In short
- California's version of an "annual report" is called the Statement of Information.
- The first one, sometimes called the initial report, is due within 90 days of forming.
- After that, stock corporations file every year and LLCs every two years.
- The fee is $25 for a stock corporation and $20 for an LLC.
- Not filing can lead to a $250 penalty, and the Secretary of State can also suspend the company.
- The Secretary of State warns that some private companies mail look-alike offers to file it for a much higher fee.
What the Statement of Information is
It is a short public filing with the Secretary of State, the office that keeps California's official list of businesses. It keeps the company's record current.
For an LLC, the form asks for the company's addresses, the names and addresses of its managers or members, its agent for service of process and a short description of its business. An agent for service of process, often called a registered agent, is the person or company that accepts lawsuits and other legal papers for the business. A corporation's form asks for similar information about its officers and directors.
The information is public. The Secretary of State says documents filed with it "are available to the public for viewing and copying."
Sources: the Secretary of State's form LLC-12 and public information FAQs.
"Annual report" and "initial report": same filing, California name
Many people search for a California "annual report" or "initial report." The Secretary of State does not use those names for this filing. It calls it the Statement of Information. The first one is the one people often call the initial report.
The official form names are:
- Form SI-550 for a stock corporation
- Form LLC-12 for an LLC
It is also not the same as annual minutes. Minutes are records a corporation keeps. The Secretary of State says "annual meeting minutes are not filed with our office." Our annual minutes guide explains the difference.
Every company's situation is different. A licensed attorney or tax professional can tell you what applies to yours.
Statement of Information due dates
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The first one: within 90 days
The Secretary of State says the first Statement of Information is due within 90 days of the company's first registration with its office.
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After that: every year or every two years
A stock corporation files every year. An LLC files every two years. The Secretary of State says the filing period "includes the registration month and the immediately preceding five (5) months." Its Statements of Information page has a table of filing periods by month.
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The reminder
The Secretary of State says it "sends a reminder to the business entity approximately three months prior to the date its filing is due." It also says a company has to file even if the reminder never arrives.
Sources: the Secretary of State's corporation and LLC Statement of Information pages, form LLC-12 and business entity FAQs.
A reminder: this is general information. Before making a decision about your own company, talk to a licensed California attorney or tax professional.
What it costs
| Item | Amount | Which office |
|---|---|---|
| Statement of Information, stock corporation | $25 | Secretary of State |
| Statement of Information, LLC | $20 | Secretary of State |
| Penalty for not filing | $250 | Collected by the Franchise Tax Board |
Sources: the Secretary of State's misleading solicitations page, which lists both fees, and the Franchise Tax Board's penalties and interest page.
If it is not filed
The Secretary of State describes two separate steps.
First, the $250 penalty
The Secretary of State says a company that files late gets a notice of delinquency. If nothing is filed within 60 days after that notice, the Secretary of State tells the Franchise Tax Board, which charges and collects the $250 penalty. The Franchise Tax Board says only the Secretary of State can waive that penalty.
Then, possible suspension
The Secretary of State can also suspend the company. The Secretary of State sends a Notice of Pending Suspension first. Its FAQ says the Statement of Information must be received and filed "no later than 60 days from the Notice Date" on that notice to avoid suspension. Our suspension guide explains what happens after that.
Sources: the Secretary of State's business entity FAQs and the Franchise Tax Board's penalties and interest page.
Filing online now needs User Access
The Secretary of State says: "Effective August 1, 2026, web User Access is required for Statement of Information filings." The option to file only shows for users who have that access. User Access is the Secretary of State's way of letting a company control who can file for it on bizfile Online, the state's filing website. Its bizfile page explains more.
For the filing steps themselves, Corpgate, Inc.'s how-to-file guide on corpgate.com walks through them.
Look-alike letters
Many new companies get mail that looks like it came from the state. The Secretary of State warns that some private companies mail offers to file the Statement of Information, made "to appear similar to our Statement of Information form." It says these companies "are in no way affiliated with the Secretary of State or any other government agency."
One sample letter the Secretary of State describes:
- shows a form number in bold in the upper left and a year in the upper right, to look like an official tax return form,
- charges a "Service Process Fee" of nearly 10 times the state's own fee, and
- quotes California law, some of it accurate and some of it false.
The Secretary of State says "no business is required to go through another company in order to file its documents" with its office.
The Secretary of State says complaints go to the California Attorney General, Public Inquiry Unit, P.O. Box 944255, Sacramento, CA 94244-2550, with the entire mailing, including the envelopes.
Sources: the Secretary of State's misleading solicitations page and business entity FAQs.
Before you file or pay anything based on this page, confirm the details with the official source or a licensed professional.
Questions about the Statement of Information
Does California require an annual report?
California's filing is called the Statement of Information. A stock corporation files it every year, and an LLC files it every two years, with the Secretary of State.
What is an initial Statement of Information?
It is the first Statement of Information a new company files. The Secretary of State says it is due within 90 days of the company's first registration.
How much does the Statement of Information cost?
The Secretary of State's fee is $25 for a stock corporation and $20 for an LLC.
What is the penalty for not filing the Statement of Information?
The Franchise Tax Board lists the penalty as $250 ($50 for exempt organizations). The Secretary of State says a late filer first gets a notice of delinquency, and the Franchise Tax Board is told if nothing is filed within 60 days after that notice.
Why did I get a letter charging far more than the state's fee to file my Statement of Information?
The Secretary of State warns that some private companies mail offers made to look like its form. It says they are not affiliated with any government agency and that no business is required to use another company to file with its office.
Is the Statement of Information the same as annual minutes?
No. The Statement of Information is filed with the Secretary of State. Minutes are records a corporation keeps, and the Secretary of State says annual meeting minutes are not filed with its office.
Related guides
About this information
Corpgate, Inc. is not a law firm or a tax professional and does not give legal or tax advice. This page is general information about California business filings, drawn from official government sources, and it may not fit your situation. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship with anyone. Fees, deadlines and rules change; check the official source linked on this page before you act. For advice about your own corporation or LLC, talk to a licensed California attorney or tax professional. Corpgate, Inc. provides registered agent service and does not prepare legal documents.