The status of the LLC can be checked online on the Secretary of State's Business Search at BusinessSearch.sos.ca. See the FTB Suspension/Forfeiture section below for information about resolving an FTB suspended/forfeited status.
Overall, a corporation has more structure and requires you to follow more formalities than with an LLC. See our article on how to form a California Corporation. A California LLC is formed by filing articles of organization with the state of California.
A corporation is owned by its shareholders (or “stockholders”) who own stock in the company. There is no limit to the number of shareholders a general California corporation can have (S Corporations are limited to 100). They can also have as few as one.
A California corporation generally is a legal entity which exists separately from its owners. While normally limiting the owners from personal liability, taxes are levied on the corporation as well as on the shareholders.
To submit Form SI-100, you may file it online at the California Secretary of State's website or mail it to the Statement of Information Unit at P.O. Box 944230, Sacramento, CA 94244-2300. For in-person submissions, visit the Sacramento office located at 1500 11th Street, Sacramento, CA 95814.
Generally, CA Stock Corporations and Qualified Out-of-State Corporations are required to file their Statement of Information yearly in the month of registration with the California Secretary of State.
Corp Election teps for LLCs tep 1 Register a business name. tep 2 Get an agent for service of process in CA. tep 3 File California Articles of Organization. tep 4 File California tatement of Information. tep 5 Create an operating agreement for corporation election. tep 6 Apply for an EIN.