California Annual Report Requirements for LLCs and Corporations
In the state of California, what many people think of as an annual report is officially called a Statement of Information. This filing is required for LLCs, corporations, and certain other business entities registered with the California Secretary of State.
For business owners, the important thing to know is that this is an ongoing California business compliance requirement. To remain in good standing, you must file your statements according to a schedule set by the state. You can always file directly through the state’s online portal, but FastFilings also provides a guided B2B filing option that many business owners prefer when they want a simpler way to prepare and submit the required information.
What Is a California Statement of Information?
A California Statement of Information is a required business filing that keeps state records up to date. It gives the California Secretary of State current information about the business, including where the company is located, who is connected to the entity, and who can receive legal notices on its behalf.
This filing is not a tax return, income report, or financial statement. It can be thought of as the equivalent of a corporate or LLC annual report in California.
California uses different schedules, fees, and requirements for LLCs and corporations.
File your California Statement of Informaiton!
California Annual Report Requirements at a Glance
Entity type | Official filing name | First filing due | Ongoing schedule | Current state filing fee |
LLC | Statement of Information | Within 90 days | Every two years | $20 |
Corporation | Statement of Information | Within 90 days | Every year | $25 |
Who Must File?
Several California business filings depend on entity type. For this article, the focus is on LLCs and corporations.
Businesses that generally need to file a Statement of Information in California include:
- California LLCs
- Registered foreign, or qualified out-of-state, LLCs doing business in California
- California stock corporations
- Registered foreign, or qualified out-of-state, stock corporations doing business in California
- Agricultural cooperative corporations
Other entities may have their own Statement of Information requirements. For example, nonprofit corporations generally use a different form and follow a different schedule than stock corporations.
When Is the California Statement of Information Due?
The initial Statement of Information is due within 90 days after the business registers with the California Secretary of State.
After that first filing, the ongoing schedule depends on the entity type:
- Corporations file every year.
- LLCs file every two years.
- LLCs formed or registered in an even-numbered year must file in even-numbered years.
- LLCs formed or registered in an odd-numbered year must file in odd-numbered years.
The California filing deadline also depends on the entity’s six-month filing window. After the first statement, the filing window is based on the month of incorporation, registration, formation, or conversion. The window includes that month and the five months before it.
For example, a business with a June filing month has a January 1 through June 30 filing window. A business with an October filing month has a May 1 through October 31 filing window.
What Information Is Required?
Before you file a statement, it helps to gather the business’s state file number, address information, management or officer details, and agent for service of process information.
An LLC Statement of Information in California generally requires:
- LLC legal name
- 12-digit Secretary of State entity number
- Principal office address and mailing address, if different
- California office address, if applicable
- Manager or member information
- Agent for service of process
- General type of business
- Chief executive officer information, if one has been elected or appointed
A California Statement of Information for corporations generally requires:
- Corporation legal name
- 7-digit Secretary of State file number
- Principal executive office address and mailing address, if different
- Principal California office address, if applicable
- Chief executive officer, secretary, and chief financial officer
- Director information, where required
- Agent for service of process
- General type of business
The agent for service of process receives lawsuits, subpoenas, and other official legal notices for the business.
What If Nothing Has Changed?
A business still needs to file during its required filing period, even when its information has not changed. If the previous complete Statement of Information remains accurate, the business can use the Statement of No Change filing option instead of submitting a full updated statement.
When information changes between required filing periods, the business should file an updated Statement of Information. Common examples include a new agent for service of process, a new business address, or updated manager, member, officer, or director information.
What Happens If You Miss the Deadline?
Missing the filing deadline can lead to penalties and status problems. The Franchise Tax Board may assess a penalty after the Secretary of State certifies that the required filing was not submitted. For LLCs and corporations, the common penalty is $250.
A missed filing can also lead to suspension or forfeiture. A suspended or forfeited business may face limits on normal operations until it is revived.
Statement of Information vs. California Tax Filings
The California Statement of Information is separate from state and federal tax obligations. Filing it does not replace an LLC or corporation tax return, franchise tax payment, sales tax account, payroll tax account, or other tax filing.
How to File a California Statement of Information
Businesses can always file online through the California Secretary of State’s bizfile system. This is the direct state portal for submitting the required Statement of Information.
However, FastFilings offers another option for businesses that want guidance with their California Statement of Information. Our platform helps business owners prepare and submit the required information through a more guided process. This can be useful for owners who are short on time or want help moving through the filing steps.
FastFilings service fees do not include government agency fees.
FAQs
Is there a California Secretary of State annual report?
Yes, but California commonly refers to this filing as a Statement of Information. Instead of filing a corporate or LLC annual report in California, these entities file a Statement of Information to update the Secretary of State’s records with current business information.
Can I file an annual report directly with the state?
Yes. You can file online through the California Secretary of State’s bizfile system. FastFilings also offers a guided B2B filing option for business owners who want help preparing and submitting their California Statement of Information through a more streamlined process.
Do California LLCs file every year?
No. California LLCs and qualified out-of-state LLCs registered to do business in California file their initial Statement of Information within 90 days of registration, then file every two years after that.
Do California corporations file every year?
Yes. California stock corporations and qualified out-of-state stock corporations file every year after the first filing, which is due within 90 days of registration.