Form a California LLC with StartGlobal
$399 state fee included
EIN, operating agreement and first-year agent service included. Nothing else to buy.
California LLC costs at a glance
| Cost | When | Applies in California | With StartGlobal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Articles of Organization filing fee | Once, to form | Yes | Included in $399 |
| Registered agent | Every year | Yes, or be your own | Year one included, then $99/yr |
| Statement of Information | Every two years | Yes | Optional filing service, $299/yr |
| State tax or yearly charge | See below | Yes, see below | Paid to the state |
| EIN | Once | For a bank account or staff | Included in $399 |
| Operating agreement | Once | Recommended | Included in $399 |
| Local business licences | Varies | Depends on city, county and trade | Paid to the issuer |
Forming the LLC
California LLCs are formed by filing a Articles of Organization with the California Secretary of State, Business Programs Division, which accepts filings online. The state charges a one-time fee to accept it; the fee is the same whether you file yourself or use a service, and StartGlobal includes it in the $399.
Keeping it active
California LLCs file a Statement of Information every two years. It is due every two years during the filing window made up of the calendar month the Articles of Organization were filed and the five months before it. The first one is due within 90 days after the Articles of Organization are filed.
Every LLC organized or doing business in California owes an annual LLC tax to the Franchise Tax Board, first due by the 15th day of the 4th month after the start of its first taxable year and on the same schedule each year after. LLCs with higher total California income also owe an LLC fee that scales with that income, estimated and paid by the 15th day of the 6th month of the tax year. LLCs file Form 568 with the Franchise Tax Board.
You also need a registered agent in California every year. Ours is included for the first year and $99 a year after; you can act as your own if you have a California address and are there in business hours.
- Failing to file the Statement of Information can lead to Franchise Tax Board penalties and suspension or forfeiture of the LLC.
- Articles of Organization and Statements of Information are filed online through bizfile Online.
What a "$0" California LLC costs over three years
Formation, a registered agent every year and an EIN, at each provider's published prices. The California filing fee is added on top of theirs and included in ours.
| Three years | |
|---|---|
| ZenBusiness Starter Registered agent is a $199/yr add-on from day one. | $696 + California filing fee |
| LegalZoom Basic Registered agent is $249/yr. | $826 + California filing fee |
| Bizee Basic Registered agent free for year one, then $149/yr. | $368 + California filing fee |
| StartGlobal State fee, first-year agent and EIN included. Agent $99/yr after. | $597, all in |
Over three years our price is lower than ZenBusiness or LegalZoom in every state. Bizee's first agent year is free, which can make it cheaper depending on the state fee. Filing yourself costs only the state fee.
Sources
Related
Frequently asked questions
How much does an LLC cost in California?
California charges a one-time fee to file the Articles of Organization. With StartGlobal the total is $399 with that fee included, plus your EIN, operating agreement and first-year registered agent service. After that: California LLCs file a Statement of Information every two years. It is due every two years during the filing window made up of the calendar month the Articles of Organization were filed and the five months before it.
What are the yearly costs of a California LLC?
California LLCs file a Statement of Information every two years. It is due every two years during the filing window made up of the calendar month the Articles of Organization were filed and the five months before it. Every LLC organized or doing business in California owes an annual LLC tax to the Franchise Tax Board, first due by the 15th day of the 4th month after the start of its first taxable year and on the same schedule each year after. LLCs with higher total California income also owe an LLC fee that scales with that income, estimated and paid by the 15th day of the 6th month of the tax year. LLCs file Form 568 with the Franchise Tax Board. You also need a registered agent in California every year, unless you act as your own.
Is there a cheaper way to form a California LLC?
Yes: file the Articles of Organization yourself with the California Secretary of State, Business Programs Division, act as your own registered agent and get your EIN from the IRS for free. It costs only the state fee and your time.
Does a $0 LLC service cost nothing in California?
No. The California filing fee is charged on top of a "$0" formation, and registered agent service and the EIN are usually add-ons. Over three years our $399 all-in is lower than ZenBusiness or LegalZoom at their published prices.
