California LLC (formation and yearly) cost in 2026
California LLC (formation and yearly) costs $890 to $1,190 per year one in 2026, and most people pay about $990.
What moves the price
- The state filing fee for the Articles of Organization is a flat $70.
- The yearly minimum franchise tax is $800.
- LLCs with California income over $250,000 pay an extra fee of $900 to $11,790.
- A registered agent costs about $100 to $300 per year.
- Filing services add their own fee on top of the state fees.
- Where you live. Prices in big cities usually run higher than in small towns.
What is included
The range is per year one, state fees plus registered agent. The $70 covers filing the Articles of Organization. The $20 Statement of Information is due every two years, and the $800 yearly tax is paid to the Franchise Tax Board. A registered agent, an operating agreement and any filing service are extra.
State fees for a California LLC
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Articles of Organization (filed once) | $70 |
| Statement of Information (every two years) | $20 |
| Minimum yearly tax | $800 |
| Late Statement of Information penalty | $250 |
| Registered agent (yearly, optional) | $100 to $300 |
Average prices in US dollars. Source: Franchise Tax Board.
Extra yearly LLC fee by California income
| California income | Fee |
|---|---|
| Under $250,000 | $0 |
| $250,000 to $499,999 | $900 |
| $500,000 to $999,999 | $2,500 |
| $1,000,000 to $4,999,999 | $6,000 |
| $5,000,000 or more | $11,790 |
Average prices in US dollars. Source: Franchise Tax Board.
Ways to pay less
- File the forms yourself with the state to skip filing service fees.
- Act as your own registered agent if the rules allow it.
- Close an unused LLC so the $800 yearly tax stops.
What price guides say
We checked 4 price guides and read every number on their pages. They do not all measure the same thing, so the ranges on this page come from putting them side by side.
- Franchise Tax Board: Limited liability company
- ZenBusiness: California LLC Cost Guide (2026)
- State Business Compliance: California LLC Taxes and Fees 2026
- BizFilings (Wolters Kluwer): California LLC requirements
Common questions
How much does this cost in 2026?
California LLC (formation and yearly) costs $890 to $1,190 per year one in 2026, and most people pay about $990. Most people pay about $990 per year one. The low end is $890 and the high end is $1,190.
What changes the price the most?
The biggest factors are: The state filing fee for the Articles of Organization is a flat $70; The yearly minimum franchise tax is $800; LLCs with California income over $250,000 pay an extra fee of $900 to $11,790.
How can I pay less?
File the forms yourself with the state to skip filing service fees. Act as your own registered agent if the rules allow it. Close an unused LLC so the $800 yearly tax stops.
Where do these numbers come from?
From 4 named price guides: Franchise Tax Board, ZenBusiness, State Business Compliance, BizFilings (Wolters Kluwer). Each one is linked on this page with the date we read it.
Related costs
Compare prices
Related jobs people check next, with the usual 2026 price.
| Job | Usual price |
|---|---|
| Closing costs in California cost | $14.7K to $45.2K |
| Delaware LLC (formation and yearly) cost | $110 to $410 |
| Cost to start an LLC | $35 to $500 |
| Living in California (per month) cost | $3,804 to $5,630 |