An amendment to California LLC Articles generally uses LLC-2 and costs $30; it does not close the business. An eligible never-operated California LLC formed within the last 12 months may use LLC-4/8 short-form cancellation, with no filing fee. If all required statements are not true, review the normal dissolution and cancellation process instead. Effective July 1, 2026, online terminations require Full Access in bizfile Online.
Official source: California Secretary of StateOfficial source: California Legislative InformationOfficial source: California Secretary of State – official form (PDF)Verified against the California Secretary of State and FTB on Oct 21, 2026
Corp USA is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Private information and filing service; not a government agency.
- Verified Oct 2026 CA SOS & FTB Rules
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Start with the right question.
Secure Full Access before online termination
Effective July 1, 2026, SOS requires Full Access to the entity in bizfile Online for online terminations. LLC-4/7 cancellation, LLC-4/8 eligible 12-month short-form cancellation under Corp. Code § 17707.02, and LLC-3 dissolution have $0 state termination filing fees. Confirm access and every required statement before filing; final tax returns remain separate.
Official source: California Secretary of StateKeep operating or close?
Changing Articles is not cancellation. LLC-2 amendments and LLC-2-NA name-only amendments cost $30. Agent or address changes may belong in a Statement of Information instead; review the appropriate form before paying for an amendment.
Official source: California Secretary of StateCheck every short-form statement
LLC-4/8 is limited to California LLCs within 12 months of formation. All seven required statements must be true: time limit; no debts except the specified tax-return obligation; final returns filed or to be filed; assets distributed or none; no business conducted; required dissolution vote; and investor-interest payments returned.
Official source: California Secretary of State – official form (PDF)Complete the tax and closure work
If the short-form statements cannot all be made, review LLC-4/7 cancellation and, where applicable, LLC-3 dissolution. FTB describes first-year annual-tax relief for qualifying short-form cancellation within one year, but do not assume filing alone excuses returns or all tax liabilities.
Official source: California Franchise Tax BoardYour preparation checklist
- Identify the change or decision to close
- Select the correct Articles or statement filing
- For short form, confirm every required statement
- Review debts, assets, investor payments and vote
- File required final returns and retain closure records
Amendment or cancellation decision tree
Amendment or cancellation decision tree
Agent or address updates may use a Statement of Information instead. An amendment does not terminate the entity or end its annual-tax obligations.
Keep the requirements separate.
| Requirement | Verified detail / confirmation needed | Official authority |
|---|---|---|
| Online termination / Full Access | Effective July 1, 2026, SOS requires Full Access to the entity in bizfile Online for online terminations. LLC-4/7 cancellation, LLC-4/8 eligible 12-month short-form cancellation under Corp. Code § 17707.02, and LLC-3 dissolution have $0 state termination filing fees. Confirm access and every required statement before filing; final tax returns remain separate. | Official source: California Secretary of State |
| 12-month short form / Corp. Code § 17707.02 | LLC-4/8 requires every statutory condition, not just age under 12 months. | Official source: California Legislative Information |
| LLC-2 / LLC-2-NA | $30 amendment; does not terminate the LLC | Official source: California Secretary of State |
| LLC-4/8 | No filing fee; all eligibility statements required | Official source: California Secretary of State – official form (PDF) |
| LLC-3 / LLC-4/7 | Normal dissolution/cancellation forms; no state filing fee listed | Official source: California Secretary of State |
| Tax closure | Review final returns and any qualified tax relief with FTB | Official source: California Franchise Tax Board |
Carry the decision forward.
Corp USA is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. State fees are pass-through. Service fees and taxes are separate. Review the order price before payment.
Before your next step
No. All required statements must be true, including that no business was conducted.
Official source: California Secretary of State – official form (PDF)No. Amendment changes Articles; termination and tax obligations are separate.
Official source: California Franchise Tax Board