Need Assistance with a Corporate Dissolution in California, What you Need to Know

Looking for assistance with corporate dissolution in California? Our experienced team of business attorneys can help you efficiently dissolve your corporation, protecting stakeholders from potential personal liability and ensuring that the corporation is formally dissolved in the eyes of the state. Here are the steps involved in dissolving a corporation in California.

Consent Requirements

Under California General Corporation Law (GCL), shareholders with at least 50% of the voting power may vote for voluntary dissolution. Typically, the shareholders will vote on a proposal to dissolve, which is presented by the board of directors at a formal meeting. If the vote for dissolution is unanimous, there is no need to file anything with the Secretary of State (SOS).

When the vote is not unanimous, prompt notice must be given to the dissenting shareholders, and those seeking dissolution must file a Certificate of Election to Wind Up and Dissolve with the SOS. This certificate must be executed by a shareholder who was authorized to do so by the shareholders representing at least 50% of the voting power. It must also contain a statement of intention to wind up and dissolve, along with a statement of the number of shares representing at least 50% of the voting power, voting for the election to wind up and dissolve.

Wind Up and Dissolution

Once dissolution has been approved, the board may wind up the affairs of the company by paying or making provisions for payment of all debts and liabilities and distributing any remaining assets. Written notice of the wind-up must be given to all known creditors, claimants, and shareholders who did not vote in favor of dissolution. Once the process of winding up is complete, a Certificate of Dissolution must be filed with the SOS. If all necessary documents, including the Certificate of Election to Wind Up and Dissolve and the Certificate of Dissolution, are completed thoroughly and filed in a timely manner, our business attorneys will ensure a smooth process.

Short Form Certificate of Dissolution

SOS processing times vary; however, it typically takes at least eight weeks for a corporate dissolution to become final. California corporations may file a Short Form Dissolution Certificate in lieu of the Certificate of Dissolution if they meet specific requirements, including:

• Registered as a business in California within the last 12 months
• Have no debts or liabilities except tax liability, which will be satisfied or assumed
• Final tax returns have been, or will be, filed with the California Franchise Tax Board
• Conducted no business since the date of registration
• Issued no shares, and any payments from investors received have been returned
• Corporation is dissolved
• There are either no known assets, or all assets have been distributed

Voluntary Administrative Dissolution

California corporations and limited liability companies may request voluntary administrative dissolution or cancellation. One of the primary benefits of filing for voluntary administrative dissolution is that corporations are not required to pay the annual franchise tax, interest, or penalties for years in which it did not do business. To qualify, a business must either:

• Have never done business in California, or
• Ceased doing business in California and filed all required income tax returns for the years in which it was doing business

Tax Liabilities

Unless voluntary administrative dissolution is granted, a corporation will not be formally dissolved until the final tax return has been filed with the California Franchise Tax Board. Although tax clearance is not required prior to filing for dissolution, filers must affirm on their Certificate of Dissolution that they have either filed, or will file, a final franchise tax return.

For a free consultation with our Los Angeles business attorneys at ACTS LAW, LLP, please complete our online contact form or call us today at 833-228-7529. We represent clients throughout California from our offices in Los Angeles and San Diego.