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FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions For California
Name Endings
1. Do I have to use a designator in my corporation name?
No, California is one of a few states the do not require Inc or Corp at the end of your company name.
2. Can I use BANK as my corporation name?
You can use Bank, Trust or Trustee with the Superintendent of Bank's approval
3. What are the designators for a Limited Liability Company name?
The name of an LLC must end with Limited Liability Company, LLC, or L.L.C.
Article Requirements
1. How many Directors and Officers do I need for my Corporation?
The minimum number is not less than three, unless there are only one or two shareholders of
record. Then the number of directors may be less than three but not less than the number of
shareholders.
2. Can I have as many shares of stocks as I want?
Shares or par value does not effect initial filing fees.
3. Do managers and member need to be listed on the LLC Articles of Organization?
Members and managers are not required to be listed in the articles of organization.
4. What is the difference between a Manager and a Member for an LLC?
Managers are employees of the company and members are owners. A Manager may be an owner.
5. Who is the Incorporator or Organizer?
IncSmart.biz and the filers are the Incorporators and Organizers for your new entity. It is the person
that completes and signs the articles and submits them to the Secretary of State. The Incorporator's
and Organizer's duties and title end after filing.
Taxes and Fees
1. Does California have annual fees and reports?
The Statement of Information for officers or member/managers must be filed with the California
Secretary of State within 90 days after filing original articles, and every year thereafter in the
applicable filing period.
2. What are the California Franchise taxes?
The annual Franchise Fee is $800 per year. The first payment must be made within 3 months of
forming your Limited Liability Company, and the following year for a Corporation.
Compliance Requirements
1. Will California require me to have a local bank account?
No, but to open a bank account in California, the company must be registered with the Secretary of
State office.
2. Does California require me a local business address?
California Articles of Incorporation do not ask for an address.
3. What are the California annual maintenance fees?
Filing Process
1. What is the process to file a new company in California?
The California Secretary of State averages around six (6) weeks to file new articles. They also have
an expedite service that can reduce your time to less than 6 days.
California Order Forms
1. California Corporations
2. California Limited Liability Companies
3. California Doing Business As (DBA)
4. California UCC Statement
6. California Foreign Qualification
7. California Mail Forwarding Service
8. California Bookkeeping Service
9. California Amendment
WARNING - MAIL FROM THE COMPLIANCE ANNUAL MEETINGS BOARD, BUSINESS DIVISION, AT PO
BOX 12012 HEMET CA 92546 IS A SCAM. IT LOOKS LIKE AN OFFICIAL CALIFORNIA NOTICE, BUT
IT'S NOT.
1. Do I have to use a designator in my corporation name?
No, California is one of a few states the do not require Inc or Corp at the end of your company name.
2. Can I use BANK as my corporation name?
You can use Bank, Trust or Trustee with the Superintendent of Bank's approval
3. What are the designators for a Limited Liability Company name?
The name of an LLC must end with Limited Liability Company, LLC, or L.L.C.
Article Requirements
1. How many Directors and Officers do I need for my Corporation?
The minimum number is not less than three, unless there are only one or two shareholders of
record. Then the number of directors may be less than three but not less than the number of
shareholders.
2. Can I have as many shares of stocks as I want?
Shares or par value does not effect initial filing fees.
3. Do managers and member need to be listed on the LLC Articles of Organization?
Members and managers are not required to be listed in the articles of organization.
4. What is the difference between a Manager and a Member for an LLC?
Managers are employees of the company and members are owners. A Manager may be an owner.
5. Who is the Incorporator or Organizer?
IncSmart.biz and the filers are the Incorporators and Organizers for your new entity. It is the person
that completes and signs the articles and submits them to the Secretary of State. The Incorporator's
and Organizer's duties and title end after filing.
Taxes and Fees
1. Does California have annual fees and reports?
The Statement of Information for officers or member/managers must be filed with the California
Secretary of State within 90 days after filing original articles, and every year thereafter in the
applicable filing period.
2. What are the California Franchise taxes?
The annual Franchise Fee is $800 per year. The first payment must be made within 3 months of
forming your Limited Liability Company, and the following year for a Corporation.
Compliance Requirements
1. Will California require me to have a local bank account?
No, but to open a bank account in California, the company must be registered with the Secretary of
State office.
2. Does California require me a local business address?
California Articles of Incorporation do not ask for an address.
3. What are the California annual maintenance fees?
- Pay Annual Statement of Information on anniversary of Filing Date
- Pay Annual Registered Agent Fees
- Pay Federal Taxes and State Taxes in California
- Pay annual California Franchise fees
Filing Process
1. What is the process to file a new company in California?
- Choose a Name for your LLC or Corporation
- File your Articles with the California Secretary of State
- For Expedite Service, courier takes articles to Secretary of State office.
- Order your Tax ID Number
- Order your State Business License
- Receive copy of documents by email and originals by US Post
- Open a business checking account
The California Secretary of State averages around six (6) weeks to file new articles. They also have
an expedite service that can reduce your time to less than 6 days.
California Order Forms
1. California Corporations
2. California Limited Liability Companies
3. California Doing Business As (DBA)
4. California UCC Statement
6. California Foreign Qualification
7. California Mail Forwarding Service
8. California Bookkeeping Service
9. California Amendment
WARNING - MAIL FROM THE COMPLIANCE ANNUAL MEETINGS BOARD, BUSINESS DIVISION, AT PO
BOX 12012 HEMET CA 92546 IS A SCAM. IT LOOKS LIKE AN OFFICIAL CALIFORNIA NOTICE, BUT
IT'S NOT.
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