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LLC cost by state / California

What an LLC costs in California

California's $70 filing fee hides the real cost: an $800 minimum tax every year, starting with the first.

The numbers

$70
State filing fee
$890
Est. first-year cost
$810
A year after that: $800 a year minimum tax, plus $20 every 2 years
#11 of 12
Cheapest first year

What it owes every year

Statement of Information ($20 LLC / $25 Corp) due within 90 days of formation, then every 2 years (LLC) or every year (Corp). Separately: $800/year minimum franchise tax.

Know this before you file

The $800 minimum franchise tax is owed in your very first year regardless of income or activity - the single most underestimated cost of forming in California.

First-year math

$70 Articles of Organization + $20 Statement of Information (due within 90 days) + the $800 minimum franchise tax, owed in year one whatever the company earns.

Figures from the California Secretary of State and Franchise Tax Board, checked October 2026. Reference only, not tax or legal advice and not a filing service. Fees change: confirm on the state's site before filing.

When your California filing is due

$800 minimum franchise tax is due on the same date for every LLC in California, whatever month you formed. An LLC formed today would next owe it on April 15, 2027.

YearDue date
2027April 15, 2027
2028April 15, 2028
2029April 15, 2029

Compare California with other states

The full comparison puts California next to up to two other states, line by line: filing fee, first-year cost, ongoing filings and the catch in each. It is part of firmcreate.com Pro, opened with your firmcreate.com sign-in.

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