California business owners must keep their Secretary of State records current.
That requirement applies to LLCs and corporations. Missing the filing can trigger a $250 Franchise Tax Board penalty, followed by suspension or forfeiture of the business entity.
The filing is simple. The consequences are not.
Know Forms
California uses different forms for LLCs and corporations:
- LLCs: Form LLC-12
- Stock corporations: Form SI-550
Some general references use “SI-550” as shorthand for the Statement of Information process. The official LLC filing form is LLC-12. Use the correct form for your entity.
The Statement of Information updates the California Secretary of State with:
- Business address
- Principal office address
- Mailing address
- Managers, members, or corporate officers
- Agent for service of process
- Registered agent information
- Entity contact information
The filing does not replace tax returns, local permits, or the California business license process.
File it through the California Secretary of State Statement of Information page or the bizfile Online portal.
Meet Deadlines
LLCs
California LLCs must file:
- Initial filing: Within 90 days of registration or formation
- Later filings: Every two years
- Due date: The last day of the LLC’s anniversary month
California provides a six-month filing window. The window opens on the first day of the fifth month before the anniversary month and closes on the last day of the anniversary month.
Example:
An LLC formed in January can file from August 1 through January 31 of the applicable filing year.
The standard LLC Statement of Information filing fee is $20.
The 90-day deadline applies even if the company has not started operating, generated revenue, hired employees, or opened a business bank account.
Corporations
Most California stock corporations must file:
- Initial filing: Within 90 days of registration
- Later filings: Every year
- Due date: The last day of the anniversary month
Corporations generally use Form SI-550. After a complete filing is on record, a corporation with no changes may qualify to file a Statement of No Change.
Corporation filing fees differ from LLC fees. Confirm the current amount through the Secretary of State forms and fees resources.
Avoid $250
For an LLC, the normal filing cost is $20.
Missing the deadline can result in a $250 penalty assessed by the Franchise Tax Board. The penalty applies on top of the required filing fee and any professional service charges.
The cost increases when the filing remains unresolved:
- The Secretary of State identifies the missing filing.
- The business receives a delinquency notice.
- The Franchise Tax Board may assess the $250 penalty.
- Continued noncompliance may lead to suspension or forfeiture.
- The entity may lose the right to conduct business in California.
Do not treat the notice as routine mail.
A suspended or forfeited business may face problems with:
- Business banking
- Contracts
- Vendor accounts
- Financing
- State licenses
- Insurance policies
- Legal claims
- Tax filings
- Government registrations
The Secretary of State specifically warns that failure to file may result in penalties, suspension, or forfeiture. Review the state’s Statement of Information filing guidance.
Update Changes
File an updated Statement of Information when key business information changes.
Do not wait for the next regular filing window if you change:
- Registered agent
- Agent for service of process
- Business address
- Mailing address
- Principal office
- Managers
- Members
- Corporate officers
The registered agent receives official legal and government notices. An outdated agent address creates a direct compliance risk.
Business owners searching for registered agent San Bernardino support or a California registered agent service need more than an address. They need reliable handling of state notices, filing deadlines, and entity records.
MCG Service LLC provides Registered Agent Service for business owners who need a consistent point of contact for official documents.
Track Compliance
The Statement of Information is one part of ongoing business compliance.
A complete compliance calendar should track:
- Statement of Information deadlines
- Federal tax returns
- California tax returns
- Franchise Tax Board payments
- Payroll tax filings
- 1099 e-filing
- Business license renewals
- Insurance renewals
- Registered agent records
- Annual report requirements
- Ownership and officer changes
A California business license is also separate from the Statement of Information. Cities and counties may require local registration, permits, or renewals based on the business location and activity.
Do not assume that completing LLC formation California eliminates later filings. Formation starts the compliance process. It does not complete it.
The same applies to:
- LLC formation San Bernardino
- LLC formation San Bernardino CA
- Start an LLC California
- Start a business California
- Business formation San Bernardino
- Business formation California
- Business registration California
- Company formation California
Every entity requires ongoing maintenance after registration.
Fix Notices
Received a delinquency notice?
Take these steps:
- Confirm the entity name and Secretary of State number.
- Identify the missing filing period.
- Check the registered agent and business address.
- Confirm whether the entity is suspended or forfeited.
- File the required Statement of Information.
- Resolve the Franchise Tax Board penalty.
- Verify the entity’s status after processing.
- Update the compliance calendar.
Do not dissolve and recreate the company without reviewing the consequences. A new registration may not resolve tax obligations, penalties, contracts, or prior filings connected to the original entity.
If the entity has already been suspended or forfeited, additional reinstatement steps may apply. Review the Secretary of State’s delinquency and suspension resources before taking action.
Use Support
MCG Service LLC helps small businesses manage formation, filing, tax, and administrative requirements.
Services include:
- Business startup services San Bernardino
- LLC filing service San Bernardino
- LLC registration San Bernardino
- EIN application San Bernardino
- EIN service California
- Registered agent San Bernardino
- California registered agent service
- California business license help
- Business license California
- Business compliance services California
MCG Service LLC also supports more complex entity decisions and filings, including:
- S Corp election California
- Form 2553 filing service
- Nonprofit formation California
- Corporation formation California
- C Corp formation California
- S Corp formation California
- Partnership formation California
Formation decisions should connect to tax planning, payroll, insurance, bookkeeping, and long-term financial control.
MCG Service LLC provides small business tax services and CFO-level financial guidance so owners can coordinate compliance obligations with cash flow, tax strategy, payroll, and business structure.
Take Action
Check your entity record now.
Confirm:
- Entity type
- Formation or registration month
- Last Statement of Information filing
- Next filing window
- Registered agent
- Business address
- Mailing address
- Current entity status
File before the deadline. Correct outdated information immediately. Respond to every state notice.
Do not spend $250 to correct a filing that costs $20 to complete.
Contact MCG Service LLC at 909-245-0558 for California business compliance support, registered agent assistance, Statement of Information filings, small business tax services, and CFO-level financial guidance.