The state filing fee to form an LLC in California is $70. Annual maintenance costs include annual franchise tax (minimum) ($800) plus a registered agent. Calculate your total first-year and ongoing costs below.
California charges a $70 filing fee but has a mandatory $800/year minimum franchise tax for every LLC, starting in the second year. LLCs with revenues over $250,000 pay an additional gross receipts fee. California also requires a Statement of Information ($20/2 years). The $800 minimum franchise tax makes California one of the most expensive states for ongoing LLC costs.
| Cost Item | Amount | When Due |
|---|---|---|
| State Filing Fee | $70 | One-time at formation |
| Annual franchise tax (minimum) | $800 | Annually |
| $800 minimum franchise tax | $800 | Annually |
| Registered Agent Service | $49–$300/year | Annually (at renewal) |
| Operating Agreement | $0–$1,500 | One-time (recommended) |
| EIN (Federal Tax ID) | Free | One-time (IRS.gov) |
| Business Bank Account | $0–$50/month | Monthly or free |
| Period | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| First Year (state fees + $49 RA) | $1,719 |
| Ongoing Annual (state fees + $49 RA) | $1,649/year |
| 5-Year Total Cost (+ RA) | $8,315 |
Northwest Registered Agent provides registered agent service in California for $49/year — the lowest price in the industry. They also include a free year of registered agent service when you use them to form your LLC. Vanderflip Financial's preferred partner for LLC formation.
Form Your LLC with Northwest →FTC Disclosure: Vanderflip Financial may earn a commission if you use this link. We only recommend services we've evaluated.
The California state filing fee is $70. In the first year, total costs including a registered agent (~$49) and annual state fees ($800) amount to approximately $1,719. Ongoing annual costs are approximately $1,649/year.
Yes — California requires all LLCs to maintain a registered agent with a physical California address. You can serve as your own registered agent if you have a California address, or hire a professional service. Professional services (~$49-$300/year) keep your personal address off public records and ensure you receive legal documents even when you're unavailable.
Annual franchise tax (minimum): $800 Franchise/privilege tax: $800 minimum franchise tax $800. Plus registered agent service (~$49/year). Total ongoing: approximately $1,649/year.
For most small businesses that operate in California, forming in California is the right choice. If you form in Delaware or Wyoming and do business in California, you'll likely need to register as a foreign LLC in California — paying fees in both states. Delaware and Wyoming make sense for businesses seeking venture capital, planning complex ownership structures, or operating entirely online without a home state nexus.
Standard LLC formation in California typically takes 5–15 business days. Expedited processing is available for an additional fee and can reduce processing to 1–3 business days in most states. Online filing through the Secretary of State's website is the fastest option. Using a registered agent service like Northwest can also expedite the process.