One requirement of maintaining an LLC or corporation in California is filing a Statement of Information, commonly known as an Annual Report in many states. The Statement of Information confirms and updates the company’s information with the Secretary of State, such as the name and address of the registered agent, principal office address, and information of the company’s officers, directors, members, or managers.
The Statement of Information is different from the Initial Statement of Information, which is the document that is due within 90 days after filing the Articles of Incorporation (corporation) or Articles of Organization (LLC)
Related: How To Form An LLC In California
Who Needs to File a Statement of Information?
Domestic and foreign corporations and LLCs are required to file a Statement of Information each year after the year the company was formed.
What is Needed to File a California Statement of Information?
You can file your Corporation and LLC Statement of Information online or by mail. To file online, visit the California Secretary of State’s website; otherwise, you can fill out the Statement of Information by downloading and filling out Form SI-550 (Corporations) or Form LLC-12 (LLCs)
The report asks for information such as:
- Legal name of the business entity
- The entity’s Secretary of State File Number. You can find your Entity Number by doing a California name search
- Name and street address (P.O. Boxes are not allowed) of the California Agent for Service of Process (known in most states as a Registered Agent)
- Address of the principal place of business (No P.O. Boxes)
- Corporations – Names, titles, and addresses of Officers and Directors
- LLCs – Names, titles, and addresses of Members or Managers
- Type of Business – Enter the business purpose of the company.
Statement of Information Cost
The filing fee for a corporation’s Statement of Information is $25, while the cost for LLCs is $20. This is in addition to the annual Franchise Tax.
Statement of Information Due Date
Approximately 6-8 weeks before the due date, the California Secretary of State will mail a reminder that the Statement of Information is due. Even though a reminder is sent, it’s important to make an additional reminder for yourself should you not receive it.
Due dates vary by entity.
The Statement of Information is due based on the year of registration. If the entity registered in an odd-numbered year, file every odd-numbered year, and if you filed in an even-numbered year, file in an even-numbered year.
For example, if your California LLC were formed on January 1, 2025, the Biennial Report would be due January 31, 2026 (and every two years after that). Filing may be made 6 months in advance.
Standard submission by mail is 5 business days, while online reports are processed immediately.
California Statement of Information FAQs
My business made little or no money. Do I still have to file the Statement of Information?
Even if your California corporation or LLC received no income or business activity, the Statement of Information still needs to be filed.
What happens if you don’t file the Statement of Information?
If the Statement of Information is not filed within 60 days of the due date, the entity will no longer be considered to be in good standing with the Secretary of State’s office. Should the LLC or corporation be sued, the members may be held personally liable for not being in good standing. Eventually, without filing, the California Secretary of State will administratively dissolve the entity.
In addition, the California Franchise Tax Board may assess penalties for failure to file the required Statement of Information with the Secretary of State.
California Secretary of State Contact Information
The mailing address for the California Statement of Information is:
California Secretary of State
Business Programs Division
P.O. Box 944230
Sacramento, CA 94244-2300
If you have questions, they can be contacted at 916-657-5448.