How Much Does an LLC Cost in California? (2026 Fees)
Forming an LLC in California costs $70 in state filing fees. $800 franchise tax every year, plus a $20 Statement of Information every two years. Your first-year total to the state is $890, plus a registered agent if you don't use your own California address.
Last verified November 7, 2026 against official California sources.
California LLC fees
| Fee | Amount | When | Required? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Articles of Organization (Form LLC-1) | $70 | Once, to form the LLC | Yes |
| Statement of Information | $20 | Within 90 days of forming, then every 2 years | Yes |
| Annual franchise tax (Franchise Tax Board) | $800 | Every year, starting in your first year | Yes |
| LLC fee | Extra, on a sliding scale | Only if California revenue is over $250,000 | No |
| Registered agent | $0 if you use your own in-state address; a service usually costs $100–$300 a year | Every year | Yes |
| First year (state fees) | $890 | ||
| Every year after | $800 (+$20 every two years) | ||
File it yourself
Pay only the state fee and file directly with the California Secretary of State. Best if you're comfortable with forms and will track your own yearly filings.
File with the California Secretary of StateBefore you pay $70, make sure the name is free
California rejects a filing if the name is already taken, and a name you can't get as a .com or on Instagram is hard to build on. Check both first. Search the California register, then check the domain and handles here:
Is your business name free online?
After you form your LLC
- Find your domain
Get the matching domain
Customers search for you online before they buy. Lock in the .com while it's free.
- Start your store
Start selling online
Open a store under your new business name and take your first order.
- Get your email
Get a business email
Send from you@yourbusiness.com instead of a Gmail address — customers and banks take it more seriously.
- Build your site
Put up a website
A simple site makes your new business look real to customers and banks.
California LLC cost questions
Is California's $800 LLC tax due the first year?
Yes. The first-year exemption only covered LLCs formed from 2021 through 2023. An LLC formed now owes the $800 annual tax for its first year, due by the 15th day of the 4th month after it is formed, and every year after that.
Do I pay the $800 even if my LLC makes no money?
Yes. The $800 is a minimum franchise tax, owed every year the LLC is active in California whether or not it earns anything. It stops only when the LLC is formally cancelled.
Do I need a registered agent in California?
Yes. Every California LLC needs a registered agent with a physical California address to receive legal papers. You can be your own agent for free if you have one, or pay a service — usually $100–$300 a year.
Can I form a California LLC myself?
Yes. You can file directly with the California Secretary of State and pay only the state fee. A formation service files for you and usually adds a registered agent and reminders for yearly filings — useful if you'd rather not handle the paperwork.
Should I check my LLC name before I pay the filing fee?
Yes. If the name is already taken in California, the state rejects the filing. Search the state register first, and check the .com and social handles too, so you don't form an LLC under a name you can't use online.
Sources
- California SOS — LLC forms and fees
- California Franchise Tax Board — LLCs
- California SOS — LLC registration (bizfile)
Fees change. Always confirm the amount on the official page before you file. Comparing states? See LLC costs in every state we cover.
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Everything you need to name, price and launch — no signup.
