Businesses operating in California as an LLC (Limited Liability Company) or a corporation must file a statement of information with the Secretary of State. Failing to do so will result in the business being fined. The Secretary of State can also suspend or cancel your business license to conduct business legally in California.
As you can imagine, if you operate an LLC or corporation, it is essential that you keep up with this requirement and file your statement of information on time when it is due.
What is a statement of information?
A statement of information is an annual or biennial (every two years) report that corporations and LLCs are required to file with California’s Secretary of State using the California statement of information form LLC-12. Businesses must file regardless of whether they actively conduct business in the state or have been inactive.
Essentially, the statement of information is an annual or biennial report that provides the state with current information about the business organization that includes:
- The organization’s principal officers
- The organization’s board of directors
- The registered agent for the organization
- The type of organization – corporation or LLC
- The address of the primary business location
- The type of business being operated
- The products or services being offered
The California statement of information form is also used when a corporation or LLC needs to report changes that are related to the information reported on the form. For example, you replace several board members with new people. You would need to submit a statement of information with the Secretary of State, even if it is before your annual or biennial reporting period.
Does my California business need to file a statement of information?
If your California business has been established as an LLC or corporation, then you will need to file a statement of information. You will also need to file one if you change your business structure.
For instance, you originally started your business as a partnership. As your business has grown, you and your partner decide converting the structure to an LLC would be more advantageous. Once you convert your business structure to an LLC, you will need to file a statement of information within 90 days of forming the LLC.
For new business startups that are being registered with the state as an LLC or corporation, you must file your first statement of information within 90 days of registering the business.
How often do I have to file a California statement of information form?
LLCs are required to submit a California statement of information form biennially, while corporations are required to file a statement of information annually.
After your initial filing with the state, your California statement of information form must be completed and filed with the Secretary of State by the last day of the month in which the business was initially formed or registered.
So, if you registered your business initially using another structure, and then converted it to an LLC or corporation, your California statement of information due date is the last day of the month that that conversion took place.
Alternatively, if you originally registered your business as an LLC or corporation, your California statement of information due date is the last day of the month in which you registered your business in California.
Do I have to file if my business is established in another state?
Suppose you have an LLC or corporation that is established in another state and have registered to conduct business in the state of California. In that case, you still will need to file a statement of information with the California Secretary of State.
Again, you would file your initial California statement of information form within 90 days of registering your LLC or corporation to conduct business in the state, and then annually or biennially by the last day of the month in which the business was registered.
What if my business is in another country?
Foreign businesses established as LLCs or corporations that want to conduct business in the State of California will need to register their business with the state. Within 90 days of registration, they, too, must submit a statement of information form with the Secretary of State.
Can I submit my statement of information form early?
The State of California does allow LLCs and corporations to file their statement of information form early. The state provides a six-month filing period that precedes the due date. So, if your due date is August 31st, you could file as early as March 1st.
How do I file a California statement of information form?
You can complete the form and file it yourself with the Secretary of State. However, if you make mistakes, you will have to refile the form. Not to mention, the form can be confusing to fill out, and you may not know what information to provide.
If you want to save time and ensure your statement of information form is filled out correctly with the necessary information and no mistakes, you will want to get help from FastFilings. After you complete our straightforward online form, we’ll review the information and use it to complete your statement of information form.
We review the information you provide for accuracy and potential errors. If we discover any, we contact you directly. After filling out your statement of information, we scan and email you a PDF copy to review.
Once you verify the accuracy of the information and electronically sign where indicated, you email us the completed form for us to file electronically with California’s Secretary of State.
When you use our statement of information filing services, we can even remind you when it is time to submit your annual or biennial report to the state.
FastFilings can also provide assistance for new businesses in obtaining their California Seller’s Permit and Certificate of Good Standing. For help completing your California statement of information form, fill out our secure online form today.
If you have further questions or for further information about our services, please feel free to reach out to us using our online contact form.