Incaroo

California LLC Formation

Form your California LLC for just the $70 state fee. We handle the paperwork, you focus on your business. Includes franchise tax guidance and ongoing compliance support.

Key Highlights

$70

State Filing Fee

Standard: Online ~3–5 business days; mail ~5–7 • Expedited: Same day

Processing Time

$20 (LLC-12)

Annual Report Fee

$800

Annual Franchise Tax

California LLC: Pros and Cons

Key Advantages

Access to largest state economy in the US

Silicon Valley technology ecosystem

Major entertainment industry presence

Strong legal protections for LLC owners

Access to venture capital and investment

International business gateway

Diverse industry opportunities

Key Challenges

High $800 minimum annual franchise tax

Complex regulatory environment

High cost of doing business

Significant ongoing compliance requirements

California LLC Formation Requirements

Required Steps

1.

LLC name must include 'LLC' or 'Limited Liability Company'

2.

Name must be distinguishable from existing entities

3.

Must have a registered agent with California address

4.

File Articles of Organization (LLC-1)

5.

Pay $70 state filing fee

6.

Operating agreement recommended but not required


Processing Options

Most Popular
Standard

Included

Online ~3–5 business days; mail ~5–7

24-hour

+$350

Next business day

Same day

+$750

Same business day if filed before 3pm

Ongoing Compliance Requirements

Franchise Tax
15th day of 4th month after formation

Minimum franchise tax due regardless of LLC profits

Fee: $800 minimum annually

Statement of Information
Biennial (every 2 years)

Required biennial filing during anniversary month

Fee: $20

Registered Agent
Ongoing

Must maintain registered agent with California address

Fee: $99/year (if using service)

Compare Other Popular States
Delaware

$90

State processing time: Standard ~10 business days; expedite available (24h–1h)

View Guide
Texas

$300

State processing time: Online ~3–4 business days

Florida

$125

State processing time: Online ~3 business days; mail ~9

Wyoming

$100

State processing time: Online immediate; mail up to 15 business days

Explore More Resources
Compare All States

See how other states compare in fees and requirements

Use Tool
LLC Formation Guide

Complete guide to forming an LLC in any state

Start Your Formation

Begin your business formation with our simple process

Interested in California LLC Formation?

We're working to add California to our supported states. Join our waitlist to be notified when we launch in California.

Join California Waitlist

Be the first to know when we launch California LLC formation services.

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In the meantime, consider these supported states:

Start Your Texas Business

Start your business in Texas today

Form in Texas

Interested in Florida LLC Formation?

We're working to add Florida to our supported states. Join our waitlist to be notified when we launch in Florida.

Join Florida Waitlist

Be the first to know when we launch Florida LLC formation services.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.

In the meantime, consider these supported states:

Start Your Texas Business

Start your business in Texas today

Interested in Wyoming LLC Formation?

We're working to add Wyoming to our supported states. Join our waitlist to be notified when we launch in Wyoming.

Join Wyoming Waitlist

Be the first to know when we launch Wyoming LLC formation services.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.

In the meantime, consider these supported states:

Start Your Texas Business

Start your business in Texas today

State-by-State Comparison Guide

Detailed comparison of LLC formation across all 10 states we serve. Includes fees, requirements, tax implications, and state-specific recommendations.

🎯 Bonus: Personalized state recommendation quiz + Tax savings calculator

  • Formation fees comparison

  • Annual report requirements

  • Franchise tax implications

  • Processing timeframes

  • Business-friendly rankings

  • Recommended states by business type