You can check your Texas LLC's good standing in under five minutes using two free government search tools: the Texas Comptroller's Taxable Entity Search and the Texas Secretary of State's entity portal. Active on both means your LLC is in good standing. Anything else — "Forfeited" or "Involuntarily Ended" — means your LLC has lost its legal right to operate in Texas and officers may face personal liability for company debts.
Step 1: Search the Comptroller's Taxable Entity Search
Go to the Texas Comptroller's Taxable Entity Search and look up your LLC by any of the following:
- Legal entity name — search partial name to find variations
- Texas taxpayer number — the 11-digit number the Comptroller assigned when your LLC registered
- Federal EIN — your IRS Employer Identification Number
- Secretary of State file number — found on your Certificate of Formation
The search is free, requires no login, and returns results instantly. Locate your entity in the results list and click through to see the detailed franchise tax account record.
Estimated time: 2 minutes.
Step 2: Read what your Comptroller status means
The Franchise Tax Account Status field on your entity record will show one of three results:
Active — Your LLC has filed all required franchise tax reports and Public Information Reports and is current on any taxes owed. You are in good standing with the Comptroller and retain full legal authority to transact business in Texas. This is where you want to be.
Forfeited — The Comptroller has revoked your LLC's right to transact business because one or more franchise tax reports or Public Information Reports were not filed by the May 15 deadline. Under Texas Tax Code §§ 171.251, 171.252, and 171.255, officers and directors become personally liable for debts the LLC incurs while it is forfeited. Contracts made during this period may be unenforceable.
Involuntarily Ended — The Secretary of State has terminated your entity. This is more severe than forfeiture and typically results from a registered agent failure combined with unresolved compliance issues.
Common mistake: Many owners see "Forfeited" and assume it only affects taxes. Forfeiture also means your LLC cannot sue, cannot be defended in Texas courts, and cannot enforce contracts signed during the forfeiture period.
If your status is anything other than Active, see our guide on what to do when your Texas LLC is not in good standing for the step-by-step fix.
Step 3: Check the Secretary of State entity portal
The Comptroller tracks your franchise tax filing status. The Texas Secretary of State tracks your formation status — two separate databases that you must check independently.
Go to the Texas SOS entity search and search by your LLC name or SOS file number. Confirm:
- Formation status is active — your LLC has not been involuntarily terminated
- Registered agent is current — a valid registered agent with a physical Texas street address is on file
Every Texas LLC must maintain a registered agent at all times. If your registered agent resigned, moved without filing a change, or let their service lapse, the SOS can issue a notice and ultimately terminate your entity. See our Texas registered agent requirements guide for how to keep this current and how to update it using Form 401.
Estimated time: 2 minutes.
Step 4: Get an official Certificate of Account Status
If a bank, lender, or out-of-state business partner asks for formal proof that your LLC is in good standing, they need a Certificate of Account Status from the Texas Comptroller. This is Texas's official equivalent of a "certificate of good standing" — the phrase Texas does not use, but the document that serves the same purpose.
You can request one through the Comptroller's WebFile portal once you are logged into your franchise tax account, or by contacting the Comptroller's Franchise Tax division at 1-800-252-1381. There is no fee for the certificate itself.
Important: The Comptroller will only issue this certificate if your account status is Active. If your status is Forfeited, you must clear all delinquent filings and pay any outstanding taxes and penalties before a certificate can be issued. See our Texas LLC reinstatement guide for the full process.
Common mistake: Requesting a Certificate of Account Status from the Secretary of State instead of the Comptroller. The SOS issues its own certificates of filing (confirming your entity exists), but the Comptroller is the agency that certifies your tax standing. Make sure you request it from the right office.
Quick reference
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Where to check (franchise tax) | Texas Comptroller Taxable Entity Search — mycpa.cpa.state.tx.us/coa/ |
| Where to check (formation) | Texas SOS entity search — sos.state.tx.us |
| Good standing status | Active (Comptroller) + active formation (SOS) |
| Not in good standing | Forfeited or Involuntarily Ended |
| Annual filing deadline | May 15 (franchise tax report + PIR) |
| Official certificate | Certificate of Account Status (issued by Comptroller) |
| Certificate fee | Free |
| Phone | Comptroller Franchise Tax: 1-800-252-1381 |
FAQ
How do I check if my Texas LLC is in good standing?
Search the Texas Comptroller's Taxable Entity Search at mycpa.cpa.state.tx.us/coa/ and look for "Active" franchise tax account status. Also verify with the Texas Secretary of State portal at sos.state.tx.us. Both must show active status for your LLC to be fully in good standing in Texas.
What does "Active" mean on the Texas Comptroller entity search?
It means your LLC has filed all required franchise tax reports and Public Information Reports and is current on any taxes owed. Your LLC retains its legal right to transact business in Texas. If you see any other status — Forfeited or Involuntarily Ended — your LLC has lost that legal authority.
What is a Texas Certificate of Account Status?
It is the Texas Comptroller's official certificate confirming your LLC is current on all franchise tax obligations. This is Texas's formal equivalent of a "certificate of good standing." Banks, lenders, and out-of-state partners routinely require this before doing business with your LLC. Request it through the Comptroller's WebFile portal or by calling 1-800-252-1381.
What happens if my Texas LLC shows "Forfeited" on the Comptroller search?
Your LLC has lost its legal right to transact business in Texas. Officers and directors may become personally liable for debts incurred during forfeiture under Texas Tax Code §§ 171.251–171.255. Contracts signed during the forfeiture period may be unenforceable. You will need to file all delinquent franchise tax reports and PIRs, pay any outstanding taxes and penalties, and go through a formal reinstatement process with the Secretary of State.
How often should I check my Texas LLC's good standing?
Check at least once a year, ideally a few weeks before the May 15 franchise tax deadline so you have time to catch and fix any issues before forfeiture is triggered. Also run a fresh check any time you need to sign a major contract, apply for a business loan, or provide proof of good standing to a bank or vendor.
Not sure what else your Texas LLC owes?
Most business owners are surprised by how many filing obligations they have. Ortholo's free compliance checker shows you everything you owe, when it's due, and what happens if you miss it — personalized to your entity.
Last verified: 2026-05-06
Sources: Texas Comptroller — Taxable Entity Search | Texas Comptroller — Franchise Tax | Texas Secretary of State | Texas Tax Code §§ 171.251–171.255