Tax Strategy, CFO Insights & NIL Finance for Founders and Athletes

The cost to reinstate a forfeited Texas business depends on how many years of filings are missing, whether any franchise tax is owed, and whether the Secretary of State is also involved. Most businesses with zero tax owed pay only the flat $50 late filing penalty per report plus the Aureus service fee. Here are the real numbers for every scenario in 2026.

Under Texas Tax Code Section 171.255 directors and officers can be held personally liable for debts incurred after the missed report due date, not the day the state stamped forfeited. Reinstatement closes the window but does not erase debts already inside it. Here is the exact timing, who is covered, which debts count, and what to do right now.

A forfeited Texas LLC or corporation is no longer authorized to operate, sign contracts, or sue in Texas. This step-by-step guide explains exactly how to reinstate a forfeited Texas business including identifying missing filings, preparing franchise tax reports, and requesting reinstatement with the Texas Comptroller.