California Annual Report: How to File Your Statement of Information and Avoid the $250 Penalty

The California annual report for LLCs and corporations is also called the Statement of Information. California requires LLCs and corporations to submit a Statement of Information within 90 days of formation. Following the initial report, the due date is every 2 years for LLCs and nonprofits and every year for stock corporations. Statement of Information forms are due within a 6-month period ending on the registration anniversary date. Therefore, the time frame for filing a report varies for each corporation or LLC, depending on its date of formation or registration. Failing to file on time can lead to a $250 penalty.

In September 2026, the cost to file a Statement of Information for LLCs and nonprofits increased from $20 to $25, and the cost for for-profit corporations increased from $25 to $30. These fees are due even if the entity has not conducted business during the given report year. Failure to file the Statement of Information will result in a $250 fine. The fee and the report are separate from the taxes and fees that California charges corporations for doing business in the state.

The statement of information is also not a report on a corporation’s financial status. The Statement of Information is a report required by the state to update the entity’s records.

Does California Require an Annual Report?

Yes. As with annual reports, California requires businesses to periodically provide the state with information. The exception here is that California uses the term “Statement of Information” instead of “annual report.” The state requires LLCs, corporations, and other business entities to file a Statement of Information.

The Statement of Information is used to update the State of California on the management and location of the business and the jurisdictions in which the company transacts business. Similar to annual reports, the state sends no reminders to the filer. Therefore, it is the business entity’s responsibility to determine when the statement is due. Tracking annual compliance filing deadlines in one place is the simplest way to avoid missing a window.

Who Must File: LLCs and Nonprofits Every 2 Years, Corporations Every Year

Every LLC, nonprofit corporation, and stock corporation registered in California must file, but the recurring schedule depends on the entity type. Foreign entities registered to do business in California follow the same schedule as their domestic counterparts.

Filing is required even if the entity is inactive or has no revenue. A dormant California LLC still owes its Statement of Information on schedule.

Calendar Year Deadlines for the California Statement of Information

The due date for the Statement of Information (SOI) for your first year is within 90 days of the California Secretary of State’s approval of your Articles of Organization/Incorporation or of your Foreign Qualification. After the first year, California does not have a specific due date for the SOI. Instead, each entity has a six-month time period during which the Secretary of State must receive the SOI. This six-month time period is considered to begin on the date of your last anniversary of registration and ends on the last day of that month.

To illustrate, the initial Statement of Information for an LLC that was granted by the State of California in March 2026 would be due to the state no later than mid-June of that same year. The next Statement would be due no later than the end of March of even-numbered years thereafter. A similar stock corporation granted by the State of California in March 2026 would also have its initial Statement of Information due by mid-June of 2026; however, it would have to file its Statement of Information annually thereafter. The same rules pertain to nonprofit corporations of California.

Because there is no deadline other than the end of the six-month period, you can file your Statement of Information at any time during that period; there is no need to wait until the end.

What Information Do You Need To Provide Before You File?

You will need to provide certain information about your business before you can file your documents. Some forms require the following information:

• The LLC’s name exactly as registered and the Secretary of State’s entity number (12 digits).
• The address of the principal office of the LLC (not P.O. boxes) and the address of the mailing office, if different.
• A street address in California, if the principal office is not in California.
• The name of the agent for service of process and the agent’s California address.
• In manager-managed LLCs, the names and California addresses of all managers.
• In member-managed LLCs, the names and California addresses of at least one member.
• The name and California address of the CEO.
• A general description of the business.

A stock corporation filing (Form SI-550) requires the names and California addresses of the officers, directors, and the CEO. If you are filing to change the manager, officer, member, or director of the LLC, you may use Form LLC-12NC if you do not need to change any other information from the LLC’s prior complete filing.

You must have either a resident individual or a registered agent located in California to accept service of process. Using a registered agent is the best way to ensure that your statement of information filing is not rejected or to remedy an expired filing.

Consequences for Missing a Filing Deadline

Late filings do not result in immediate penalties. The state of California has a system in which filings are deemed delinquent over a series of steps. Understanding this system can be beneficial.

1. Delinquency notice. The California Secretary of State will send you a notice reminding you to file your documents. The purpose of this notice is to give you a chance to file the documents before you incur a larger penalty.
2. $250 Penalty. If the documents are not filed within 60 days of the delinquency notice, the California Secretary of State will forward them to the California Franchise Tax Board, and a $250 penalty will be assessed against your business. The penalty will be assessed pursuant to the Revenue and Taxation Code, Section 19141.
3. Loss of existence. Continued failure to file documents with the Secretary of State can result in the entity losing its right to exist and operate in California. A suspended entity cannot defend itself in a court of law, and contracts it enters into may be considered void.

Failing to file the documents on time may result in the entity’s suspension. Filing the documents may reinstate the entity. Ignoring a delinquency notice may result in the entity ceasing to exist.

How to Escape the $250 Late Fee

There are several habits that, when practiced, will help you avoid the $250 penalty. Four of those habits are outlined below.

• Write down the anniversary month and the first day of your filing window. About a month before the filing window opens, you’ll receive a reminder to file.
• Keep in mind, there is no cost to update the Statement of Information if your registered office or agent changes, or if your managers change.
• Always open correspondence that you receive from the Franchise Tax Board and the Secretary of State.
• It may seem difficult to keep track of the anniversary dates of the different business entities you own, but it is easier to remember a single anniversary date than multiple dates.

California Annual Report FAQs

What is the Process for Filing an Annual Report in California?

California LLCs do not file an annual report. Instead, an LLC must file a Statement of Information. The first Statement of Information is due within 90 days of the LLC’s formation, and thereafter, it is due every 2 years.

How Much Does the California Statement of Information Cost?

As of the time this article was written, the fee to file a Statement of Information is $20 for an LLC and $25 for a corporation.

When is the California Statement of Information Due?

The Statement of Information is due every two years within a specific six-month period that ends in the month in which the LLC was formed.

What happens if I don’t file my California Statement of Information?

Eventually, the Secretary of State will send you a delinquency notice. If you still don’t file the Statement of Information 60 days later, the Franchise Tax Board will charge you a $250 penalty and other penalties. Failing to file the Statement of Information will eventually result in the suspension of your business entity.

Can I file my California Statement of Information online?

Yes. For Limited Liability Companies (LLCs), filing the Statement of Information online is mandatory. You can file online using the California Secretary of State’s website.

Does California charge a separate franchise tax from the Statement of Information?

Yes. The Statement of Information is filed with the Secretary of State, and the franchise tax is charged and paid to the Franchise Tax Board. The minimum franchise tax is $800, and it is charged annually.