Reviving a Suspended Corporation, S Corp, Partnership, or LLC in California
Running a business in 2020 can be tough. Aside from the daily business operations, you have to maintain the required corporate filings and corporate tax payments.
A Business Entity such as: Corporations, Partnerships, LLCs, LLPs are formed through the Secretary State. There are requirements that need to be met with the Secretary of State to maintain the Business Active.
If the requirements are not met such as filing the corporate statement of information, tax filings & payments, your Business Entity will be Suspended by the state.
There are stiff consequences a Business Entity Faces when it is Suspended. The suspension of a Business Entity means that:
the entity can no longer legally operate, and can not engage in any business transactions.
Any Contract the Business Entity enters into can not be enforced, &
the Business Entity can not sue or defend itself if sued. In order for the Business Entity to be revived.
California Revivorship Application for Entity Type Below
Why the California Secretary of State Suspends a Business Entity
The top 3 Reasons a Business Entity Gets Suspended are for the Following
Not Filing a Tax Return
Not Paying the Annual $800 State Franchise Fee
Not Filing the Secretary of State - Statement of Information
Steps to Revive a Suspended Business Entity in California
To Revive a Corp, All of the above-stated reasons would need to file up and paid. The payment must include all interest & penalties. Each Business Entity might have additional requirements to Revive, so it is important to contact the State to inquire if there are additional requirements to Revive your business entity.
Documents and Fees Generally Required for Revivorship
Once All Requirements have been met, the application for Receivership can be submitted. The State will typically take approximately 7 days to process the revive application.
How Semper Tax Relief Can Help With Business Entity Revivorship
Semper Tax Relief can provide the Representation to Revive your business. We have the Knowledge, Experience, Expertise & the right business solutions to revive your Business Entity. The Solutions we have in place may include all of the following:
Fully Represent your business
Catch up on all past Tax Filings
Business Solutions: Past Years Accounting, Bookkeeping, After the Fact Payroll
Financial Reporting: Cash Flow Analysis, Profit & Loss Statements
File the Business Entity Revivorship on your behalf
If you have any further questions regarding reviving a Business Entity, please call us for a Free Consultation.
Reviving a Business Entity, Frequently Asked Questions
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A business may be suspended by the Secretary of State for failing to file a required Statement of Information, or by the FTB for unpaid taxes, missing tax returns, penalties, fees, or interest.
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Check your business status through the California Secretary of State's business search. You can also use MyFTB to determine whether missing tax returns or unpaid balances caused an FTB suspension.
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The exact steps depend on who suspended the business. You may need to file missing Statements of Information, file delinquent tax returns, pay outstanding balances, and submit the appropriate FTB revivor request.
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Corporations and S corporations generally use FTB 3557 BC. LLCs use FTB 3557 LLC. Limited partnerships have a separate revivor process and form.
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Generally, no. A suspended business loses important rights and privileges in California, including the ability to legally conduct business and, in many cases, bring or defend a lawsuit.
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Generally, a suspended or forfeited business must first resolve its suspension and return to good standing before it can formally dissolve, surrender, or cancel with the California Secretary of State.
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Timing depends on what caused the suspension, how many returns or balances need to be resolved, and whether both the FTB and Secretary of State are involved. Certain urgent cases involving litigation, escrow, loans, or federal grants may qualify for an FTB walk-through revivor.
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Yes. Semper Tax Relief can identify what caused the suspension, address delinquent California tax filings and balances, and help complete the required steps to request revivorship and restore the business to good standing.
The underlying FTB requirements are current as of 2026: delinquent returns generally must be filed, outstanding tax balances addressed, and the applicable revivor request submitted.
