CA · State guide

Form an LLC in California

California charges $90 to file an LLC by its default method (standard · online), and documents come back in about 3 days. Here is every filing option, what the state expects each year, and your first-year total with us.

Form in CaliforniaCompare all states
State filing fee$90Standard · online · about 3 days
Fastest option3 daysStandard · online · $90
First year · Starter$439$349 plan + $90 state fee · ≈ ₹41,900
First year · Pro$1,089$999 plan + $90 state fee · adds Form 5472

State fees synced Sep 17, 2026 from our filing partner and charged at cost. Expedited methods add our $49 expedite fee.

Filing methods

Every way to file in California

The state sets the fee and the speed. We file by the method you pick and pass the fee through at cost.

MethodFiledState feeOur expedite feeDocuments back inFirst year · Starter
StandardDefaultOnline$90—3 days$439
StandardBy mail$90—10 days$439
ExpeditedOnline$440+ $493 days$838
Every year after

What California expects each year

Forming is the easy part. These are the recurring obligations that keep the company in good standing.

CA · every year

Annual LLC tax & statement of information

The $800 tax is also due in the first year, by the 15th day of the 4th month after formation; there's no first-year exemption in 2026, and a 2026 law sets the first year's tax at $400 for tax years beginning 2027 through 2029. The statement of information is due within 90 days of formation, then every 2 years, with a $250 penalty for not filing. LLCs with California income over $250,000 also pay a fee starting at $900.

State fee$800 minimum tax + $20 statement every 2 years
Due15th day of the 4th month of your tax year (April 15 for calendar-year LLCs)
With usOn your compliance calendar
Source: leginfo.legislature.ca.gov · checked Sep 17, 2026
Federal · every state

Form 5472 + pro forma 1120

A foreign-owned single-member LLC files these with the IRS every year, even with no revenue.

DueApril 15
IRS penalty if missed$25,000
Filed for you onPro plan
Compare

Other states founders compare

Popular with founders outside the US. Each guide shows the full fee table and yearly obligations.

WY2 days

Wyoming

No state income tax and a low yearly cost. Popular with founders outside the US.

State fee$103
First year · Starter$452
Wyoming guide
DE3 days

Delaware

The state investors know best, with the Court of Chancery. Venture funds usually want a Delaware C-corp, not an LLC.

State fee$110
First year · Starter$459
Delaware guide
NM3 days

New Mexico

The lowest-maintenance state: a small filing fee and no yearly report.

State fee$52
First year · Starter$401
New Mexico guide
FL3 days

Florida

Good if you'll operate in Florida; watch the $400 late fee.

State fee$125
First year · Starter$474
Florida guide
Guides & comparisons

Before you form in California

Side-by-side comparisons and plain-English guides, with the same live state fees.

Getting started

The best state to form an LLC as a non-resident (2026)

Wyoming or New Mexico suits most non-residents forming a US LLC. How Delaware, Nevada, Florida and Texas compare on yearly cost, taxes, privacy and investors.

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State costs

LLC annual report fees by state (2026)

LLC annual report fees by state for 2026, from $0 in New Mexico to $810 a year in California. Due dates, biennial states, franchise taxes and late penalties.

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Getting started

How to form a US LLC as a non-resident (2026 step-by-step guide)

Form a US LLC from abroad in 2026 without a visa or SSN: choose a state ($103 in Wyoming), get an EIN, open a bank account and keep up with yearly filings.

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Tax & IRS

How to get an EIN without an SSN or ITIN (2026)

No SSN or ITIN? Get your LLC's EIN with Form SS-4 by phone, fax or mail. Current IRS numbers, real 2026 processing times, and the mistakes that delay it.

10 min readRead
Ready when you are

Form your California LLC

Starter is $349 a year plus the $90 state fee at cost. EIN and registered agent included.

Form in California