If you own real estate in an LLC in Newport Beach, Costa Mesa, or anywhere in California… this is your wake-up call.
California LLC owners: your $800 tax and Form 568 are due April 15, 2026. Avoid penalties and stay compliant—especially if you own real estate in Newport Beach or Costa Mesa.
Spring isn’t just about listings heating up.
It’s also when the Franchise Tax Board comes knocking.
And if you miss these deadlines?
Penalties. Interest. Possible suspension.
Let’s keep it simple.
At Lucas Real Estate Group, we help property owners, trustees, and investors stay compliant while protecting their assets and optimizing long-term strategy.
Here are the two deadlines every California LLC owner needs to know in 2026:
1. The $800 California LLC Tax — Due April 15, 2026
Yes… even if your LLC made zero income (i.e. your LLC just holds title to your home).
If your LLC is:
- Registered in California, OR
- Doing business in California
You owe the $800 minimum franchise tax.
Due Date: April 15, 2026
Payment Form: FTB Form 3522 (or pay online through the FTB)
And here’s where many owners get caught off guard…
If your LLC earns $250,000+ in California gross receipts, you may also owe an additional LLC fee (calculated using Form 3536).
Bottom line:
This is not optional. It’s the cost of keeping your LLC alive and in good standing.
2. Form 568 — Your LLC’s State Tax Return (Also Due April 15, 2026)
This is California’s required LLC income reporting form.
Even if:
- Your LLC is a single-member LLC (disregarded entity)
- Your LLC had no income
- Your LLC simply holds a property for privacy, estate planning, or liability protection
You still must file Form 568.
Deadline to FILE: April 15, 2026
Extension: Automatic 7-month extension to file (typically to November)
But… no extension to PAY
This is where mistakes happen.
Many owners assume:
“I’ll just extend everything.”
You can extend the paperwork.
You cannot extend the payment.
Miss it?
You’re looking at penalties, interest, and potential FTB suspension.
Common Mistake We See (Especially in Newport Beach & Costa Mesa)
A client sets up an LLC to:
- Hold a rental property
- Take title to a new purchase
- Or maintain privacy on a personal residence
Then… nothing happens.
No income. No activity. No problem… right?
Wrong.
California still expects:
- The $800 payment
- The Form 568 filing
Every year.
This comes up constantly with:
- Trustee-owned properties
- Family LLCs
- High-value coastal real estate held for asset protection
- Out-of-state owners holding Newport Beach or Costa Mesa property
Bonus: LLC Compliance Is Bigger Than Just Taxes
The April deadlines are just the beginning.
Most LLC owners also need to stay on top of:
- Statement of Information (every 2 years)
- Proper structuring for Proposition 19 planning
- Capital gains and exit strategy planning
- Lease structuring and liability protection
- Ongoing compliance for LLCs
Miss one piece… and your “liability protection” strategy can start to unravel.
Why This Matters for Real Estate Owners
In markets like Newport Beach and Costa Mesa, LLC ownership is incredibly common.
We see it every day with:
- Luxury home purchases
- Investment properties
- Trust and estate transitions
- Confidential or high-profile ownership structures
But here’s the truth:
The LLC is only as good as its compliance.
If it’s not maintained properly, you may:
- Lose liability protection
- Trigger tax issues
- Complicate a future sale
- Create problems during escrow or due diligence
The Lucas Real Estate Advantage
This is where we’re different.
At Lucas Real Estate Group, we don’t just help you buy or sell.
We help you structure, manage, and exit real estate the right way.
Led by Devin R. Lucas — REALTOR®, Real Estate Attorney, and Broker — our team brings together:
- Real estate sales expertise
- Legal structuring and documentation
- Tax-aware strategy (with CPA-level insight)
- Experience with trustees, families, and high-net-worth clients
From Eastside Costa Mesa to Newport Coast, we help clients navigate:
- LLC-owned property sales
- Trust and estate transactions
- Proposition 19 strategy
- Capital gains planning
- Property management and compliance
Local Expertise. Global Reach.
We live here. We invest here. We work here.
Serving:
Newport Beach • Eastside Costa Mesa • Corona del Mar • Dover Shores • Newport Heights • Lido Isle • Bayshores • Mesa Del Mar • and beyond
Backed by Coldwell Banker Newport Beach and the Coldwell Banker Global Luxury program, we combine local insight with global exposure.
Questions or Need Help?
Thinking of selling California real estate, we would love the opportunity to assist – we provide full service sales and property management in Newport Beach, Costa Mesa and surrounding areas. If you are seeking to sell or professionally manage your home in Newport Beach, Costa Mesa or the surrounding areas, call or email anytime for a free brief consultation – info@lucas-real-estate.com or 949-478-1623. Sign up for our Newsletter here.
For matters involving family transfers, trusts, private sales, or tax-driven strategies, please schedule a paid one-hour consultation (Zoom, phone, or in-person):
Book a consultation here
Author
Devin R. Lucas is a Real Estate Broker, REALTOR® and Real Estate Attorney specializing in Newport Beach, Costa Mesa, and Orange County coastal communities. Courtney Lucas, a licensed CPA, Real Estate Salesperson, and REALTOR®, provides expert financial insight alongside real estate services. Together, they lead Lucas Real Estate, operating in conjunction with Coldwell Banker, the region’s premier luxury brokerage.
Lucas Real Estate offers unmatched expertise in California real estate sales, property management, capital gains strategies, and property tax matters, including Propositions 13, 58, 193, 60, 90, and new Proposition 19.
Contact Us:
info@lucas-real-estate.com | 949.478.1623
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info@lucas-real-estate.com
949-478-1623
Sign up for our Newsletter here
If you’re selling a property, seeking REALTOR® services, or exploring property management, we’re here to help—free of charge.
For legal or tax-related matters, please schedule a paid consultation (Zoom, phone, or in person).
(Book a consultation here.)
Sources
- https://www.ftb.ca.gov/file/business/types/limited-liability-company/index.html
- https://www.ftb.ca.gov/forms/2025/2025-568.pdf
- https://www.ftb.ca.gov/forms/2025/2025-568-booklet.html
- California Franchise Tax Board — LLC Tax Guidelines
Disclaimer
The content on this blog is for informational purposes only. Nothing on this blog should be construed to be legal advice, and you should not act or refrain from acting on the basis of any content on this blog without seeking appropriate legal advice regarding your particular situation, from an attorney licensed to practice law in your state. The content on this blog is not guaranteed to be correct, complete, or up to date. Devin R. Lucas’ office is in Newport Beach, California and is only licensed to practice law in California. Please be advised that Devin R. Lucas only provides legal services or advice pursuant to a written legal services agreement. The content on this blog is not intended to, and does not, create an attorney-client relationship between you and Devin R. Lucas, nor does our receipt of an email or other communication from you. Some jurisdictions may consider this site to constitute attorney advertising; accordingly, please be advised this is an advertisement.
IRS CIRCULAR 230 DISCLOSURE: To ensure compliance with requirements imposed by the IRS, we inform you that, to the extent this communication (or any attachment) addresses any tax matter, it was not written to be (and may not be) relied upon to (i) avoid tax-related penalties under the Internal Revenue Code, or (ii) promote, market or recommend to another party any transaction or matter addressed herein (or in any such attachment).
