How much does forming an LLC cost in this state?
Your bill has two parts: $70 for the filing and, optionally, $199 for first-year help.
Add the recurring report and the minimum tax and the state's fees reach $2,490 over three years. leginfo.legislature.ca.gov holds the original, confirmed August 2026
- $800 a year minimum LLC tax to the Franchise Tax Board (Form FTB 3522), separate from the Statement of Information.
What do I actually send the state?
Open one document, the Articles of Organization (Form LLC-1), and send it to the California Secretary of State.
Statute: Cal. Corp. Code § 17702.01. leginfo.legislature.ca.gov holds the original, confirmed August 2026
Must the LLC name an agent for service of process?
Every LLC must name a registered agent with an in-state street address.
A California resident, or a corporation registered with the Secretary of State as a corporate agent under Corporations Code § 1505. A business cannot act as its own agent for service of process.
leginfo.legislature.ca.gov holds the original, confirmed October 2026
What comes after the LLC is formed?
Plan on $20 every other year for the Statement of Information. For timing the state says: last day of the LLC's registration-anniversary month, biennially. Then add the yearly minimum tax.
File late and the state adds $250.
sos.ca.gov holds the original, confirmed October 2026
Can I file it myself instead of hiring a service?
A service is optional. State fees alone are $2,490 across three years.
Services add $397 to $597 across three years to take the filings off your desk, and Mainstay Filing counts the reports among them.
Why is the stack in this order?
On what is inside the price (29%), Mainstay Filing comes out ahead.
Five layers set the order: total across three years (34%), what is inside the price (29%), price laid out in the open (14%), how the renewal behaves (12%) and how far it reaches (11%).
CA Registered Agent.org has the smaller bill, yet the Statement of Information remains yours to file there.
How we open it up