Once your company is set up, you will need:

1. Tax ID (EIN) – free over the Internet or phone.
2. File California Statement of Information (Initial List) – report names of officers or member/managers that must be filed with the California Secretary of State within 90 days after filing original articles, and every year thereafter in the applicable filing period.
3. Read our What’s Next instructions for detailed info about steps to be taken once your company is set up.
4. Company Minutes & Stock Certificates – are included in incorporation. You will have access to documents generated on your client account.

Yearly requirements and fees for California corporations

Annual list (Statement of Information) has to be filed yeach year. We will remind you by email about this requirement 1-2 months before it is due. Be sure to keep updated information with us!

Franchise Tax. Every California company is subject to an additional Franchise Tax that is $800.00 per year.

Resident Agent annual fee is $89.00, but if you pre-pay, we give you additional years for only $40.00.

California additional services

• Registered Agent
• Annual Report
• Mail Forwarding
• EIN (Tax ID)
• More Additional Services

• Why California?
• California Registered Agent
• California Annual Requirements
• California Corporation Statutes: California Corporations Code; Title 1; Division 1, Chapters 1 – 23

• Why California?
• California Registered Agent
• California Annual Requirements
• California LLC Statutes: California Corporations Code; Title 2.5; Chapters 1-14

Do I need a Registered Agent for my California Business?

California has a high state competitiveness in areas of Business Incubation, Government and Fiscal Policy, Technology, Infrastructure, and Environmental Policy. The registered agent services in California ensure that new businesses are able to register in the state and communicate with the Secretary of the State and thus benefit from the overall business climate the state offers.

Why Do I need a Registered Agent in California?

The California corporate and LLC laws requires each and every business entity formed or incorporated in the state, to designate as well as maintain a “registered agent” in the state. The California Code, Corporations Code – CORP § 17701.13 for a business corporation and 2016 California Code – CA Corp Code § 1702 (2016) for a limited liability company enables a California registered agent to facilitate the service of process for business entities planning to register in the state.

The California Corporations Code and the Revised Uniform Limited Liability Company Act also indicate that business entities should have a principal office or a place of business in the state so that they can transact in California. When you hire a registered agent California, the clause for maintaining a principal office is fulfilled.

Note: If a business corporation or limited liability company fails to maintain a registered agent in California state then they will be given a “not good standing” status by the Secretary of State. It is also important to know that if a company loses its good standing for a long period then this can lead to administrative dissolution, which means an LLC or Corporation will lose its benefits.

IncParadise is one of the most reliable California registered agents in the nation. We provide a wide variety of services to new and existing business entities in the state. The services include business formation or incorporation, communicating with the Secretary of State, receiving notices and documents, and also offer additional services that include California, corporate kits, EDGAR filing, amendments of articles, and S Corporation status election among others.

Can I be my own Registered Agent or Choose a Professional Registered Agent for my California Business?

Are you wondering if you can act as your own registered agent? There is a possibility, so let us check what options are available to businesses in the state of California.

Individuals as Registered Agent

According to 2016 California Code and California Revised Uniform Limited Liability Company Act, an individual can be a registered agent for their own domestic or foreign corporation as well as a domestic or foreign LLC. There are certain criteria that needs to be fulfilled like being over 18 years of age and being a resident in California.
An individual acting as a California registered agent will have to maintain regular business hours and accept any and all services of process that are hand-delivered by a state official. You will be required to have a proper mailing or physical address.

Note: An LLC is not allowed to be a registered agent in the state.

Hiring a Commercial Registered Agent

If you are not a resident of California or do not have a physical address in the state then there is another option – hire a reliable registered agent service in California. There are a number of reasons to hire a commercial registered agent. Some businesses choose an agent for service of process only (accepting legal mail) while some businesses desire privacy or anonymity and hence don’t want to list their business or residential address on public record.

IncParadise satisfies and adheres to the regulations that has been established by the Secretary of State and is in compliance with 2007 California Corporations Code Chapter 17-Service Of Process (corp:1700-1702), California Financial Code section 14101.6 and California Corporations Code section 202 , 1502 , 2105 , or 2117.

New company

It is important to know that in the state of California, a registered agent serving 10 or more domestic or foreign business entities is classified as a commercial registered agent. We have represented more than 10,000 business entities across the US are in compliance with the commercial agent requirement of the state.

Appointing a Registered Agent for California?

How do you appoint a California registered agent? Is there a process? We have created a step by step approach that will enable you appoint a registered agent with ease.

1. Agent Requirement

You can appoint a registered agent in California for a variety of services and different types of business entities. You can also hire specific registered agent services in California like getting a physical address so that mails and notices pertaining to the business can be received by the agent. So, the first step is to identify, which of the following options will be most suitable for your business:

• Hire a new California registered agent
• Changing your existing commercial agent in the state

The first step is to identify whether you are planning to hire an agent for the first time in Nevada or you are planning to change your agent.

2. Choose the Order Form

Once you have identified whether to hire a new agent or change your existing agent, it is time to choose an order form. Your options are:

3. Order process

The third and final step towards appointing a California registered agent is the order process. Once you have completed all the paperwork for a change of agent or a new agent, your chosen agent will prepare the necessary paperwork for filing of “Registered Agent Acceptance” using the Resident Agent acceptance form. This will be submitted using our online system called Entity Management Software, where you will be able to see information pertaining to your Registered Agent and the Number of days till renewal.

Why Choose IncParadise as your California Registered Agent?

IncParadise is a reliable commercial registered agent California and we provide our clients or businesses with a variety of services that are targeted at helping them form and run their business in the state. Some of the top services include:

• Fast & Affordable Service – IncParadise, one of the top commercial registered agents in California provides businesses fast and affordable services that include filing of orders the same day through a state of the art system and process. Registered agent services in California are available at just $89 for one year.
• Total Compliance – IncParadise is one of the reliable registered agents in the state as it is in compliance with the state regulations pursuant to California Financial Code section 14101.6 and California Corporations Code section 202 , 1502 , 2105 , or 2117. According to the California Code, we:
  • Maintain a California business license
  • Have a principal residence or principal place of business in California
  • We are registered in the state and hence can provide the Secretary of the State with any business related information upon request
• Protecting Your Privacy – IncParadise as your California registered agent will act as the primary point of contact regarding any communication between the business entity and California Secretary of State. Thus, we are in a better position to protect your privacy and will ensure your company avoids any embarrassing situations like delivery of legal notice by the Sheriff or state government official.
• Expert customer service – If you have any questions pertaining to registered agent services in California then you can contact us on (888) 284-3821.

Can I change my current Registered Agent in California to IncParadise?

If your existing agent is not registered in California or if you are thinking of changing your existing registered agent California to IncParadise then the process is simple. There is an order process and here’s how you can proceed:

Order online

• We as your chosen registered agent will prepare the paperwork for “Registered Agent Change”, sign it and deliver to you.
• It will then be signed by you
• Once signed, the paperwork has to be mailed to the Secretary of State, Business Entities Filings Unit.
• The fee for filing for the change of registered agent California for an LLC as well as Business Corporation is $30.00. Submit the signed form along with the fee and you are ready to transact business in the state!

Change of Agent

What is an Annual Report (Statement of Information)?

There are some states that don’t require the filing of the annual report or list by business entities. Instead of filing annual report business entities have to file to “Statement of Information” in the state of California. In order to file this statement of information properly, you need to know what it should contain.

The California annual report or Statement of Information is a document, which contains specific information related to business entities. The information contained in the “Statement of Information” varies according to the regulations of each state and normally contains information related to owners/officers of a company, business description, registered agent, business address or mailing address among others. Let’s take a detailed look at the information it contains:

Limited Liability Company

Every domestic limited liability company registered under the laws of the state as well as every foreign limited liability company that has obtained the right to transact business within California state will be required to file California annual report also known as “Statement of Information” with the California Secretary of State. The statement includes:

• The name of your limited-liability company
• The file number of your limited-liability company, if you know it
• The name and street address of a registered agent in California pursuant to CORP § 17701.13, upon whom the service of process against the LLC may be served.
• The location or registered address of the principal place of LLC business and this should include the street, number, city, state or foreign country.
• To file annual list, ensure names and titles of all the managers are mentioned.
• The complete business or residence address of a manager or managers of the LLC and the chief executive officer, if any.

The above is governed by the California Code, Corporations Code – CORP § 17702.09

Corporation (Domestic)

Every domestic stock corporation registered under the laws of the state as well as every foreign profit corporation that has obtained the right to transact business within California state will be required to file the California annual list or a “Statement of Information” with the California Secretary of State… The statement includes:

• The name of your domestic or foreign business corporation
• The Secretary of State file number for your corporation, if you know it
• The name and street address of a registered agent like us, upon whom service of process against the corporation may be served
• To file annual list, ensure names and titles of all the chief executive officer, secretary, and chief financial officer, or other equivalent positions of the corporation are clearly mentioned
• The location or registered address of the principal place of business of the corporation and this should include the street, number, city, state or foreign country

The above is governed by CA Corp Code § 1502 (2016)

Is there a Filing Due Date or Deadline?

Laws governed by CA Corp Code § 1502 (2016) for Business Corporations and CORP § 17702.09 for LLC’s has defined specific dates for filing annual report or Statement of Information on time.

Limited Liability Company

It is important to know that every domestic and foreign LLC registered in the state of California will be required to file the Statement of Information annually with the Secretary of State – Business Programs Division. Let’s look at the filing deadlines or due dates to file the annual list in California:

The statement of information has to be filed within 90 days of registering your LLC with the California Secretary of State, and then it has to be filed every two years during a statutory 6-month filing window based on the original registration date of the business.

Example: If you registered your Limited Liability Company on April 15, 2019, then your statement of information will be due on November 1, 2019, through to April 30, 2020.

You can file annual list or Statement of Information with the California Secretary of State – Business Programs Division but it takes a long time to process and this includes preparing detailed paper work and then filing it. Is there a way to file it faster and on time? Yes, SIMPLY HIRE US and we will take care of the filing!
ORDER ONLINE

Corporation (Domestic)

It is important to know that every domestic stock and agricultural cooperative corporations registered in the state of California will be required to file the Statement of Information annually with the Secretary of State – Business Programs Division. Let’s look at the filing deadlines or due dates to file the annual list in California:
The statement of information has to be filed within 90 days of registering your Domestic Stock and Agricultural Cooperative Corporations with the California Secretary of State, and then it has to be filed annually during a statutory 5-month filing window based on the original registration date of the business.

Example: If you registered your Domestic Stock and Agricultural Cooperative Corporations on April 15, 2019 then your statement of information will be due on December 1, 2019 through to April 30, 2020.

You can file annual list or Statement of Information with the California Secretary of State – Business Programs Division but it takes a long time to process and this includes preparing detailed paperwork and then filing it. Is there a way to file it faster and on time? Yes, SIMPLY HIRE US and we will take care of the filing!
ORDER ONLINE

Note: If your business entity is a foreign stock corporation then the due date for filing the Statement of Information would be same as above although the filing form will be different. This statement will be due every year based on the date of registration of the foreign business entity.

If there are no changes in the information like principal address of the business, name of the business, etc then you will be required to file Statement of No Change – Form SI-550 NC.

Is there a Late Filing Penalty of Annual Lists?

If you are unable to submit the annual report to the Secretary of the State by the due date as mentioned then will there be any penalty for LLC and Business Corporations? Let’s take a look into what late submission entails:

Limited Liability Company

If a Limited Liability Company required to file annual list or Statement of Information along with the fee prescribed in California Code, Corporations Code – CORP § 17702.09 fails to file with the Secretary of State then a penalty will be levied.

It is important to know that when an LLC in California fails to file the Statement of Information, the office of the Secretary of State (SOS) notifies the California Franchise Tax Board of the failure to file or late filing. The Franchise Tax Board then assesses the penalty on the business. The amount of the penalty is $250 for domestic and foreign limited liability companies.

The penalty fee is not the only consequence of late filing or failing to file California Annual Report or Statement of Information. The LLC may also face forfeiture or suspension. Once an LLC has been suspended, the business is shown as inactive and this will hamper the operations of the domestic or foreign LLC. It is the Franchise Tax Board that can get your business into active status.

Corporation (Domestic)

If a business corporation filing an annual report along with the fee prescribed in CA Corp Code § 1502 (2016), fails to file with the Secretary of State then a penalty will be levied.

It is important to know that when a domestic or foreign business corporation in California fails to file the Statement of Information, the office of the Secretary of State (SOS) notifies the California Franchise Tax Board of the failure to file or late filing. The Franchise Tax Board then assesses a penalty on the business. The amount of the penalty is $250 for domestic and foreign business corporations.

The penalty fee is not the only consequence of late filing or failing to file California Annual List or Statement of Information. The domestic or foreign corporation may also face forfeiture or suspension. Once a business entity has been suspended, the business is shown as inactive and this will hamper the operations of the domestic or foreign corporation. It is the Franchise Tax Board that can get your business into active status.

What is the cost of filing California Annual List?

The annual filing fee is different for different types of businesses. Let’s take a look at the fee for LLC’s and Corporations:

Domestic and Foreign Limited Liability Company – $20
Domestic Business Corporations – $20
Foreign Business Corporations – $25

Note: If your business entity is a domestic or foreign stock corporation then the Statement of Information must be accompanied by a $20.00 filing fee and $5.00 disclosure fee.

How to File Annual Lists with IncParadise?

The filing process of a California annual report or Statement of Information will require extensive paperwork as you will have to provide every possible detail right from business name to principal business address, name of registered agent, partners, chief financial officer or managers, and type of business among others.

Is there a way to make the process easier? Let IncParadise file your annual reports on your behalf!

Your Benefits are:

• We will send you the notification for the due date and all you have to do is order it on time, so that we can ensure filing on time!
• We will ensure you receive “Reminders” regarding the due date
• We will file it directly with the California Secretary of State – Business Programs Division
• Our preparation of the Statement of Information will be of high professional standards
• We will help save you late filing fee

AVOID PENALTY! AVOID BECOMING INACTIVE!

We at IncParadise, are one of the respected registered agents in the state and will be responsible for initiating the filing of California annual report for domestic and foreign stock corporations and limited liability companies in the state. We have access to the California Online System for filing Statement of Information