Everything you need to know about starting and maintaining a business in California — LLC formation, taxes, annual reports, licenses, and compliance requirements.
California is a leading destination for business formation. The state offers a low-cost regulatory environment, managed by the California Secretary of State. Filings are submitted via the official state portal.
Annual report due: April 15 each year.
For most businesses in California, the recommended structure is:
An LLC provides the ideal balance of personal liability protection, pass-through taxation flexibility, and minimal administrative overhead. California LLCs are governed by the California Secretary of State with a state filing fee of $800.
Form LLC in CaliforniaLLCs must file a Statement of Information with the CA SOS within 90 days of formation, and...
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| Filing Agency | California Secretary of State |
| Filing Fee | $800 |
| Late Penalty | $800 |
| Report Required | Yes |
| Report Cycle | Annual |