Skip to content
Oakclause

LLC Filing Fees in California

In California, filing LLC articles of organization costs $70, the statement of information costs $20 and is due within 90 days of formation and then every two years, and every LLC owes an $800 annual tax.

Last checked . General information, not legal advice.

California at a glance

Formation filing fee
$70
Fee for filing articles of organization with the Secretary of State.
Annual or biennial report fee
$20 (biennial)
Changes to a statement of information between filings carry no fee.
Report frequency
Every two years
First statement of information is due within 90 days after the articles are filed, then biennially during the applicable filing period.
Annual LLC or franchise tax
Yes, $800 annual tax
Due every year until the LLC is canceled. An additional LLC fee applies if total California income is more than $250,000.

Sources

Last checked

The rules in California

How much does it cost to form an LLC in California?

Formation filing fee in California: $70. Fee for filing articles of organization with the Secretary of State.

How much is the LLC annual report fee in California?

Annual or biennial report fee in California: $20 (biennial). Changes to a statement of information between filings carry no fee.

How often must an LLC file a report in California?

Report frequency in California: Every two years. First statement of information is due within 90 days after the articles are filed, then biennially during the applicable filing period.

Does California charge an annual LLC tax or franchise tax?

Yes, $800 annual tax. Annual LLC or franchise tax in California: yes, $800 annual tax. Due every year until the LLC is canceled. An additional LLC fee applies if total California income is more than $250,000.

Where do the California LLC filing fees come from?

The rules above come from Cal. Gov. Code 12190, Cal. Corp. Code 17702.09 and Cal. Rev. and Tax. Code 17941. Each source is linked on this page. We last checked them in October 2026.

Good to know

The first-year exemption from the $800 annual tax applied only to tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2021, and before January 1, 2024; it no longer applies to new LLCs.

What this means in practice

Filing fees are often set in a state fee schedule and can change. Check the secretary of state's current fee schedule before you file, and expect extra charges for optional services such as expedited processing, certified copies, or name reservations.

Missing a required report or tax payment can lead to late fees and, after a period, administrative dissolution or loss of good standing. Put the due date on a calendar from the day the LLC is formed, since the first report may be due within the first year.

An LLC formed in one state that does business in another state may need to register there as a foreign LLC. That registration usually carries its own filing fee and its own report obligations in the second state.

General information, not legal advice. Laws change, and cities can add their own rules, so check the current statute before you rely on it.