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News & Alerts
In an effort to help keep our clients informed and up-to-date on industry-related matters, Registered Agent Solutions, Inc. provides frequent News & Alerts on state news, fraud warnings, and other relevant matters. While these News & Alerts are posted on an ongoing-basis, you may also receive a monthly summary of updates by subscribing to our Monthly Newsletter. Additionally, many of the News & Alert postings are shared on our social media outlets.
6/17/2013 - Maine
UCC Forms Updated
Effective July 1, Maine will be accepting the new Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) forms that comply with the 2010 Revised Article 9 Amendments to the code. While the new forms will be available online beginning June 28, the forms will not be accepted for filing until July 1. The state is allowing for a 30 day grace period. Beginning August 1, only the new forms will be accepted for filing.
To view the press release, see the link below.
http://www.maine.gov/sos/news/2013/uccforms.html
6/14/2013 - Nebraska
Scam Spreads to Nebraska Businesses
The scam that has hit several states over the last year has turned up in Nebraska. A fraudulent direct mailer has been sent to many Nebraska businesses from the Corporate Records Service company. The mailer asks for a fee of $125.00 and the completion of a 2013 Annual Minutes form. This is not a notice from the Secretary of State's office and should not be completed.
For more information, see the press release from the Secretary of State's office below.
http://www.sos.state.ne.us/admin/press_releases/pdf-2013/Direct-Mailer-Release.pdf
6/11/2013 - Nebraska
Updated UCC Forms
In anticipation of the upcoming effective date for changes made to the Uniform Commercial Code, the Secretary of State has made the new UCC forms available online for viewing. The new forms, which comply with the 2010 Amendments to Revised Article 9, can be used beginning July 1. The state is allowing a 30 day grace period. Beginning August 1, all UCC filings must be submitted on the new forms to avoid rejection. For more information, see the press release below.
http://www.sos.state.ne.us/admin/press_releases/pdf-2013/UCC-Forms-Release.pdf
6/3/2013 - California
Updated State Forms
The Secretary of State's office has made non-substantive updates to the following forms:
Articles of Incorporation - General Stock (Form ARTS-GS)
Articles of Incorporation - Close (Form ARTS-CL)
Articles of Incorporation - Professional (Form ARTS-PC)
Articles of Incorporation - Nonprofit Mutual Benefit (Form ARTS-MU)
Articles of Incorporation - Nonprofit Religious (Form ARTS-RE)
Articles of Incorporation - Common Interest Development (Form ARTS-CID)
Statement and Designation by Foreign Corporation - Stock or Nonprofit (Form S&DC-S/N)
Statement and Designation by Foreign Corporation - Professional (Form S&DC-PC)
Statement and Designation by Foreign Corporation - Insurer (Form S&DC-INS)
Old forms will still be accepted. To find the most recent forms nationwide, see RASi's Forms Library.
http://www.rasi.com/resource-center/forms-library.asp
5/29/2013 - Maine
Annual Reports Due June 3
The Secretary of State put out a press release to remind businesses and nonprofit entities that annual reports are due next Monday, June 3rd. The fees are: $85 for domestic business entities, $150 for foreign business entities, and $35 for domestic or foreign nonprofit corporations.
Any reports received after June 3rd will be charged a late-filing penalty. Contact RASi to get help filing your annual report.
http://www.maine.gov/sos/news/2013/annualreportdue.html
5/28/2013 - Georgia
Annual Registration Due May 31
The Georgia Secretary of State's office extended the due date for annual registrations to May 31 this year due to an upgrade of their online system. Georgia law requires that all entities registered with the state file their annual registration form and pay the renewal fee. Any company that misses the May 31 deadline will be charged a $25 penalty fee.
If you need help filing your Annual Registration, contact RASi's Compliance Department.
http://ow.ly/lvjy7
5/13/2013 - Arkansas
Franchise Tax Payments Still Accepted
Secretary of State Mark Martin put out a notice reminding Arkansas businesses that they can still make franchise tax payments, even if they missed the May 1 deadline. Annual reports are required in Arkansas along with the tax payment. Failure to file the report could result in a company being declared in bad standing, and may even lead to administrative dissolution. Keep your company in compliance by filing all required annual reports and paying franchise taxes.
See the link below to view the press release.
http://www.sos.arkansas.gov/news/Pages/newsDetails.aspx?show=102
5/6/2013 - Minnesota
New Business Filings on the Rise
Business filings are already on the rise this year, as reported by the Minnesota Secretary of State. So far this year, 21,294 new businesses have been registered. The Secretary's office is expecting to exceed the previous record of 63,338 new filings set in 2009. Secretary Mark Ritchie believes that this rise in business filings is a reflection of Minnesota's "strong business climate for startups."
http://www.sos.state.mn.us/index.aspx?recordid=771&page=10
5/3/2013 - Rhode Island
Scam Targets Limited Liability Companies
Rhode Island limited liability companies are being warned about a fraudulent direct mail solicitation that is being sent to LLCs throughout the state by a company called "Rhode Island Corporate Compliance." A similar warning was posted a few months ago when the scam targeted for-profit corporations. The mailing is requesting that companies submit an "Annual Disclosure Statement" along with a $125 filing fee. The form requests such information as account records, annual meeting minutes, and detailed shareholder information. The state does not require this information from limited liability companies and, while the letter may appear to be official, please be aware that this scam is not a state requirement.
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service wants anyone who has paid the $125 fee to call (401) 276-8630. For more information, see the press release below.
http://www.ri.gov/press/view/19242
4/5/2013 - Florida
Scam Targeting New Businesses
We have become aware of a new scam in Florida that appears to be targeting new companies that register with the Secretary of State.
The scam is in the form of a mailing that is requesting a payment of $54.47 in order to receive a certificate of status to complete the initial business filing. Please note that it is not necessary to receive a certificate of good standing/status to complete your business registration with the Secretary of State.
The return envelope is addressed to a P.O. Box under the name "Florida Center of Corporations" which is not a part of the Secretary of State's office. The correct state office is the Division of Corporations. Any mailings sent from the Florida Secretary of State's office will have the state seal and direct contact information for the department.
If you have received this notice, or have other questions, please contact RASi to make sure you are not receiving a fraudulent mailing.
4/4/2013 - Wyoming
Annual Minutes Disclosure Scam
The Wyoming Secretary of State is warning businesses of a false solicitation that is being sent to companies registered in the state. The mailing appears to be a form called "Annual Minutes Disclosure Statement" and asks that it be completed and mailed with a filing fee.
If you have questions about the validity of a mailing you have received that asks for specific internal company information, please contact the Secretary of State or RASi for more information.
http://soswy.state.wy.us/Media/2013/SOS_Alert_Regarding_Deceptive_Business_Filings_4-2-13.pdf
3/18/2013 - Pennsylvania
Corporate Tax Lien Certificates Available Again
The Pennsylvania Bureau of Compliance has announced that Corporate Tax Lien Certificates can now be printed again. Certificates were not being printed throughout the month of February because the corporation tax system was being replaced. Since the system was offline for so long, there is a backlog of certificates to be printed, which may take a few days to get through.
If you have questions regarding an ordered Tax Lien Certificate, or need to place an order, please contact RASi.
3/15/2013 - Virginia
Amended Business Trust Act
The Virginia Business Trust Act has been modified and these changes will be in effect as of July 1, 2013. Among the modifications are changes to the execution of documents and the requirement to add identification numbers to documents. Technical amendments have also been made. To view the text of the Business Trust Act, please see the link below.
http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?131+ful+CHAP0025+pdf
3/11/2013 - Indiana
Phasing Out Paper Reminders for Biennial Reports
Secretary of State Connie Lawson sent out a notification to Indiana business owners reminding them that biennial reports are state requirements. The due date biennial reports does vary, as the reports are due during the month the entity was formed.
The Business Services Division is also phasing out paper reminders to file biennial reports. Notification will now be sent via email. The state office hopes to cease using paper reminders by 2014.
Not sure when your report is due? Contact us and we will look up the information for you.
3/6/2013 - District of Columbia
Offices Closed Due to Weather
Government offices in the District of Columbia are closed today March 6th due to a snowstorm. The storm is predicted to arrive today and will last through the night. We will keep you updated regarding any other office closures.
RASi is still available to take your DC orders. Please contact us if you have any questions.
3/4/2013 - Missouri
Scam Alert - Corporate Records Service Company
The Missouri Secretary of State has alerted companies to a false solicitation by Corporate Records Service company. The solicitation is requesting $125 and says that a company must file their corporate meeting minutes. The Secretary of State does require an annual report, but does not ask for internal company records. More information regarding this scam can be found at the link below.
http://www.sos.mo.gov/news.asp?id=1164
2/28/2013 - New Hampshire
Corporate Records Scam Alert
The New Hampshire Secretary of State and Attorney General are alerting companies to the current scam by the Corporate Records Service company. The scam is a mailed solicitation that claims companies need to file their annual meeting minutes and pay $125 in filing fees. While annual reports are required, annual meeting minutes do not need to filed with the Secretary of State and are considered internal company documents. For more information regarding the scam, please see the link below.
http://doj.nh.gov/media-center/press-releases/2013/20130226-corporate-records-service.htm
2/26/2013 - Georgia
Extended Deadline for 2013 Annual Registrations
Secretary of State Brian Kemp has signed an order extending the deadline for 2013 Annual Registration filings. The annual registration was due on April 1, 2013 but with the extension these filings are now due by May 31, 2013. This extension applies to all Georgia entities, both foreign and domestic.
For more information, see the press release below or contact RASi's Compliance Department.
http://1.usa.gov/YZ3Wie
2/25/2013 - Delaware
Fraudulent Mailing - Corporate Records Service Scam
The Corporate Records Service company scam is now showing up in Delaware. The fraudulent solicitation is asking for internal corporate records and a $125.00 filing fee. The Delaware Secretary of State’s Office and the Delaware Division of Corporations are putting companies on alert. The mailing appears to be timed to coincide with the March 1st annual franchise tax report deadline for Delaware corporations - an official requirement of the state. Although the mailing may appear legitimate, official mailings will have the Secretary of State's coat of arms and contact information for the Division of Corporations.
If you have any concerns regarding correspondence for your company, contact the Secretary of State directly, or contact RASi to have a representative research the matter for you.
http://www.corp.delaware.gov/newsroom.shtml
2/21/2013 - Colorado
$1 Filing Fee for February
The Colorado Secretary of State's office is offering a reduced rate when filing select forms. The $1 filing fee special has been running throughout the month in order to encourage business in the state. While the discount will continue for non-profits, the filing fee will go back up for other entities after February 28th. For more information, see the press release at the link below.
http://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/COSOS/2013/02/20/file_attachments/191700/02-20-13%2BBusiness%2Bfiling%2Bfee%2Bupdate%2BFINAL.pdf
2/20/2013 - Arizona
Scam Alert - Corporate Records Service Company
Throughout the last few months, we have seen a major scam hit numerous states. Arizona is the latest state dealing with a false solicitation from the Corporate Records Service company. The mailing has been asking companies to submit internal corporate records and pay a $125.00 filing fee. The company is in no way affiliated with the governmental offices in Arizona. The Arizona Corporation Commission is encouraging companies that have received this fraudulent mailing to contact the Arizona Attorney General's office. See the press release below for the contact information.
http://www.azcc.gov/Divisions/Administration/news/130204Corporations%20Scam.pdf
2/11/2013 - Kentucky
Corporate Records Service Scam Spreads
The scam initiated by the Corporate Records Service has surfaced in many states, and more recently has spread to Kentucky. The Secretary of State is alerting businesses to this solicitation which claims that a company needs to file internal corporate records on a "2013 Annual Minutes Form" and pay a $125 filing fee.
Other states that have been affected by this scam include Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Maine, New York, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin. While annual reports are required in many states, internal corporate records are not required to be filed with the Secretary of State.
http://www.sos.ky.gov/secdesk/mediacenter/pressreleases/sos020613a.htm
2/5/2013 - Minnesota
Business is Growing
The Minnesota Secretary of State Mark Ritchie announced that business filings are up by 4.4% in Minnesota. Filings for 2012 were the second highest in the state's history. Secretary Ritchie commented that these numbers show a confidence in the state's economy.
http://www.sos.state.mn.us/index.aspx?recordid=755&page=10
1/30/2013 - Delaware
Unclaimed Property VDA Program Amended
In July 2012, the Delaware Secretary of State office launched an Unclaimed Property Voluntary Disclosure Program. This program was created to help companies resolve past Delaware unclaimed property liability without being audited by the Delaware State Department of Finance. Most companies are eligible participants as long as they have not already received an audit notice. Audits currently cover past years as far back as 1981. Participating in this program can reduce the number of years audited. A company can participate in the program by filing a Notice of Intent to Comply, form VDA-1.
On January 30, 2013, Governor Markell signed House Bill No. 2 which amends the Voluntary Disclosure Program. With the amendment, a company has until June 30, 2015 to resolve past due unclaimed property liability. The amendment also opens eligibility to a company's affiliate or subsidiary. Also, certain other property types are now included in the resolution of unclaimed property through the Secretary of State VDA program.
For more information, see the state's informational webpage.
http://www.delawarevda.com/
1/28/2013 - Tennessee
New Corporate Records Service Scam
The scam by Corporate Records Service is also affecting Tennesse corporations. Solicitations were mailed to Tennessee corporations from a company called Corporate Records Service stating that the entity needs to file certain company information, including corporate minutes and annual meetings, and also pay a $125.00 fee. The solicitations may appear legitimate; however, Corporate Records Service is in no way affiliated with the Secretary of State. View the link below for more information.
http://tnsos.org/Press/story.php?item=476
1/25/2013 - Arizona
New Non-Certified UCC Search System
The Arizona Secretary of State launched a new online UCC non-certified search system January 24. The new system is currently experiencing technical difficulties, and non-certified UCC searches may not be available with a current through date. The state office has not given a timeframe for these issues to be resolved. Certified searches are available and may be ordered on a routine basis or an expedited basis for an additional fee.
RASi will keep you updated on any updates to this alert. If you are in need of a non-certified Arizona state UCC search, please contact us to discuss your options.
1/24/2013 - Pennsylvania
Dept. of Revenue Tax System Shut Down in February
The Pennsylvania Department of Revenue will be replacing their corporation tax computer system during the entire month of February. From February 1st through March 1st, the department will be extremely limited in providing Corporate Tax Lien Certificates, and certificates may not be available at all. Corporate Tax Lien Certificates indicate whether there is an active tax lien filed against a company. If you need a tax lien search, please plan ahead of time to avoid any inconvenience.
The new system is set to be running by Monday, March 4th. RASi will keep you updated on any changes to this alert.
1/23/2013 - Maine
Corporate Records Service Scam
Secretary of State Matthew Dunlap has announced a recent scam affecting numerous Maine corporations. Solicitations were mailed to Maine corporations from a company called Corporate Records Service stating that the entity needs to file certain company information, including corporate minutes and annual meetings, and also pay a $125.00 fee. The solicitations reference Maine statues to appear legitimate; however, these mailings are not endorsed by the Secretary of State's office.
Corporate minutes do not need to be filed with the Secretary of State's office. The state does require annual report filings, which are due on or before June 1. Remember that any official notice received from the Secretary of State's office will contain the Maine state seal, the Secretary of State's name, and contact information for the Bureau of Corporations, Elections and Commissions.
http://www.maine.gov/tools/whatsnew/index.php?topic=Portal+News&id=486676&v=article-2008
1/22/2013 - Kentucky
Annual Reports Due July 1
Kentucky Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes would like to remind all entities authorized to conduct business in Kentucky that they are required to file annual reports in 2013. The annual report due date is July 1, 2013 and there is a $15 filing fee. Reminder notices will be sent to each entity either via email or regular mail.
Failure to file the annual report will result in your entity being listed as in bad standing with the Secretary of State. Non-compliant businesses will receive a final 60-day notice. If the annual report is still not filed after 60 days, the business will be administratively dissolved and will no longer be authorized to conduct business.
If you have any questions about filing your annual report, or would like RASi to file for you, please contact us at 888-705-7274.
1/17/2013 - Nevada
Server Back Online
The Nevada Secretary of State Commercial Recordings Division is back online as of today. Filings will be processed in the order received with the expedited filings processed before routine orders. Expedite fees will still apply. Unless rejected, the filing will receive the date of submission.
If you have any questions regarding the status of your filings, please contact our office.
1/16/2013 - Kansas
Annual Business Formation Report
Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach announced in the Annual Business Formation Report that 2012 was a record year for new business formations. A total of 15,008 new businesses were filed with the Secretary of State's office. Sect. Kobach also noted that the northwest portion of Kansas seemed to have the most significant business growth. Lastly, the number of active business entities in Kansas is currently at an all-time high at 152,908 active and in good standing businesses.
http://www.kssos.org/other/news_releases/PR_2013/2013%20Business%20Formation%20Report.pdf
1/16/2013 - Nevada
Corporations Division System Still Down
The Nevada Corporations Division server is currently still down. All document processing has ceased. The Corporations Division expects to be operational again tomorrow, January 17th.
1/14/2013 - Minnesota
Business filings up 18%
In 2012, the number of new businesses filed with the Minnesota Office of the Secretary of State hit a high of 60,827. The state reports that this is an 18% increase over 2011 filings. This increase in business filings has made 2012 the year with the second highest number of new filings in Minnesota's history.
1/9/2013 - Vermont
Changes to December Annual & Biennial Reports
Vermont Division of Corporations has extended the deadline for December Annual/Biennial Reports from March 15 to April 30. This is due to an upgrade of their IT system and the subsequent delay in sending the annual/ biennial report notices. Corporations and LLCs will receive annual/biennial report notices via their registered agent in early February. Nonprofits will receive the notices at their principal office address. To see the notice posted by the Division of Corporations visit this link.
http://corps.sec.state.vt.us/
12/24/2012 - National
RASi Offices Close at 5:00 PM
All RASI offices will close at 5:00 PM (regional local time) so that our employees may be with their families for the holiday. Thank you for your understanding.
11/30/2012 - Ohio
Certain tax liens fail to be reflected in county record
A technical issue has caused state tax liens filed within specific time frames to fail to be reflected in public terminals and website.
Reported time frames for the issue are as follows:
Coshocton County: 05/18/12 through 09/27/12
Muskingum County: 08/08/12 through 11/13/12
Guernsey County: (estimated) 06/01/2012 to 07/01/2012
Memorandums issued by Coshocton and Muskingum Counties are viewable at the following link:
http://www.nprragac.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/OHIO-TAX-LIENS-MEMO.pdf
11/30/2012 - District of Columbia
Business Amnesty Program announced through end of Dec.
The District of Columbia's Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (DCRA) and Mayor Vincent C Gray have announced recently a temporary amnesty program. This program allows for customers to obtain business licenses and corporate registration without receiving $2,000 fines for operating a business without a license.
You can read the full press release by following the link below
http://dcra.dc.gov/DC/DCRA/About+DCRA/News+Room/Press+Releases/Mayor+Gray+Announces+Business+License+Amnesty+Program
11/21/2012 - National
Importance of Small Business
The importance of small businesses to the United States overall economy has never been so evident. Our Infographic illustrates the great contributions that small businesses make to the economic landscape of this country. Click on the link to learn more.
http://visual.ly/how-important-are-small-businesses-us-economy
11/14/2012 - Delaware
Website Launched for New Unclaimed Property VDA Program
As part of Delaware’s new unclaimed property voluntary disclosure agreement (VDA) program signed into law by Governor Jack Markell in July, the Delaware Secretary of State, Jeffrey W. Bullock, launched a new website designed to make it easier for Delaware registered companies to come into compliance with their past due unclaimed and abandoned property obligations.
See the full text by following the link
http://news.delaware.gov/2012/11/14/website-launched-for-new-unclaimed-property-voluntary-disclosure-agreement-vda-program/
10/28/2012 - Delaware
State & Office Closed
Due to the major storm approaching the East Coast, the State of Delaware has closed the Secretary of State's Office today. For the safety of our employees, we have also closed the RASI Delaware Service Center. For immediate issues, please contact our Corporate Offices at 888-705-7274.
9/12/2012 - National
RASi in the news... again
A quick news piece about RASi being selected to the Inc 5000 list.
http://news.yahoo.com/registered-agent-solutions-inc-makes-inc-500i5000-list-160124046.html
9/6/2012 - Texas
Changes in Texas intellectual property law
Major changes to Texas’ intellectual property law take effect Sept. 1 that impact Texas trademark owners’ rights and remedies, and bring our state into greater conformity with federal trademark law. The rules apply to any trademark — be it a word, name, symbol or device — established by use as identifying the source of a product or service.
Passed by Texas state lawmakers in 2011 as House Bill 3141, many of the new law changes are based on the Model State Trademark Bill originally circulated by the International Trademark Association. The ultimate goal of this model bill is to bring state trademark laws in line with federal law and to promote uniformity among the states, which is generally believed to be good for business.
Texas will now review state applications against not only the Texas state trademark register, but also against the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office trademark register.
Companies must renew trademark registrations obtained under the new law every five years, as compared to the old law’s trademark term of 10 years.
9/5/2012 - Minnesota
Legal Newspaper Application Filing Period Began Sept.
The 2013 legal newspaper applications were mailed to approximately 350 newspapers in August. Applications for Legal Newspapers must be filed before December 31, 2012 for a newspaper to qualify as a legal newspaper for the entire 2013 calendar year.
Applications received in this Minnesota Secretary of State office after January 1, 2013 are effective on the date they are filed in the Office. Applications are also available online at the link below.
http://www.sos.state.mn.us/index.aspx?page=335
7/26/2012 - Texas
$50 Late Filing Penalty for Reports after Oct. 1 2011
Beginning last year with reports due on or after Oct. 1, 2011, certain taxpayers will be assessed a $50 penalty when a report is filed late. The penalty will be assessed regardless of whether the taxpayer subsequently files the report or whether any taxes or fees were due from the taxpayer for the period covered by the late filed report.
Taxes or fees affected by this provision are:
• 9-1-1 prepaid wireless emergency service fee;
• fireworks;
• franchise;
• hotel occupancy tax;
• maquiladora;
• mixed beverage gross receipts tax;
• motor fuels tax;
• motor vehicle gross rental receipts;
• motor vehicle seller finance;
• sales and use (including direct pay); and the off-road, heavy-duty diesel equipment surcharge.
Prior to this provision, $50 penalties were only imposed on the third, and all subsequent, late filings of sales and use tax; maquiladoras; fireworks and off-road, heavy-duty diesel equipment surcharge reports. Article 14 repeals Tax Code Section 151.7031, the statute that prohibited application of the $50 late filing penalty to the first two occurrences of late filing of reports for those taxes.
http://www.window.state.tx.us/taxinfo/taxpnw/tpn2011/tpn1107.html
7/26/2012 - Kentucky
Kentucky SOS reminds of changes in business statutes
Laws adopted by the General Assembly during the 2012 Regular Session went into effect on July 12, 2012, and Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes is reminding Kentuckians of several important changes in Kentucky’s business statutes.
Pursuant to House Bill 277, now codified in Chapter 67 of the Kentucky Revised Statutes, the Secretary of State’s office is obtaining copies of the occupational license tax return forms used by each of the more than 200 taxing districts in Kentucky. Beginning November 1, the forms will be available on the Secretary of State’s website, saving businesses time and money often spent gathering returns from each district in which they operate.
House Bill 341 enacted long-overdue updates to Kentucky’s statutory trust laws. The existing statutes had not been updated in approximately 50 years and did not reflect intervening changes in business entity laws or the uses of statutory trusts. The modernized statutes, which adopt the Uniform Statutory Trust Act, apply current legal concepts, including limited liability and taxing methods, to statutory trusts. With the new laws, Kentucky is among the first states to enact statutory trust laws that accommodate mutual funds.
And business owners, particularly those in the agriculture community, have a new option when selecting a business structure. Under House Bill 441, the Uniform Limited Cooperative Association Act, Kentucky law now permits the formation of “new generation cooperatives.” With new generation cooperatives, patrons can bring in outside capital to pursue modern projects while still maintaining many of the hallmarks of traditional cooperatives. Codified at Chapter 272A of the Kentucky Revised Statutes, the Act promotes rural economic development by combining traditional cooperatives with modern financing mechanisms. Kentucky is only the 12th state to adopt statutes that allow new generation cooperatives.
“I am proud that, by working together with members of the General Assembly, we enacted legislation that modernizes and streamlines our business entity laws and facilitates more efficient interaction between businesses and government,” said Grimes, the state’s Chief Business Official. “The laws enacted this year will help ensure that Kentucky truly is open for business.”
http://sos.ky.gov/secdesk/mediacenter/pressreleases/sos071712a.htm
7/16/2012 - California
Update Statement by Common Interest Development Assoc.
California law permits the Secretary of State to retain only the most recent Statement by Common Interest Development Association. Effective July 16, 2012, modifications to reflect the change in retention will be made to the corporation mainframe database.
For ease of access, the file date and document number of the Statement by Common Interest Development Association for a corporation will display beneath the Statement of Information data on the status screen.
7/16/2012 - Massachusetts
Notice regarding "Compliance Services" Solicitation
Recently, an entity calling itself "Compliance Services" mailed solicitations entitled "Annual Minutes Requirement Statement Directors and Shareholders" to numerous Massachusetts corporations. This solicitation offers to complete corporate meeting minutes on behalf of the corporation for a fee. Despite the implications contained in the solicitation, Massachusetts corporations are not required by law to file corporate minutes with the Secretary of State.
You do not have to do business with Compliance Services. The forms provided by them are not required by the Office of the Secretary of State. Whether you choose to do business with them will in no way affect your corporate filing with the Secretary of State, either positively or negatively.
It is important to remember that any official statement or request from the Office of the Secretary of State will clearly indicate its origin by displaying the name of Secretary of State William Francis Galvin.
If you have any questions concerning this notification, please contact MA secretary of state by email at corpinfo@sec.state.ma.us or by telephone at (617) 727-9640.
7/9/2012 - California
LP/LLC Mainframe Database Changes
California law requires a limited liability company to include the entity’s mailing address on the Statement of Information, if the mailing address is different than the principal executive office address.
Modifications to the limited partnership/limited liability company database will be made effective July 9, 2012 to display the mailing address, if available. To provide room for the mailing address, the third general partner / manager / member name and address fields and associated information, if any, will no longer be displayed. If the database contained three general partner/manager/member names, the number displayed in the additional general partners / managers / members field will be increased by one.
6/13/2012 - New Hampshire
Effective July 28, SB 235 eliminates good standing req.
Signed by the governor May 29 and effective July 28, Senate Bill 235 (Chapter 102) amends the requirements for foreign corp. and LLCs to file a certificate of good standing from the state of formation when qualifying. It also changes the rules to file signed agent consent when changing registered agent.
http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/legislation/2012/SB0235.html
6/7/2012 - Georgia
SOS office announces refund process for past fees
Georgia Secretary of State Brian Kemp announced today that non-profit corporations and foreign (out of state) LLP that filed an annual registration between August 12, 2010 and April 13, 2012 might be eligible for a partial refund of their annual registration fees.
In 2010, the Georgia General Assembly passed HB 1055 which increased the annual registration fee for corporations, partnerships, associations, domestic limited partnerships, and limited liability companies from $30 to $50. Through an internal review of agency practices, it was discovered that during the implementation of HB 1055, the corporations filing system was incorrectly reprogrammed to assess a $50 annual registration fee for non-profit corporations and foreign LLp’s as well.
For more on this please follow this link.
View Related Document
5/7/2012 - Colorado
Notice of Mandatory UCC Online System Downtime
Notice of Mandatory UCC Online Filing and Searching including System Downtime
Colorado Secretary of State sent this bulletin at 04/23/2012 04:44 PM MDT
Notice of Mandatory UCC Online Filing and Searching
including System Downtime
The Colorado Secretary of State will launch a new UCC filing and searching system on Tuesday, May 29, 2012, at 7:00 AM MST. This new system will enhance the filing and searching of commercial lien records and save businesses time and money.
When the new system launches, all UCC forms must be filed online. This will allow customers to use fast, electronic self-service. The online system will increase efficiency and reduce costs within the Secretary of State’s office.
The fee for filing UCC forms online is $8.00.
If you have an existing UCC user account, you will need to create a new account when the new system launches.
In addition to filing, all UCC searches must be conducted online. UCC search reports, copies of documents, and certified records will all be available for free from the website.
Paper filings and search requests must be received in our office by 3:00 PM on Friday May 25th in order to be processed.
Online filing and searching services will be unavailable beginning Friday, May 25, 2012 at 5:00 PM until Tuesday, May 29, 2012 at 7:00 AM to prepare for launching the new system.
Our office processes payments through a secure server. View helpful tips for filing online and online payment information.
http://content.govdelivery.com/bulletins/gd/COSOS-3d41d4
5/7/2012 - Michigan
Sterling Heights SOS office closed 5/14-18/2012
Sterling Heights Secretary of State office
to be closed for relocation May 14-18
New branch office to have more room for guests, staff
STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich. – The Secretary of State office in Sterling Heights will be closed for several days this month as it moves to a new location that features a larger floor plan for customers and staff, Secretary of State Ruth Johnson announced today.
The office at 34208 Van Dyke Ave. will close for good at the end of the business day on Friday, May 11 and staff will complete the moving process on Friday, May 18. The office will reopen at 9 a.m. on Monday, May 21 at 7917 19 Mile Road. The new location is about 4.5 miles north of the original office at the intersection of 19 Mile Road and Van Dyke Avenue and will provide easier access for motorists.
Customers of the new office will also benefit from 24-hour access to a Self-Service Station, which provides a convenient self-service option for customers renewing their license plate tabs.
Office hours remain unchanged: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday.
“We continue to find ways to stretch tax dollars farther while providing greater convenience for customers,” Johnson said. “Residents can do many transactions with us online but when they do need to come in, we hope they will enjoy the features of this new office.”
People who need license plates, driver’s licenses and ID cards can do business by mail or online at www.ExpressSOS.com. Easy to follow instructions can be found with the renewal notice. Additional services can be done online as well.
Those who need to visit a Secretary of State branch for services during the relocation have several within 10 miles of the current Sterling Heights office to choose from:
S.W. Macomb Co. PLUS
28220 Dequindre Road Warren, MI
East Oakland Co. PLUS
1111 E. Long Lake Road Troy, MI
Clinton Twp. SUPER!Center
37015 S Gratiot Ave. Clinton Township, MI
Central Macomb Co. PLUS
50640 Schoenherr Road Shelby Township, MI
S.E. Macomb Co. PLUS
24040 Harper Ave. Saint Clair Shores, MI
S.E. Oakland Co. PLUS
26196 Greenfield Road Oak Park, MI
Rochester Hills Office
2250 Crooks Road Rochester Hills, MI
The PLUS offices are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, and from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday. The Clinton Township SUPER!Center has the same hours as PLUS offices and also 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday. The Rochester Hills office is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, and from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday.
For more information about Secretary of State office locations and additional services, visit www.Michigan.gov/SoS. Sign up for the official Secretary of State Twitter feed at www.twitter.com/MichSOS and Facebook updates at www.facebook.com/MichiganSOS.
Customers also may call the Department of State Information Center to speak to a customer-service representative at 888-SOS-MICH (767-6424).
4/23/2012 - New York
NY dept. of state offers E-Filing May 1, 2012
Effective May 1, 2012 the Department of State will offer electronic filing for Biennial Statements and Five Year Statements. This technological upgrade will support the Department’s effort to improve customer service and provide substantial cost savings to the Department.
4/18/2012 - Nebraska
New effort by SOS to enforce 2009 requirement
The Nebraska Secretary of State's office has indicated they have recently begun an effort to enforce the requirement for service companies to obtain and submit to the Secretary of State’s Office a letter of authorization from EACH CUSTOMER to e-file UCCs on their customer’s behalf.
Implemented in November 2009, the state only recently decided to enforce the requirement when an audit revealed a lack of compliance on the part of service companies, title companies, law firms, and other third party filers.
This requirement impacts high volume third party filers the most, as letters must be obtained for every customer, forwarded to the Secretary of State’s Office, and indexed appropriately under the third party filer’s Electronic Filing Services Agreement. In addition, full compliance by all third party filers could conceivably greatly tax the state’s labor resources.
http://www.sos.ne.gov/business/ucc/pdf/agreement_3.pdf
View Related Document
4/13/2012 - Minnesota
NASS Launches National Business Identity Theft Resource
National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS) Launches National Business Identity Theft Resource Website
St. Paul, Minn.-April 12, 2012-Secretary of State Mark Ritchie announced today that in their effort to help business owners protect themselves from business identity theft, the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS) has launched the National Business Identity Theft Resource Website at: www.BusinessIDTheft.org.
While Secretary of State Ritchie was president of the organization, NASS convened a national business identity theft task force in 2011 in response to the increasing numbers of reported business identity theft crimes. As the result of the work of that task force, NASS partnered with Identity Theft Protection Association (ITPA) to create and launch this website whose sole purpose is to help business owners learn about business identity theft risks and how to protect their businesses.
"As a member of that taskforce, I cannot state strongly enough how important it is to get this information to business owners," said Secretary of State Ritchie. "The damage to a business targeted by this type of fraud can be bankrupting."
This website is the first and only resource dedicated to business identity theft. The site provides expert information on the multitude of ways that business identity theft can occur, risk management and prevention information, victim assistance, and comprehensive local resources for each U.S. state and territory. Fraud prevention tips and the latest tools for credit protection are also featured.
The site is supported by the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS), which has been working to raise awareness about business identity theft, along with a wide array of industry stakeholders, including state legislators, law enforcement, business support groups, financial institutions and others.
4/13/2012 - Texas
Texas Comptroller Announces Tax Amnesty for Businesses
Last month the Texas Comptroller Susan Combs announced the opportunity for businesses to clear up their tax records without any penalty. The state’s Fresh Start tax amnesty period is set for June 12 through Aug. 17, 2012.
“The amnesty is a chance for businesses to set their tax records straight and save money by not having to pay penalty and interest on tax reports they had failed to file,” Combs said. “During the two-month amnesty businesses can file those missing reports and pay the overdue taxes, or amend and pay previous reports in which they had incorrectly stated a lower amount than was due.”
The tax amnesty covers taxes and fees that were originally due before April 1, 2012. The amnesty does not apply to underpaid tax returns (tax that was reported but not paid) or filing periods that businesses have in audit.
The Fresh Start amnesty applies to sales tax, franchise tax and other state or local taxes or fees administered by the Comptroller’s office, except Public Utility Commission gross receipts assessments.
A similar tax amnesty was held in summer 2007 and brought in approximately $100 million in unpaid taxes.
Taxpayers can get details on the Fresh Start tax amnesty at www.freshstart.texas.gov, or by calling 1-800-252-1390.
http://www.window.state.tx.us/news2012/120315-taxamnesty.html
4/10/2012 - Alabama
New Resources for Business Identity Theft Prevention
New Web Resources for Business Identity Theft Prevention Available
MONTGOMERY, Ala.-- Secretary of State Beth Chapman has announced that a new free resource is now available on the subject of business identity theft prevention. The new website is designed to educate business owners so they can protect their business from identity theft. The website, which can be found at www.businessidtheft.org>, is the first and only resource dedicated to the topic. It is a collaborative effort between the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS) and the Identity Theft Protection Association (ITPA).
“Secretaries of state from across the nation are working together to protect commercial documents and educate business owners on the threats they face regarding business identity theft,” said Chapman. “Businesses across Alabama should be aware of the potential threat of business identity theft, how to prevent it, and what to do if their business falls victim. This is a reliable resource to help them.”
Chapman currently serves as president of NASS.
http://www.BusinessIDTheft.org
3/30/2012 - National
San Francisco Chronicle highlights RASi
The San Francisco Chronicle highlighted RASi in an article about our new website and suite of online tools rolled out at the beginning of the month. Follow the link to the article.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2012/03/29/prweb9314777.DTL
3/29/2012 - National
Yahoo news elevates to new level with RASi
This morning Yahoo news picked up the story about RASi's new website and suite of online tools for business.
http://news.yahoo.com/registered-agent-solutions-inc-elevates-level-100048334.html
3/29/2012 - National
San Antonio Express highlights RASi
Today the San Antonio Express highlighted the new website and suite of online tools. Follow the link below to read the full article.
http://www.mysanantonio.com/business/press-releases/article/Registered-Agent-Solutions-Inc-Elevates-to-New-3443715.php
3/27/2012 - Michigan
Michigan UCC update
2011-HB-5081 Commercial code; General revisions to article 1 of the uniform commercial code have been made follow the link here to learn more.
- bill ordered enrolled
2/20/2012 - Florida
Fraud Alert Re: Annual Minutes
CONSUMER ALERT: Please be aware that COMPLIANCE SERVICES (not to be confused with the Florida corporation, Compliance Services, Inc.) is mailing notices to business entities requesting that "Annual Minutes" and a fee of $125.00 be sent to them for filing. These notices are NOT from the Dept. of State, Division of Corporations. "Annual Minutes" are NOT required to be filed with any agency. They are to be kept by the business entity itself. Do NOT confuse these notices with the messages sent by the Division of Corporations reminding each business entity to file its 2012 Annual Report.
2/13/2012 - Colorado
Colorado Secretary of State proposes filing legislation
Colorado Secretary of State Proposes "Business Efficiency Suite" Legislation to Streamline Business Filings.
http://content.govdelivery.com/bulletins/gd/COSOS-2e6e791/1/2012 - District of Columbia
Filing fees raised again.
DC raised their filing fees again. COA's are now $50.00 for domestic/foreign corporations and LLC's are now $40 for non-profits. Additionally, good standings are $50.00.