To get an exact payoff amount and the specific steps required to bring your 2005 corporation back into “Good Standing,” you need to contact the Franchise Tax Section of the Delaware Division of Corporations.
Since the company was established in 2005, they will have to calculate nearly 21 years of back taxes, penalties, and accrued interest.
Direct Contact Information
- Phone: (302) 739-3073 (Select Option 3 for Franchise Tax, then Option 1)
- Email: dosdoc_ftax@delaware.gov
- Hours: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM (Eastern Time), Monday – Friday
How to Request a “Payoff Quote”
When you call or email, have the following information ready to ensure they find the correct entity:
- Exact Entity Name: (e.g., “ABC Real Estate, Inc.”)
- Delaware Business Entity File Number: This is a 7-digit number assigned when it was formed in 2005. (If you don’t have it, they can search by name).
- Request Type: Tell them you need a “Full payoff quote for a Certificate of Revival.”
Important Filing Requirements
Before the state will issue a Certificate of Good Standing, you must fulfill three requirements:
- File All Overdue Annual Reports: You will likely need to provide officer and director names for each year the company was active.
- Pay All Back Taxes and Interest: This is the “payoff” amount the section will provide.
- Appoint a Registered Agent: If you haven’t maintained one since 2005, you must appoint a new Delaware Registered Agent to receive legal documents.
Pro Tip: The “Assumed Par Value” Strategy
When you speak to the agent, ask if you can submit historical asset data for the years the company was void. If the company had $0 in assets during those years, they might be able to use the Assumed Par Value Method, which could significantly lower the back-tax portion of your bill compared to the default “Authorized Shares” calculation.
Would you like me to help you find a list of registered agents in Delaware to help with this process?