A strong foundation.
A clear path forward.
Proper setup connects your ownership, records, tax accounts, and filing responsibilities from the start. Castellanos Platinum Tax Service helps organize the administrative and tax steps of formation and ongoing compliance, with clear communication about your next steps.
Discuss your corporationWhy the setup matters.
Consistent information and organized records support banking, tax preparation, and day-to-day decisions. Maintaining required filings helps protect your business standing and reduces avoidable administrative problems. Forming a corporation is the beginning of an ongoing responsibility.
Choose the structure thoughtfully
Ownership, management, tax treatment, and future plans should inform your setup. Incorporation and an S corporation tax election are separate steps; eligibility, consent, and filing deadlines must be reviewed.
Organize formation information
Confirm the business name, addresses, agent for service of process, and ownership information before submitting formation documents. Keep copies of accepted filings and establish a reliable place for agency correspondence.
Establish tax and financial records
After state formation, obtain the appropriate federal EIN, establish business banking and bookkeeping, and determine which tax, payroll, and other accounts your activities require. Keep business and personal transactions separate.
Maintain corporate records
Organize bylaws, ownership records, meeting minutes, and resolutions as applicable. Bylaws and minutes are maintained by the corporation rather than filed with the California Secretary of State. Work with an attorney on legal documents and governance questions.
Build an ongoing compliance calendar.
California Secretary of State
File the initial Statement of Information within 90 days. California stock corporations generally file annually thereafter; other entity types may follow different schedules. Keep business and agent information current.
Statement of Information guidance ↗California Franchise Tax Board
Confirm the applicable corporation return, tax payments, and estimated payments. Minimum franchise tax and first-year exceptions depend on the entity and circumstances. An inactive business can still have filing and payment obligations.
California corporation tax guidance ↗Internal Revenue Service
Confirm federal return requirements and any separate tax elections. If S corporation treatment is appropriate, review Form 2553 eligibility and timing; state incorporation alone does not create the federal election.
S corporation election information ↗Licenses and employer accounts
Formation does not replace business licenses or activity-specific permits. Review local and state requirements; if you hire employees, coordinate employer registration, payroll withholding, and wage reporting.
California permits and licenses ↗Monitor your business status
Track due dates, retain filing confirmations, review agency notices, and verify your entity status. Missing required Statements of Information or tax obligations can lead to penalties and suspension or forfeiture. If you stop operating, review formal dissolution and final tax filing requirements instead of simply leaving the entity inactive.
Professional support, with a defined scope.
We can help gather formation information, coordinate administrative paperwork within the agreed scope, organize entity records, and connect compliance needs with tax preparation, bookkeeping, and payroll. We begin by confirming your business activities, ownership, existing filings, and the services you need.
Legal entity selection, liability questions, bylaws, and shareholder agreements should be reviewed with an attorney. Our role is administrative and tax support; formation does not guarantee liability protection or a particular tax outcome.
Prepare for your consultation
Bring your proposed or registered business name, owner and officer information, business addresses, formation documents if already filed, EIN confirmation, prior returns, and any agency notices. We will help identify missing records and outline the next steps.
Call (323) 773-7000 Explore all servicesOfficial tools for your next step.
California business filings online ↗
California formation forms and fees ↗
Get an EIN directly from the IRS ↗
FTB business filing and payment dates ↗
California business entity FAQs ↗
Requirements vary by entity type, activities, and tax year. Confirm current deadlines and requirements with the official agencies and your professional advisers.