Texas Business Reinstatement After Tax Forfeiture
By Texas State Registered Agent Editorial Team
Published 2026-10-10 · Modified 2026-10-10 · Last verified 2026-10-10
Identify why the entity lost its status
Form 801 addresses an entity forfeited or revoked under Chapter 171 of the Texas Tax Code. It is not the right form for every inactive business. The official instructions exclude voluntary termination, termination for other reasons and court-ordered termination. Other cases may require Form 811, Form 814 or professional advice.
Check the entity's exact SOS record, the Comptroller account and the notice. A search result label alone is not a complete diagnosis.
Make the Comptroller account current first
The Form 801 instructions require filing each delinquent required report and paying the tax, penalty and interest due before requesting reinstatement. At or below the applicable no-tax-due threshold, a missing information report can still be an issue. Verify the relevant year rather than applying this year's threshold to all old reports.
The application must be accompanied by a Comptroller tax-clearance letter stating that franchise-tax liabilities are satisfied and the entity may be reinstated. An informal screenshot showing a balance is not a substitute.
Complete the state application
Use the legal entity name, SOS file number and forfeiture date. Check that the name remains available. The official instructions identify who may sign for each entity type; for an LLC, that includes a member or manager at the time of forfeiture.
The base SOS fee is $75, except a nonprofit corporation's tax-forfeiture reinstatement has no filing fee. This is not the total cost of resolving taxes or missed filings. Preserve the submitted application, clearance letter, payment record and acceptance evidence.
Updating the agent is a separate step
The Form 801 instructions say neither tax filings nor the reinstatement application update registered-agent and office details. If those need changing, make the appropriate additional filing, such as Form 401, and obtain the new agent's consent.
When to involve an attorney or CPA
Questions about personal liability during forfeiture, contracts made during an inactive period, litigation, disputed ownership or the correct reinstatement route require professional advice. We do not provide a legal opinion or guarantee reinstatement.
Use the Comptroller search guide to understand the tax-account lookup, and the franchise tax/PIR guide to avoid treating agent service as a replacement for future filings.
Sources and verification
General information only, not legal or tax advice. Confirm current official requirements and consult an attorney or CPA for advice about your situation.