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California Registered Agent
CALIFORNIA REGISTERED AGENT
A registered agent in California is also known as an “agent for service of process” and they are appointed by a business entity planning to register or transact in the state. A registered agent in this state plays a key role by communicating with the California Secretary of State in all matters related to the formation or incorporation of domestic or foreign business entities.
Safeguard your business and maintain anonymity by hiring a reliable business compliance partner, Registered agent in California – $89 for one year!.
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.
What Does My California Registered Agent Do?
The registered agent services in California include a variety of services to domestic as well as foreign business entities. Some of the top services include:
Receiving Legal Notices
An important aspect of the 2007 California Corporations Code Chapter 17 and Chapter 4 of Title 5 of Part 2 of the Code of Civil Procedure is the “service of process” that every registered agent is required to provide business entities with once they are hired. An integral part of the service of process is receiving legal notices. This simply means that a registered agent in California will receive any notices on behalf of the business entity they are representing and pertaining to a lawsuit filed by an individual or another company against the business entity.
Receiving Business Related Notices
There are several documents that domestic and foreign corporations and limited liability companies have to file with the California Secretary of the State. One such notice is for filing of annual reports or statement of Information and it is important to know that the California Secretary of State – Business Programs Division will directly notify your registered agent in California. Since the dates for filing of annual reports or statement of information are different for different types of business entities, businesses are notified in advance. Check our California Statement of Information Services.
Receiving Business Related Mails
A business entity whether a corporation or an LLC in the state of California may receive business related mails from the office of the secretary of state. It is not always that business entities can revert to the mails immediately and hence a registered agent plays the important role of checking mails, and reverting as these mails could really be important from a business perspective.
If you are planning to register domestic or foreign corporation, domestic or foreign partnership, a domestic or foreign limited liability company, or a domestic or foreign professional corporation in the state of California, IncParadise can provide you with the highest standards of registered agent services in California that will help your business gain a strong foothold in the state. Check some of our additional services.
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.
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:
New Agent
Change Agent
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!
Frequently Asked Questions about Registered Agent Service
Do all businesses require registered agent services in California?
According to California Financial Code section 14101.6 and California Corporations Code section 202, 1502, 2105, or 2117, a domestic or foreign stock corporation, a domestic or foreign (nonprofit) Corporation, domestic or foreign Limited Liability Company, domestic or foreign Limited Partnership and Limited Liability Partnership, and Unincorporated Associations registered with the state of California are required to be represented by a California registered agent.
What is a Registered Agent, and why do I need one?
The objective of a registered agent California is multi-fold but the most important objective is to ensure a business entity of company is able to maintain a good standing and continuous presence in the state.
In the state of California, a registered agent by law is required to keep a copy of the Articles of Incorporation (providing for shares), Articles of Incorporation (providing for shares and containing a statement of conversion), Articles of Incorporation (not providing for shares), Statement and Designation by Foreign Corporation, Articles of Organization, a copy of the corporate bylaws, the stock ledger of the company, and a statement that provides the name and address of the actual custodian of the stock ledger.
What is included in registered agent services in California?
A registered agent California provides a variety of services that include:
- Provide a highly secure online account to access business related notifications or for renewal of registered agent services
- Acceptance of service of process that involves receiving all legal notifications
- Share notification regarding due dates for renewals and submission for each business entity.
- Easy access to an online account from where business entities can order additional services including mail forwarding services
- Free upload as well as storage of business entity information like state filings, company minutes, or incorporation documents,
- Ensuring avoidance of late fee or penalty using state-of-the-art technology for tracking due dates for all your businesses.
- Access to account allowing you to easily order renewals or additional services
Can a company use its Registered Agent’s address as its own business address?
If a California registered agent doesn’t permit a business entity to use their address, a company will not be able to use such an address as their own. The said registered agent has to permit the use of their address for which proper paperwork has to be filed with the U.S. Postal Service.
We provide our clients with the opportunity to avail of our mail-forwarding service, which starts at $99 per year. You can start the mail forwarding service today by applying for it online.
What do I need to do if I do my own filings for business registration or incorporation and only need Registered Agent Information?
If you plan to file business registration or incorporation documents then you can simply email or fax us the document. We will fill out all information pertaining to California registered agent, sign it, and send them back for filing.
How can I change my Registered Agent?
You can change your existing registered agent by filling out the Change of Registered Agent form for the state of California and submit it with the Secretary of State, Business Entities Filings Unit. If you are signing up for our registered agent services in California then our in-house expert will help you to streamline the process.
How long does it take to change a Registered Agent in the Secretary of State records?
It can take as long as 2 weeks to process registered agent change although there is a 24-hour expedited service available too. Since we have direct access to the Secretary of State, Business Entities Filings Unit’s online filing system – bizfile California, we can process most orders within 24 hours.
As my registered agent, can IncParadise file annual reports or annual lists?
Yes. In the state of California, all domestic and foreign Limited Liability Companies, domestic and foreign corporations, Limited Partnerships, and Limited Liability partnerships registered or incorporated in the state are required to file a statement of information or annual report. As your registered agent California, we can file the statement of information, if you order it, and on time so that you don’t end up paying a penalty or fine for late submission.
$89 IS ALL YOU PAY FOR REGISTERED AGENT SERVICES IN CALIFORNIA
Simply ORDER ONLINE to begin!
California Annual Report
CALIFORNIA ANNUAL REPORT
Registration or incorporation of a business is one of the first steps towards transacting in the state of California but have you wondered what the requirements to keep your business activities are? A California Annual Report is a document that has to be filed by businesses each year and it is commonly known as the “Statement of Information” in this state.
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!
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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
GET ADVANCE NOTICE OF DUE DATE
ENSURE “ACTIVE STATUS” OF YOUR COMPANY THROUGH TIMELY FILING OF STATEMENT OF INFORMATION
Additional Services
California Additional Services
TAX ID (Employment Identification Number - EIN) - FREE
Self-Service: Obtaining a Tax ID number doesn’t cost any money. You can apply by phone, fax or mail. You can also call toll free at (800) 829 4933 and get EIN instantly over the phone. If you apply by fax, it takes about 4-5 business days. If you apply by mail, it takes about 3-4 weeks. Please find information about Tax ID – EIN here.
Full Service: Do you need assistance with obtaining a tax ID? We can help prepare the form and obtain the tax ID for $45. Order here Tax ID.
S CORPORATION STATUS ELECTION
What is “S Corporation”?: An “S Corporation” is a corporation that elects to be taxed under Subchapter S of the Internal Revenue Code and receives IRS approval of its request for Subchapter S status. As a legal entity (an artificial person), the S corporation is separate and distinct from the corporation’s owners (the stockholders). Under Nevada incorporation law, there is no distinction between a C corporation and an S corporation. The incorporation process is the same. However, the two type of corporate entities are subject to differing federal and state tax treatment. Our cost is $45. Order S Corporation filing here.
CORPORATE KITS
Corporate kits start at only $82.50. LLC and INC. Click here to order corporate/LLC kits for any U.S. state.
FINCEN BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP INFORMATION REPORTING
We can help you submit the filing with FinCEN for your company. Companies formed in 2024 have 90 days to file initial reports after receiving official notification of their creation. Companies existing before 2024 have a deadline of January 1, 2025, for their initial reports. Those established after 2025 will have 30 days to file initial reports after registration.
Let IncParadise efficiently and affordably handle your BOI reporting with FinCEN, allowing you to focus on running your business and avoid costly compliance mistakes.
CALIFORNIA CERTIFICATE OF GOOD STANDING
A California Certificate of Good Standing (certificate of existence) is a document issued by the Secretary of State certifying that your corporation does exist legally and that it is in good standing with the state. We can obtain one for you.
CALIFORNIA APOSTILLE
In 1981, the United States joined the 1961 Hague Convention abolishing the Requirement of Legalization for Foreign Public Documents. The Convention provides for the authentication of public (including notarized) documents to be used in countries that have joined the convention. Apostille of Articles of Incorporation or other document is issued by the Secretary of State. If you need Apostille of Articles of Incorporation the State also charges for Certified copy of Articles.
CALIFORNIA REINSTATEMENT OF CORPORATION/LLC
If your charter was revoked and you want reinstate the company, you have to pay all due fees and penalties and file appropriate annual reports.
Do you need somebody to handle reinstatement for you? Please contact us! We charge just $89 and offer reinstate California LLC and also reinstate California INC. We can find out how much money you owe for state fees.
CALIFORNIA AMENDMENTS OF ARTICLES
The original Articles never changes, so to accomplish a change to the Articles, an amendment to the Articles is necessary. There are times when a business needs to change the information included in the Articles of Incorporation or Articles of Organization. To do this, you need to file an amendment with the California Secretary of State. Some reasons a business may need to file an amendment are to change the company’s name, to expand or alter the company’s business purpose, or to change the number of authorized shares or par value (for corporations only).
FOREIGN QUALIFICATION (all U.S. states)
Registration of foreign company qualifying to conduct business in other states: If your company expects to transact business outside your state of formation, your company may be required to qualify as a “foreign corporation” or “foreign LLC.” We can file the necessary paperwork to qualify your business as a foreign corporation or LLC in any of the 50 states.
Do you need somebody to handle foreign qualification for you? Please contact us!
Read more information about Foreign Qualification here
Foreign qualification fees
U.S. ADDRESS FOR PERSONAL OR BUSINESS USE AND MAIL FORWARDING
Do you need U.S. street address as your mailing address. Mail is forwarded once a week. We offer mail forwarding service based in Las Vegas, NV.
There are two options:
– $150 per year. $2.50 per mailout plus postage.
– $99 per year. $5.50 per mailout plus postage.
BUSINESS LICENSE REPORT
Business licenses are mandatory for every business in the USA to operate legally. You may require federal, state, local licenses, permits, and tax regulations for your business.
Obtaining business licenses and permits is a daunting and time-consuming process as it entirely depends on the business industry, location, etc. IncParadise makes the business license process easy for you by delivering a report that lists the required federal, state, local licenses, permits, and tax regulations. Our expert research team searches, identifies and verifies the local, state, and federal licenses and permit requirements for your business type and location. They then send you the report with a list of these business license requirements so that you can save yourself time and effort.
EDGAR Filing
EDGAR stands for Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval. It is an electronic filing system which was developed by the SEC for increasing the accessibility and efficiency of the corporate filings in the USA. The EDGAR filing system is utilized by each and every publicly traded corporation when they need to submit the important documents to the SEC.
For those who want to have the filings done by a representative like IncParadise, we can assist you with it.
DISSOLUTION
When you decide that you don’t want to continue business with your California Corporation or LLC you should file DISSOLUTION. Dissolution means officially ending the life of your company. The paperwork is different If your company didn’t issue the shares and didn’t start business or if you are doing dissolution company actually doing some business.
LOCAL VOICE MAIL AND FAX. FAX TO EMAIL.
We offer brand-new local voice mail or fax number. We will also issue you a password that will allow you to access the voice mail system in order to retrieve messages and/or set up your own customized greeting. Faxes can be forwarded to your email. Service available in CALIFORNIA: Beverly Hills / West LA, Brea, Burbank, Canyon Country, Colton & Ontario, Covina, Del Mar, East Ventura, El Cajon, Encino, Hollywood / Los Angeles, Irvine, La Habra, Laguna Beach, Long Beach, Moorpark, Oakland, Oceanside / Carlsbad, Orange County, Palmdale, Rancho Bernardo, Sacramento, Santa Clarita, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, South San Francisco, South Bay Area, Thousand Oaks, Walnut Creek, Westminster. More details about local voice mail and fax services.
TOLL-FREE NUMBERS
We offer the best toll-free numbers on the market. Nationwide businesses, mid-sized and small businesses, and families can order toll-free 800 services and get a number that rings directly to your home or business. Redirect it to your fax machine or cell phone and back as you change locations. Track calls on the Internet in real time. Select an easily remembered vanity number for your business. You will get: custom routing, voice mail, inbound faxing, website account management, call recording, lead generation, vanity numbers, national toll-free database search and much more!
Articles
What you receive when filing Corporation or LLC in California
When you file paperwork with California Secretary of State to set up Corporation this is what you will receive:
FAQ
California Incorporation Frequently Asked Questions
Information about California franchise tax or income tax
Any corporation ‘doing business’ in California is subject to the minimum franchise tax even if it is not qualified with the California Secretary of State. ‘Doing Business’ means actively engaging in any transaction for the purpose of financial gain.
If you qualified with the Secretary of State, your corporation is subject to the franchise tax until you dissolve your corporation.
- What is the minimum California franchise tax? Minimum tax is the amount you must pay the first quarter of each accounting period whether the corporation is active, operates at a loss or does not do business. The current minimum tax is $800. For new corporations that qualify or incorporate with the Secretary of State after January 1, 2000, the tax is measured based on their income for the year and subject to estimate requirements. For subsequent years, the minimum tax $800.
- More information about California Franchise Tax.
Do I need to reserve a corporate name?
No. While not required, it is suggested that you reserve the proposed corporate name, prior to submitting documents, because documents are constantly being received and processed and the availability of a name can change at any time.
How do I reserve a corporate name?
The reservation of your corporate name will be handled by IncParadise and is included in the price of our service.
Do I have to renew my name registration?
No.
How do I incorporate in California?
When using our service, IncParadise will file, on your behalf, the required administrative forms and articles of incorporation with the appropriate California agency.
Is a registered agent required?
Yes. The registered agent must either be (1) a natural person residing in California or (2) a corporation which has been approved to serve as a registered agent in the state. As part of our ongoing service, IncParadise does provide a registered agent service option that you can select during the online registration process.
How many Incorporators are required to form a corporation in California?
One or more are required.
How many Directors are required to start a corporation in California?
Three or more, subject to the following exceptions: (1) before shares are issued, the number may be one or two, (2) so long as the corporation has only one shareholder, the number may be one or two, (3) so long as the corporation has only two shareholders, the number may be two.
Are corporations in California required to file an Annual Report?
Yes. An initial statement of officers must be filed within 90 days after filing original articles, and every year thereafter in the applicable filing period.
CA Franchise Tax for LLC
If I am setting up an LLC, when do I have to pay the franchise tax and how much do I have to pay?
As on the CA Franchise Tax website:
LLCs classified as partnerships or disregarded entities are subject to an $800
annual tax if they are doing business in California, or the California Secretary of
State accepts their articles of organization or certificate of registration. The annual
tax is pre-paid for the privilege of doing business in California and is due on the
15th day of the fourth month after the beginning of the taxable year. LLCs must file
form FTB 3522, LLC Tax Voucher, to pay the annual tax.
Due date for first year annual tax:
• A domestic LLC has until the 15th day of the fourth month after filing its articles
of organization with the Secretary of State to pay the first year annual tax.
• If an existing foreign LLC registers or begins doing business in California after
the 15th day of the fourth month of its taxable year, the first year annual tax is
due immediately upon commencing business in California or registering with
the Secretary of State.
When is the Statement of Information due?
The Statement of Information (Initial List) is to be filed with the CA Secretary of State within 90 days after filing the original articles.
Are there any stock restrictions for CA?
California does not have maximum shares or maximum stock restrictions for your corporation.
What is the minimum number of directors for CA corporation?
The minimum number of directors for a CA corporation is 3 except
– Before shares are issued, the number may be 1 or 2
– So long as the corporation has only 1 shareholder, the number may be 1 or 2
– So long as the corporation has only 2 shareholders, the number may be 2
How long does it take to register a company in CA?
The normal processing time for California is 5 to 6 weeks. You can hire a Private Service that can reduce the time to 10 days.
Who can organize a CA LLC?
The minimum number of organizers can be 1. An organizer may be an individual, partnership, limited partnership, trust, estate, association, corporation, limited liability company, or other entity, whether domestic or foreign and need not be members of the LLC.
What can I name my LLC?
The last words of the name must contain limited liability company, LLC, L.L.C., or Ltd.and Co. The name must not contain the words bank, trust, trustee, incorporated, inc.,corporation, corp, insurer, insurance company or any other words suggesting that it is in the business of issuing policies of insurance and assuming insurance risks.
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Incorporate in California
Incorporate in California
The economy in California is one of the strongest in the country with health, education, and business services sectors being the most enterprising in recent times. New business incorporation in California has been taking place quite rapidly with Los Angeles County being quite the favorite for small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
Whether it is favorable business climate or privacy that you seek, the state of California offers lucrative business opportunities. This is probably the reason why the state is considered as one of the fastest for spawning new businesses. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Beacon, business creation rate in California is a good 11.4% as compared to the rest of the U.S, which is at 10.1%.
Why Choose California for Incorporation?
There are several reasons why there has been a rise in company incorporation in California and one of these reasons is the advantages that businesses enjoy. Some of the advantages include:
Asset Protection
Incorporation in California will provide protection to Directors and officers of an organization from personal liability against any business debts or even lawsuits that may arise during the operational phase of their corporation. Such a situation could also arise from the actions committed on behalf of your corporation.
Note: The extent of personal liability exposure will be limited to the amount of initial capital investment.
Flexibility in Management
When you set up a company in California, your corporation will require only three positions to start with and they are: president, secretary, and chief financial officer (CFO). The above mentioned positions can be filled by a single individual. If your California Corporation consists of 2 shareholders then there has to be a minimum of 2 board members.
Tax in California
Corporations in California are taxed at only 9% and other tax benefits are available depending on specific types of corporation being formed.
Flexibility in Stock
One of the remarkable advantages of company incorporation in California is that corporations can sell, gift, transfer, or even purchase shares of their own corporate stock. A California Corporation can also issue stock for property, cash, and other services. Directors have the flexibility of determining the value or net worth of stock, and this stock can exist in a quantifiable form like capital value, property, and liquid funds among others.
Credibility
Company incorporation in California will help in increasing the overall “credibility” of your business, which will further develop investor interest in your organization.
How do you incorporate in California?
If you are planning to set up a company in California then you will be required to follow certain procedures that will aid in the formation of your Corporation or LLC. We at incparadise.net have specialists on our team who can guide you towards setting up or forming LLC, California C Corporation, and California S Corporation in the shortest possible period.
Here is a step by step procedure towards incorporation in California:
Type of Business
You need to identify the type of business you want to start with. You can choose from a general stock corporation, a non-profit mutual benefit corporation, close corporation, LLC, Limited Partnership (LP), General Partnership (GP), or Limited Liability Partnerships (LLP).
Business Name
The second step is to identify a name for your business along with the required suffix, which will indicate the type of business entity you have formed. If you opt for company incorporation in California then it is essential to check up a corporate name and reserve it with the Secretary of State prior to filing your Articles of Incorporation. You can find detailed information on checking names here.
Note: It is important to check because if the chosen name is not available after the submission of the Articles of Incorporation then your incorporation documents will be rejected.
Registered Agent
You will need to name a registered agent who will be responsible for initiating the processing of your Articles of Incorporation. As a California registered agent like incparadise.net, we can receive any and all legal and business related paperwork on your behalf.
Articles of incorporation
You will need to file articles of incorporation, which we can always file on your behalf through the standard process or online or through expedited process.
Date Stamped Copies
As a part of the process of company incorporation in California, we will ensure, you receive date-stamped and filed copies that verify that the state has filed as well as formed your corporation.
Costs and Fees associated with California Incorporation
What would it cost to set up a company in California? Is it expensive? Is it time consuming and exhaustive? All we can say is that “You are in good hands!”