California LLC Fees and Requirements Summary
| Requirement or Filing | Official Fee | Mandatory Deadline / Frequency | Official Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Articles of Organization (Form LLC-1) | $70.00 | One-time upon business formation | California Secretary of State |
| Initial Statement of Information (Form LLC-12) | $20.00 | Within 90 days of registration | California Secretary of State |
| Biennial Statement of Information (Form LLC-12) | $20.00 | Every 2 years during designated window | California Secretary of State |
| FTB Annual LLC Tax | $800 per year | 15th day of 4th month (Year 1); April 15 (subsequent years) | California Franchise Tax Board |
| First-Year Tax Exemption | Expired | Applied only to tax years from 1/1/2021 to before 1/1/2024 | California Franchise Tax Board |
| Short Form Cancellation | State fees vary | Short form cancellation within one year avoids the first-year $800 | California Franchise Tax Board |
| Federal EIN | $0 (free) | Requested after entity state registration | Internal Revenue Service |
| BOI Federal Reporting | Exempt | US-formed entities are exempt | Financial Crimes Enforcement Network |
| Operating Agreement | $0 (internal) | Mandatory requirement; not filed with the state | California Secretary of State |
DIY on bizfile Online vs. Using an LLC Service
When you form a California LLC yourself, your primary portal is bizfile Online, operated by the California Secretary of State. On bizfile Online, you submit Articles of Organization (Form LLC-1) for a $70.00 fee. However, bizfile Online is strictly a document portal, not an ongoing compliance system. It processes filings upon submission, but it does not send alerts across separate state agencies.
This page describes what filings require. It is not advice about your circumstances, and nothing here creates a professional relationship.
Using a commercial LLC service transfers deadline tracking, document preparation, and address privacy from you to a provider.
Franchise Tax Board Reminders and the $800 Annual Tax
California requires every LLC registered or doing business in the state to pay an annual tax of $800 per year. The temporary first-year $800 exemption has expired, as it applied only to tax years from 1/1/2021 to before 1/1/2024.
For a new LLC, the first-year annual tax due date is the 15th day of the 4th month after filing with the Secretary of State. For all subsequent years, the tax is due on April 15.
If you file DIY, bizfile Online does not send payment notices for FTB taxes because the Secretary of State and FTB operate separately. You must manually track your deadline and submit Form 3522 (LLC Tax Voucher) directly to the FTB. If an owner registers and decides to close quickly, short form cancellation within one year avoids the first-year $800 under specific statutory conditions. An LLC service integrates FTB deadlines into an online dashboard, sending automated alerts before payments are due.
Statement of Information Tracking (Form LLC-12)
California law mandates that every LLC file an Initial Statement of Information (Form LLC-12) with a $20.00 fee within 90 days of registration. Afterward, filings are required every two years during a designated six-month window.
Failure to file the Statement of Information causes suspension or forfeiture of the LLC. A suspended LLC loses its legal authority to conduct business in California. While you can log into bizfile Online every two years to submit Form LLC-12 yourself, a commercial service tracks this timeline automatically and submits filings on your behalf.
Registered Agent Requirements and Address Privacy
California requires every LLC to continuously maintain an agent for service of process. State rules clarify that an entity cannot act as its own agent for service of process. While individual owners living in California can act as agents, their physical street address becomes public record on bizfile Online. Commercial services provide registered agent representation, keeping your home address private while ensuring legal notices are processed promptly.
Internal Documents and Federal Filings
State portals only process documents submitted to California. Operating your business requires additional steps:
- Operating Agreement: An operating agreement is required under California law. However, the operating agreement is not filed with the state. DIY owners draft this internally, while services offer templates.
- Employer Identification Number (EIN): An EIN is free directly from the IRS.
- BOI Reporting: US-formed companies are exempt from federal BOI reporting. Neither you nor a service needs to submit federal BOI reports for domestic LLCs.
Provider Comparison
The table below compares commercial options for California LLC owners, listed alphabetically, not ranked.
| Provider | Base Package Fee (as of 2026) | Registered Agent Fee | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bizee | $0 + state fee | Free 1st year, then $119/yr | Digital dashboard, deadline alerts |
| LegalZoom | $0 + state fee | $249/yr | Compliance calendar, document vault |
| Northwest Registered Agent | $39 + state fee | $125/yr | Document scanning, address privacy |
| Rocket Lawyer | $99.99 + state fee | $149.99/yr | Legal consultations, business forms |
| Tailor Brands | $0 + state fee | $199/yr | Branding suite, compliance tracking |
| ZenBusiness | $0 + state fee | $99 1st year ($199/yr renewal) | Worry-free compliance, tax alerts |
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you file a California Statement of Information on bizfile?
To file your Statement of Information (Form LLC-12) on bizfile Online, log into your Secretary of State account, locate your LLC record, complete Form LLC-12, and pay the $20.00 fee. The initial filing is due within 90 days of registration.
How often must a California LLC file a Statement of Information?
According to the Secretary of State, filing Form LLC-12 every two years is mandatory after your initial 90-day submission. The filing window opens six months before your registration anniversary month. Failure to file causes suspension or forfeiture of the entity.
When is California's $800 annual LLC tax due?
For existing LLCs past their first year, the $800 annual tax is due April 15 to the California Franchise Tax Board. For new LLCs in their first year, the tax is due on the 15th day of the 4th month after filing Articles of Organization with the Secretary of State.
Choosing Between DIY on bizfile and an LLC Service
Filing DIY on bizfile Online makes sense if you want to keep costs minimal and feel comfortable tracking state deadlines yourself. You pay only the mandatory $70.00 Secretary of State fee for Articles of Organization, the $20.00 fee for Form LLC-12, and $800 directly to the FTB. Getting an EIN on IRS.gov is straightforward and $0 (free).
However, if you want address privacy, automated alerts, and compliance management, a service is worth the cost. For business owners seeking automated alerts and registered agent services, ZenBusiness provides a practical solution. Their Starter tier is $0 plus state fee, Pro is $199/yr, and Premium is $299/yr. Registered agent representation is a separate $199/yr service on all tiers, discounted to $99 for the first year when forming through them.
This site earns a commission on some links. That never changes which option the page recommends, and recommendations are based strictly on practical fit for your business needs.
Sources
- Internal Revenue Service, “Get an employer identification number”
- Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, “Beneficial Ownership Information Reporting”
- California Secretary of State, “Limited Liability Companies (LLC) - California”
- California Secretary of State, “Starting a Business – Entity Types”
- California Secretary of State, “Business Entities Frequently Asked Questions”
- California Secretary of State, “Field Status Definitions and Suspensions”
- California Franchise Tax Board, “Limited Liability Company”
This is general information rather than legal advice, and requirements vary by state and change over time.