Edmond Hui is a software engineer and serial entrepreneur based in New York who has founded multiple online businesses across e-commerce, media, and information publishing. Before transitioning into tech, he spent years as a commercial real estate professional closing deals totaling over 100,000 square feet, giving him firsthand experience with business formation and entity structuring. He built MyStateLLC to provide the free, state-specific LLC guidance he wished existed when forming his own companies.
Annual Report at a Glance
Due Date
Anniversary month
Fee
$20
Filing Method
Online or by mail
Late Penalty
$250 minimum penalty for late filing
Sos Filing Url
https://www.sos.ca.gov
How to File
1
Gather Required Information
Collect your LLC's current information including registered agent address, principal office address, member/manager details, and business activities description. Have your California LLC number ready from your original filing documents.
2
Access the California Secretary of State Portal
Visit the California Secretary of State website at sos.ca.gov and navigate to the business filing section. Look for 'Statement of Information' filing, which is California's term for the annual report.
3
Complete the Statement of Information Form
Fill out all required fields including LLC name, California LLC number, registered agent information, principal office address, and current member/manager details. Ensure all information is accurate and up-to-date.
4
Review and Pay Filing Fee
Review your completed form for accuracy, then submit payment of the $20 filing fee. The California Secretary of State accepts credit cards, debit cards, and electronic checks for online filings.
5
Submit and Keep Confirmation
Submit your completed Statement of Information and save the confirmation receipt. The filing is effective immediately upon submission. Keep the confirmation for your business records and compliance documentation.
Ready to file your annual report?
Go directly to the California Secretary of State portal.
If you file your California LLC Statement of Information late, the California Secretary of State will impose a minimum $250 penalty, plus potential additional penalties for extended delays. Filing more than one year late triggers a $500 penalty. Missing the deadline for two consecutive years results in administrative suspension—your LLC loses its good standing status, eliminating your liability protection and making it impossible to enforce contracts or obtain licenses. Suspended LLCs also face difficulty opening bank accounts and increased personal liability exposure. The practical impact is severe: you become personally responsible for business debts and lawsuits. California requires the Statement of Information filing by the last day of the anniversary month when your LLC formed (typically due between March and December, depending on your formation date). To avoid these consequences, verify your exact due date through the California Secretary of State's online portal immediately, then submit Form LLC-12 with the appropriate $125 filing fee before your deadline.
# California LLC Annual Report Filing Answer
California LLCs must file Form LLC-12 (Statement of Information) annually with the California Secretary of State. You have two filing options: submit Form LLC-12 electronically through the Secretary of State's online filing portal at onlineservices.sos.ca.gov, or mail the completed form to the Secretary of State's office in Sacramento. Online filing typically processes within minutes and provides instant confirmation, while mail submission takes 7–10 business days for processing. The filing fee is $20 regardless of method. Your annual report deadline falls 90 days before your LLC formation anniversary—for example, if you formed your LLC on March 15, your 2026 report is due by December 15, 2025. Missing this deadline results in a $250 late fee and potential administrative dissolution. Visit sos.ca.gov and navigate to the LLC forms section to download Form LLC-12, then submit it immediately to avoid penalties and maintain your LLC's good standing status.
The California LLC annual report, officially called the Statement of Information (Form LLC-12), costs $20 to file with the California Secretary of State. This $20 fee applies whether you submit your filing online through the Secretary of State's website or by mail. If you miss the April 15th annual deadline, California assesses a mandatory penalty of at least $250, plus potential administrative suspension of your LLC's legal standing. Filing late can jeopardize your liability protection and ability to conduct business. To avoid these consequences, submit your Statement of Information and $20 fee to the California Secretary of State no later than April 15th of each year. You can file online immediately at sos.ca.gov to secure your compliance and protect your LLC's active status.
Your California LLC Statement of Information (Form LLC-12) is due during the anniversary month of your LLC's formation or registration with the California Secretary of State. For example, if you formed your LLC in March, your report must be filed anytime during March each year. There is no specific day requirement within the month—filing on March 1st or March 31st both satisfy the deadline. The filing fee is $20 when submitted online through the California Secretary of State's portal. Missing this deadline triggers a $250 penalty, and your LLC's good standing status lapses, potentially affecting contracts and liability protection. You can file early—up to 60 days before your anniversary month—to maintain compliance flexibility. To proceed, visit the California Secretary of State's online filing system, locate Form LLC-12, and submit your current member and manager information along with the $20 fee before your anniversary month ends.
All active California LLCs must file the Statement of Information (Form LLC-12) annually with the California Secretary of State, with virtually no exemptions. Even if your LLC generates no revenue or conducts no business activity, you must still file to maintain good standing status. The only entities exempt from this requirement are LLCs that have been formally dissolved or suspended by the Secretary of State. Filing is due between January 1 and March 31 each year, with a $20 filing fee. Failing to file results in automatic suspension of your LLC's active status, which prevents you from conducting business legally in California and can trigger penalties. To maintain your good standing, submit Form LLC-12 through the Secretary of State's online filing system at onlineservices.sos.ca.gov before the March 31 deadline each year.
