How to Check if a Company is Legally Registered in California

How do you check if a company is legally registered in California?
On your computer or favorite mobile device, head over to the Business Entities section of the California Secretary of State’s website. There, you should see an option for “”Business Search.”” Here, you can run a search for any corporations, limited partnerships, and LLCs registered in California.
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Starting a business is an important life milestone, and in order to avoid legal problems, it must be properly registered. Businesses must register with the California Secretary of State’s office in order to operate in California. This procedure is required to make sure that the company is operating legally and in compliance with state legislation. We will go over how to determine if a corporation is really registered in California in this article.

Step 1: Go to the website of the California Secretary of State

The first step is to go to the website of the California Secretary of State. You may quickly determine a company’s registration status on this website, which serves as the official state portal for business registration. When you select “Business Search” from the website’s menu, you will be asked to type the name or tax identification number of the business.

Step 2: Type the Name or Identification Number of the Company

You will be taken to a page where you may enter the firm name or identification number after selecting the “Business Search” option. You can conduct a search for the firm using either its name or identification number, which is typically a special number given to the corporation when it registers with the state. After providing the necessary details, click the “Search” button.

Check the Company’s Status in Step 3

You will be taken to a page with the company’s details, including its registration status, after pressing the “Search” button. It is possible for the status to be “Active” or “Inactive.” If a corporation is registered and has an active status, it is legally permitted to conduct business in California. If the status is inactive, on the other hand, it indicates that the company is not currently authorized to operate and you should avoid doing business with them until they resolve the problem.

Do I still owe corporate tax if I close my business, too? Yes, corporate tax is due if your business is closed. The reason for this is that the tax is determined by the company’s income, not its operations. Therefore, even if the business has closed, you still have to pay the tax for the year it was active. You won’t have to pay any taxes, though, if the company doesn’t make any money.

What occurs if I fail to enter my EIN number?

Your EIN number will still be legitimate if you don’t utilize it, and you’ll still need to submit tax returns and make tax payments. Therefore, it’s imperative to make sure that you safeguard your EIN number and use it when needed to stay out of trouble with the law. What if my LLC didn’t generate any revenue? You must still pay the $800 California LLC fee for the first year even if your LLC lost money. This charge must be paid, and it is not determined by the performance or earnings of the LLC. However, you won’t be forced to pay the charge if the LLC lost money in the years after that.

Do you then have to pay the $800 California LLC cost for the initial year? Yes, regardless of the LLC’s earnings or operations, you must pay the $800 California LLC fee for the first year. It is required that you pay this fee, and not doing so could land you in legal trouble. Therefore, while forming an LLC in California, it’s imperative to allocate money for the charge.

In conclusion, it is simple and easy to determine whether a corporation is legitimately registered in California. All you have to do is look up the business name or identification number on the California Secretary of State’s website. Additionally, it’s critical to safeguard your EIN number and use it when needed to stay out of trouble with the law. Last but not least, keep in mind to set aside money for the initial $800 LLC charge when forming an LLC in California.

FAQ
People also ask what is the difference between dissolution and cancellation?

In California, the processes of ending a company entity’s existence are referred to by two different legal terms: dissolution and cancellation. In contrast to cancellation, which ends a limited partnership or limited liability partnership, dissolution refers to the process of closing down a company, LLC, or partnership. While cancellation can be started by the state or the owners themselves, dissolution is often started voluntarily by the entity’s owners or shareholders. In all scenarios, it’s crucial to take the correct legal steps to make sure the company is duly dissolved or canceled and that all debts and responsibilities are settled.