile at comptroller.texas.gov/taxes/franchise/ and log in with your Texas taxpayer number and WebFile Access Code. If you have lost your Access Code, request a replacement from the Comptroller — it will be mailed to your registered agent's address.
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Select your entity from the account dashboard and choose the current report year.
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Complete the franchise tax form. For most Texas LLCs with revenue under $20 million, this is the EZ Computation (Form 05-169). WebFile walks you through the revenue calculation. If your revenue is below $2,650,000, your tax owed will be $0.
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Complete the Public Information Report (Form 05-102). This screen appears after the tax form. Enter your registered agent's current Texas street address, principal office address, and the names and addresses of all current members and managers. Verify that every entry is accurate — an incomplete or unsigned PIR carries the same forfeiture risk as a missed filing.
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Review and submit. WebFile shows a summary before final submission. Confirm all information is correct, then submit. Save the confirmation number — it is your proof of timely filing.
The full process takes about 15–30 minutes for a straightforward LLC.
FAQ
Are the Texas PIR and franchise tax report the same thing?
No. They are two separate forms filed in the same WebFile session. The franchise tax report calculates how much business tax your LLC owes based on revenue. The Public Information Report (Form 05-102) is a disclosure document that updates the state's records on who manages your LLC and who your registered agent is — no tax calculation involved.
Do I file the Texas PIR separately from the franchise tax report?
No. Both are filed through the Comptroller's WebFile portal in a single session by May 15. If your revenue is below the $2,650,000 no-tax-due threshold for 2026, the PIR is the only substantive form you complete — but you still access it through the franchise tax filing workflow.
What happens if I don't file the Texas PIR?
Skipping the PIR — even if you paid all franchise taxes on time — can trigger forfeiture of your LLC's right to transact business in Texas. Under Texas Tax Code §§ 171.251, 171.252, and 171.255, officers and directors of a forfeited entity may become personally liable for the LLC's debts. Reinstatement requires filing all missing reports and paying back penalties.
What happens if I miss the May 15 deadline for either filing?
Missing the franchise tax deadline triggers a $50 late penalty immediately, plus 5% of any tax owed if you're 1–30 days late, or 10% if you're more than 30 days late. The state can also forfeit your LLC's operating privileges for continued non-compliance. Missing the PIR carries forfeiture risk and potential personal liability — independent of your tax status.
Is the Texas PIR the same as the old No Tax Due Report?
No. The No Tax Due Report was discontinued in 2024. For report years 2024 and later, LLCs with revenue below the no-tax-due threshold file only the PIR — there is no separate no-tax-due form. If your LLC owes $0 in franchise tax, the PIR is your only required filing.
Not sure what else your Texas LLC owes?
Most business owners are surprised by how many filing obligations they have. Ortholo's free compliance checker shows you everything you owe, when it's due, and what happens if you miss it — personalized to your entity.
Last verified: 2026-05-11
Sources: Texas Comptroller — Franchise Tax | Texas Comptroller — PIR/OIR Filing Requirements | Texas Tax Code §§ 171.251, 171.252, 171.255