California LLC Cost Calculator
Calculate the total cost to form an LLC in California. Filing fee: $70. Annual LLC Tax (Franchise Tax Board): $800. Free California LLC cost breakdown.
Enter Your Details
Adjust values to see instant results
Pre-filled: Compiled multi-state LLC fee survey — pending verification against the state fee schedule
Pre-filled: California Franchise Tax Board
Additional Details
Year 1 Total Cost
Estimated • Based on your inputs
Annual Ongoing Cost
$925.00
Detailed Breakdown
Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates for informational purposes only. Results should not be considered financial, tax, or legal advice. Consult a qualified professional for your specific situation.
How This Calculator Works
Calculation methodology and assumptions
LLC formation costs in California include the state filing fee ($70), the recurring annual LLC tax paid to the Franchise Tax Board ($800/year), registered agent fees, and optional costs like an operating agreement. EIN registration with the IRS is free. This calculator provides a comprehensive first-year and multi-year cost projection for forming and maintaining an LLC in California. This $800 is owed even with zero revenue. It excludes two other recurring California costs: the $20 biennial Statement of Information filed with the Secretary of State (missing which carries a separate $250 penalty), and the revenue-banded LLC fee that starts at $900 once California income reaches $250,000 and rises to $11,790 above $5,000,000. The tax is due the 15th day of the 4th month of the taxable year.
Key State Information
California LLC filing fee: $70. Annual LLC Tax (Franchise Tax Board): $800/year. California's LLC filing fee is moderate. At $800/year, California's recurring cost is among the highest in the nation. Note: California LLCs do not file an annual report — the $800 is a tax, not a report fee.
Example Calculation
Let's calculate the cost to form and maintain an LLC in California.
Forming a single-member LLC in California: state filing fee $70, registered agent service (~$125/year), EIN from IRS (free), and a DIY operating agreement (free, or $500-$1,500 with an attorney). California's annual report/franchise tax is $800/year.
Result: Year 1 total: approximately $195 (plus any optional attorney fees). Ongoing annual cost: approximately $925/year. Nationally, filing fees range from $35 (Montana) to $500 (Massachusetts) and recurring state costs range from $0 (several states) to $800/year (California) — so California's cost may be far cheaper, or more expensive, than forming elsewhere. Don't form in Delaware or Wyoming just for their reputation — you'll still need to register as a foreign LLC at home and pay both states.
Newsletter Signups Are Paused
We're building the email delivery behind our newsletter so we can do it properly — signups aren't open yet. Check back soon.
No form here and nothing is collected. Read our privacy policy.
StateCalc Team
Editorial Team
The StateCalc team builds free financial calculators using data from official government sources including the IRS, U.S. Census Bureau, BLS, and state revenue departments. All formulas are validated by an automated test suite and cross-referenced against published data.
Our editorial standardsFrequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to form an LLC in California?
The state filing fee is $70. Including a registered agent ($0 if you serve as your own, $100-$300/year for a commercial service) and an operating agreement (free to write yourself, ~$150 from a template service), expect to pay $70 to $520 to form an LLC in California. Ongoing costs are $800/year to the state, plus your registered agent.
Do I need a registered agent for my California LLC?
Yes, California requires every LLC to have a registered agent with a physical street address in the state. You can serve as your own agent for $0 if you have a California address and are willing to have it appear on the public record, or hire a commercial registered agent service for $100-$300/year.
Does California require an annual report for LLCs?
No. California LLCs are not required to file an annual report. What California does require is an annual LLC tax paid to the Franchise Tax Board of $800, due the 15th day of the 4th month of the taxable year. This $800 is owed even with zero revenue. It excludes two other recurring California costs: the $20 biennial Statement of Information filed with the Secretary of State (missing which carries a separate $250 penalty), and the revenue-banded LLC fee that starts at $900 once California income reaches $250,000 and rises to $11,790 above $5,000,000.
People Also Calculate
Frequently used together with this calculator
Related Calculators
More LLC Cost Calculators
More Calculators for California
Explore related financial tools with California data
Compare California With Other States
Side-by-side tax, housing & cost of living comparisons