Ten questions we get most often about forming an LLC in California — with straight answers, not hedged ones.
5–10 business days (online) for standard online processing through the California Secretary of State. Once the LLC is approved, we obtain the EIN the same day and deliver your bank-ready packet within a day or two after that.
Our service is $299 flat. California's state filing fee is $70, paid directly to the California Secretary of State. First-year total is $369, with no upsells and no tiered pricing.
No. California allows non-residents to form and own LLCs in the state. You do need a California agent for service of process — that's included in the $299 for the first year. Our Sacramento office serves as the agent of record.
Yes. California allows single-member LLCs, which the IRS treats as disregarded entities by default — meaning the LLC's income flows through to the owner's personal tax return.
Four things: your California Articles of Organization filed by a formation specialist, federal EIN obtained from the IRS, a custom operating agreement drafted to your actual ownership structure, and one year of agent for service of process service in California. No hidden costs, no tiered pricing.
California requires a biennial report — filed every two years — at a cost of $20. Miss the deadline and the LLC risks administrative dissolution.
Yes, California law requires every LLC to maintain a agent for service of process with a physical address in the state to receive service of process and official correspondence. Our Sacramento office serves as your agent for service of process for the first year as part of the $299.
Yes. After the first year you can renew our service at $119/year, or designate yourself, an employee, or another agent by filing a change-of-agent form with the California Secretary of State. The state typically charges a small fee for the change.
Yes. Our operating agreements are drafted to your actual ownership structure — member names, percentages, voting rights, profit allocations — not a fill-in-the-blank template. Every major U.S. bank accepts them for business account opening.
California imposes an $800 minimum annual franchise tax on every LLC, payable to the Franchise Tax Board regardless of income. It is owed every year the LLC exists, even in a loss year, and is separate from the Secretary of State filing fees. LLCs with gross receipts above $250,000 owe an additional gross-receipts fee on top of the $800 minimum.
California imposes an $800 minimum annual franchise tax on every LLC, payable to the Franchise Tax Board regardless of income. It is owed every year the LLC exists, even in a loss year, and is separate from the Secretary of State filing fees. LLCs with gross receipts above $250,000 owe an additional gross-receipts fee on top of the $800 minimum.
Reservation takes three minutes. A formation specialist in Sacramento handles the rest.