Secretary of State Entity Identification Numbers for Tax Filings

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Published March 3rd, 2026

Detected March 31st, 2026

Summary

The California Franchise Tax Board issued guidance clarifying that the Secretary of State's new 12-digit alphanumeric entity identification numbers require only numeric digits for tax filings and payments. Taxpayers using software or FTB's Web Pay application must enter only the numeric portion, as the system will reject alpha characters, dashes, or spaces.

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What changed

The California Franchise Tax Board published guidance on the Secretary of State's new 12-digit alphanumeric entity identification numbers issued since 2025. The notice clarifies that filers using tax preparation software (electronic or paper) must enter only the numeric digits from these IDs. Similarly, users of FTB's Web Pay application must include only numeric digits, as the system displays error messages for dashes, spaces, or alpha characters.

Taxpayers and businesses filing California tax returns should verify their software correctly extracts only numeric characters from the Secretary of State entity IDs. Those using FTB's Web Pay application should ensure they enter only the numeric portion. No specific compliance deadline is stated beyond the ongoing applicability to 2025-formed entities.

What to do next

Verify tax preparation software extracts only numeric digits from Secretary of State 12-digit entity IDs
Ensure Web Pay submissions contain only numeric characters without dashes or spaces
Test data entry procedures if filing on behalf of newly formed 2025 entities

Source document (simplified)

Secretary of State business entity identification numbers for tax returns and payments Tax News Flash

March 3, 2026

Since 2025, the California Secretary of State has been issuing a 12-digit alphanumeric entity identification number to newly formed corporations, limited liability companies, and limited partnerships.

If you use tax preparation software to file returns or payments, electronically or on paper, follow the software instructions to enter only the numeric digits.

For payments submitted through FTB's Web Pay application, include only the numeric digits. The Web Pay application will display an error message if dashes, spaces, or alpha characters are entered.

Visit Web Pay for additional information.

Last updated: 03/03/2026