California LLC Formation Cost
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The minimum cost to start a California LLC is $90 in state fees. The minimum cost to keep it alive every year is $820. Here is the full breakdown for 2026.
One-time formation costs
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Articles of Organization (Form LLC-1) | $70 |
| Initial Statement of Information (Form LLC-12, due within 90 days) | $20 |
| Name reservation (optional) | $10 |
| Certified copy of Articles (optional) | $5 |
| 24-hour expedited filing (optional) | $350 |
Annual recurring costs
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Minimum franchise tax (FTB Form 568) | $800 |
| Statement of Information (every 2 years) | $20 |
| Registered agent service (optional) | $0 to $300 |
Income-scaled additional LLC fee
On top of the $800, California adds an LLC fee on gross receipts above $250,000 (ranges from $900 to $11,790). See California LLC taxes.
Optional professional services
- Formation service (Bizee, Northwest, LegalZoom): $0 to $299 + state fee
- Operating agreement template: $0 (DIY) to $200 (attorney-drafted)
- EIN: $0 direct from IRS, never pay a third party for this
Bottom line
Year-1 minimum spend if you DIY everything: $890 ($70 + $20 + $800). Year-2 onward minimum: $800. Every other state is cheaper to maintain.
California LLC at a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Filing office | California Secretary of State |
| LLC filing fee | $70 |
| Annual report | $20, filed every two years |
| Franchise or entity tax | $800 minimum annual |
| State personal income tax | Yes |
| Corporation filing fee (for comparison) | $100 |
How California compares
California's LLC filing fee is $70, $30 below the national median of $100. 12 of the 51 jurisdictions (50 states and DC) charge less to file. Filing fees are only part of the picture, so the table below sets California beside five states founders often consider.
| State | LLC filing fee | Annual report | Franchise or entity tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $70 | $20 every 2 years | $800 minimum annual |
| Delaware | $110 | $300 yearly | Franchise tax $300 LLC / variable corp |
| Wyoming | $100 | $60 yearly | None |
| Nevada | $425 | $350 yearly | Commerce Tax (revenue > $4M) |
| Texas | $300 | No fee yearly | Franchise tax (no-tax-due < $1.23M) |
| Florida | $125 | $138.75 yearly | None |
Forming outside the state where you live and work rarely saves money. A business operating in California that forms elsewhere generally still has to register as a foreign LLC in California and pay both states' fees. Our best states for an LLC guide explains when an out-of-state filing makes sense.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest way to start an LLC in California?
Do I have to pay $800 the first year?
Is forming in Wyoming or Delaware cheaper for a California business?
Sources & further reading
Disclaimer: Legal information, not legal advice. For advice about your specific situation, consult a licensed attorney or CPA in your state. See our full disclaimer.