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Annual Reports

California Statement of Information filing rules for corporations and LLCs

California runs the recurring filing on a six-month window tied to the formation or registration month, and the filing cadence splits between annual and biennial entities.

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What California requires

California uses the Statement of Information to keep the Secretary of State record current for officers, addresses, and registered agent information. The filing cycle is not the same for every entity.

Also check

This guide only covers the state record. Use California local licenses and fictitious business names next to check the county, city, and municipal layer that can still create risk.

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  • California stock corporations, credit unions, cooperatives, and qualified out-of-state corporations generally file every year.
  • California nonprofit corporations and California or qualified out-of-state LLCs generally file every two years.
  • A current statement can also be filed when the registered agent, principal office, or management information changes.

Timing and filing cost

  • The first statement is tied to the initial registration or formation, and later statements follow a six-month filing window based on that same month.
  • California's current statement page lists a $25 filing fee for stock and qualified out-of-state corporations.
  • The same page lists a $20 filing fee for nonprofits and LLCs.
  • Failure to file can lead to penalties and to suspension or forfeiture by the Franchise Tax Board.

Local layer that still matters

The California Secretary of State does not handle every small-business filing. Fictitious business names are generally handled at the county level, and many operating licenses are issued by city, county, or state agencies. Use the state filing to keep the entity record current, then check the local layer separately.

What you may need to file

Filing variants broken out in plain terms

Some guides cover more than one obligation or entity class. These cards separate the filing variants so it is easier to see what applies.

Annual Report

California corporation Statement of Information

  • Entities: Stock corporations, Qualified foreign corporations, Other corporation classes that file annually
  • Frequency: annual
  • Due rule: File during the six-month window tied to the original filing month, including the filing month and the five preceding months.
  • Fee: California splits Statement of Information fees by entity type. Confirm the current corporation fee on the filing screen or applicable form before submitting.
  • Method: File online through bizfile Online or use the corporation Statement of Information form.

California uses the Statement of Information to keep the state record current rather than a generic annual report title.

Key requirements

  • Filing window: File during the six-month window tied to the original filing month.
  • Penalty signal: Failure to file the required Statement of Information can lead to penalties, suspension, or forfeiture.
Biennial Statement

California LLC and nonprofit Statement of Information

  • Entities: California LLCs, Qualified foreign LLCs, California nonprofit corporations
  • Frequency: biennial
  • Due rule: File during the six-month window tied to the original filing month, including the filing month and the five preceding months.
  • Fee: California splits Statement of Information fees by entity type. Confirm the current LLC or nonprofit fee on the filing screen or applicable form before submitting.
  • Method: File online through bizfile Online or use the entity-specific Statement of Information form.

The biennial cadence is the main branch that makes California different from a standard annual-report state.

Key requirements

  • Filing window: File during the six-month window tied to the original filing month.
  • Interim updates: A current statement can also be filed when agent, address, or management information changes before the regular cycle.