Section § 23331

Explanation

This section explains how a corporation is officially dissolved or withdrawn in California. The process is recognized as complete when certain documents, like a court decree of dissolution or certificates of winding up and dissolution, are filed with the Secretary of State. For foreign corporations, the official date of withdrawal is when their certificate of withdrawal is filed.

The Secretary of State suggests sending all required documents by certified mail with a return receipt and commits to providing a filing response within 21 days of receiving the documents.

(a)CA Revenue & Taxation Code § 23331(a) For the purposes of this article, the effective date of dissolution of a corporation is the date on which the certified copy of the court decree, judgment, or order declaring the corporation duly wound up and dissolved is filed in the office of the Secretary of State or the date on which the certificate of winding up, if necessary, and the certificate of dissolution are filed in the office of the Secretary of State. For the purposes of this article, the effective date of withdrawal of a foreign corporation is the date on which the certificate of withdrawal is filed in the office of the Secretary of State.
(b)CA Revenue & Taxation Code § 23331(b) The Secretary of State shall, through an information program and by forms and instructions provided to taxpayers, recommend that all documents required by this article to be filed with the Secretary of State be sent, if mailed, by certified mail with return receipt requested. The Secretary of State shall also provide the taxpayers a filing response within 21 days of receipt.

Section § 23332

Explanation

This law section outlines tax obligations for corporations that dissolve or leave California. These businesses only pay taxes for the months before their dissolution or withdrawal, based on either the previous year's income or a calculated percentage, whichever is lower. Taxes won't be refunded if the business ends due to reorganization or mergers.

If a corporation dissolves before 1973, it follows these rules. After 1973, other tax codes apply. Additionally, corporations that stop doing business and file a final tax return correctly may not have to pay the minimum franchise tax; this includes filing proper dissolution or cancellation certificates within a year.

(a)CA Revenue & Taxation Code § 23332(a) Except in the case of a taxpayer subject to the provisions of Section 23222a, any taxpayer which is dissolved or withdraws from the state during any taxable year shall pay a tax only for the months of the taxable year which precede the effective date of the dissolution or withdrawal, according to or measured by (1) the net income of the preceding income year or (2) a percentage of net income determined by ascertaining the ratio which the months of the taxable year, preceding the effective date of dissolution or withdrawal, bears to the months of the income year, whichever is the lesser amount. The taxes levied under this chapter shall not be subject to abatement or refund because of the cessation of business or corporate existence of any taxpayer pursuant to a reorganization, consolidation, or merger (as defined by Section 23251). In any event, each corporation shall pay a tax not subject to offset for the period in an amount equal to the minimum tax prescribed by Section 23153.
(b)CA Revenue & Taxation Code § 23332(b) The provisions of subdivision (a) shall be applied only with respect to taxpayers which dissolve or withdraw before January 1, 1973. On and after that date, the tax for the taxable year in which the taxpayer ceases doing business, dissolves, or withdraws shall be determined under the appropriate provisions of Section 23151.1, 23153, 23181, or 23183, whichever is applicable.
(c)Copy CA Revenue & Taxation Code § 23332(c)
(1)Copy CA Revenue & Taxation Code § 23332(c)(1) A corporation shall not be subject to the minimum franchise tax imposed by this chapter for a taxable year if the corporation does all of the following:
(A)CA Revenue & Taxation Code § 23332(c)(1)(A) Files a timely final franchise tax return for a taxable year with the Franchise Tax Board.
(B)CA Revenue & Taxation Code § 23332(c)(1)(B) Does not do business in this state after the end of the taxable year for which the final franchise tax return was filed.
(C)Copy CA Revenue & Taxation Code § 23332(c)(1)(C)
(i)Copy CA Revenue & Taxation Code § 23332(c)(1)(C)(i) In the case of a corporation other than a corporation described in clause (ii), files a certificate of dissolution or surrender with the Secretary of State, in accordance with Sections 1809, 1905, 2112, 6615, 8615, and 12635 of the Corporations Code and Section 3126 of the Financial Code, before the end of the 12-month period beginning with the date the final franchise tax return was filed.
(ii)CA Revenue & Taxation Code § 23332(c)(1)(C)(i)(ii) In the case of a limited liability company that is a corporation pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 23038, files a certificate of cancellation with the Secretary of State, in accordance with Section 17707.02 or 17708.07 of the Corporations Code, before the end of the 12-month period beginning with the date the final franchise tax return was filed.
(2)CA Revenue & Taxation Code § 23332(c)(2) For purposes of this subdivision, a “final franchise tax return” is a return filed pursuant to Section 18601 on or before the due date of the return, as extended, that the taxpayer designates in the manner prescribed by the Franchise Tax Board as the taxpayer’s final franchise tax return for purposes of the tax imposed under this chapter. A final franchise tax return for purposes of the tax imposed under this chapter is a return filed pursuant to Section 18601 where the taxpayer is not required to file a subsequent return to reflect the imposition of tax under this chapter.

Section § 23332.5

Explanation

This law section explains that if a financial company stops operating, ends, or leaves California during a taxable year, the tax for that year should be calculated based on specific rules found in other sections mentioned (23183(b) or (d), 23183.1, or 23183.2).

If a financial corporation ceases doing business, dissolves, or withdraws from the state during any taxable year, the tax for the taxable year during which cessation of doing business, dissolution or withdrawal occurs shall be computed as prescribed by subdivision (b) or (d) of Section 23183, 23183.1, or 23183.2.

Section § 23333

Explanation

This law section states that if a business (taxpayer) plans to dissolve or withdraw before a specific tax rate is set, it must pay taxes at the highest rate. Later, if the determined rate is lower, they'll get a refund within 30 days. Additionally, any tax amount over a certain specified rate will be collected as a second installment demand.

(a)CA Revenue & Taxation Code § 23333(a) A taxpayer subject to Section 23186 shall, if it dissolves or withdraws prior to the date the rate is determined under Section 23186, pay a tax under Section 23332 at the maximum rate prescribed by Section 23186. If the rate is subsequently determined to be less than the maximum prescribed by Section 23186, a refund shall, within 30 days of that determination, be made as prescribed by Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 19301) of Part 10.2.
(b)CA Revenue & Taxation Code § 23333(b) That part of the tax thus determined which is in excess of the rate specified in Section 23151 shall be collected as a demand for second installment under Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 19001) of Part 10.2.

Section § 23335

Explanation

This law explains that if a business files its final franchise tax return due to dissolving or withdrawing from doing business in California, and marks it accordingly on the tax form, it will automatically be treated as a request for guidance on how to properly complete the dissolution or withdrawal process.

The Franchise Tax Board then has to provide the necessary information about any documents that need to be filed with both the Franchise Tax Board and the Secretary of State.

(a)CA Revenue & Taxation Code § 23335(a) Any return filed pursuant to Section 18601 that the taxpayer designates in the appropriate place on the form provided by the Franchise Tax Board as the taxpayer’s final franchise tax return as the result of a dissolution or withdrawal shall be treated as a request for information on how to properly dissolve or withdraw.
(b)CA Revenue & Taxation Code § 23335(b) If a taxpayer has filed a return as described in subdivision (a), the Franchise Tax Board shall provide the taxpayer with information regarding all documents that are required by this article to be filed with the Franchise Tax Board and the Secretary of State.