T
The Daily Insight

Do I need a CA SOS number?

Author

Henry Morales

Published Apr 03, 2026

All corporations in California have an SOS file number, no matter if they are a C corporation or an S corporation.

How do I find my California SOS number?

According to the California Franchise Tax Board (FTB), the CA corporation number can only be 7 digits in length and the Secretary of State (SOS) file number is 12 digits. Contact your client to determine the 7-digit CA Corporation Number, 12 digit SOS number or contact the California Secretary of State at 916.657.

How long is CA SOS number?

12
Secretary of State (SOS) Number is a 12-digit number beginning with 19 or 20. LLC Temp Number is a none-digit number.

What is CA SOS ID?

The entity number is the identification number issued to the entity by the California Secretary of State at the time the entity formed, qualified, registered or converted in California. If searching for a corporation by entity number, the letter “C” must be entered followed by the applicable seven-digit entity number.

What is CA SOS certification penalty?

Penalties of $250 is assessed for late filing. All California businesses must file their first Statement of Information with the Secretary of State within 90 days of filing the original Articles of Incorporation (or Articles of Organization).

What does SOS suspended mean in California?

A “SOS/FTB Suspended” designation essentially means that the business entity has been suspended by the California Secretary of State. Most importantly, a “suspended” business entity loses many of its powers, rights and privileges within the State of California. See Rev. & Tax Code Sec. 23301.

How long does it take California to accept e file?

How you file your California tax return — If you choose to e-file, normal processing times can take up to two weeks. If you decide to paper file, processing can take up to four weeks.

When to put California SOS file number on tax return?

Choosing an S corporation status is a tax election that is filled with the Internal Revenue Service and isn’t related to the corporation’s SOS File Number. The original incorporation stays valid. When a California business tax return is filed, it is required to put the filing number on the tax forms.

What is a SOS number California?

SOS number is the number the Secretary of State office assigned to your entity. You can find it on the LLC application form that you submitted (assuming you kept the copy of your application returned to you), or by searching for your entity on the SOS site here (the first column, “entity number”, is what you’re looking for).

What is the Secretary of State file number in California?

Secretary of State number, which is a 12 digit number that begins with a 19 or 20. California Corporation Number, which is an eight-digit number that begins with a C. LLC Temp Number, which is a nine-digit number. All corporations in California have an SOS file number, no matter if they are a C corporation or an S corporation.

What are the instructions for the California tax form?

The instructions provided with California tax forms are a summary of California tax law and are only intended to aid taxpayers in preparing their state income tax returns. We include information that is most useful to the greatest number of taxpayers in the limited space available.