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California Business Services

Specialized formation and compliance services for businesses incorporated or doing business in California — handled by people who know the California Secretary of State, Franchise Tax Board, and city/county requirements inside out.

Based in Laguna Beach. 19 years of experience guiding California entrepreneurs through formation, the dreaded $800 minimum franchise tax, and the Statement of Information that catches everyone off guard.

California small business owner reviewing entity formation documents

What's Different About California?

$800 Franchise Tax

California charges an annual minimum franchise tax of $800 for nearly every LLC, corporation, and limited partnership — whether or not the business made any money. First-year LLCs formed after 2021 may qualify for a waiver.

Statement of Information

Within 90 days of formation and every 1–2 years after, you must file a Statement of Information with the CA Secretary of State. Miss this and your entity is suspended. We track it for you.

City/County Requirements

Most CA cities require a separate business license on top of state registration. Some counties add their own. We map out exactly what your specific business needs and handle the filings.

California Services & Pricing

Pricing shown is a starting point — Linda to confirm before going live. Each service includes state fees passed through at cost.

Formation

  • California LLC Formation — starting at $650 + state fees
  • California S-Corp / C-Corp Formation — starting at $650 + state fees
  • California Nonprofit (without Tax-Exempt) — starting at $600
  • California Nonprofit (with 501(c)(3) Tax-Exempt) — starting at $1,000
  • DBA / Fictitious Business Name — pricing TBD
  • Foreign Qualification (out-of-state entity registering in CA) — pricing TBD

Every formation includes Articles of Incorporation/Organization filed with the CA Secretary of State, EIN, corporate kit with seal, and initial Statement of Information.

Ongoing Compliance

  • Statement of Information Filing — pricing TBD
  • $800 Franchise Tax Reminder & Filing Support — pricing TBD
  • City Business License Application — varies by city
  • Annual Compliance Calendar — pricing TBD
  • Registered Agent Service — pricing TBD
  • Reinstatement of Suspended Entity — pricing TBD

We track every deadline the CA Secretary of State and Franchise Tax Board impose, so you never lose good standing.

California FAQs

Do I really have to pay $800 a year even if my LLC didn’t earn anything?
In most cases yes — the $800 minimum franchise tax applies to any LLC, corporation, LP, or LLP doing business in California regardless of revenue. First-year LLCs formed January 1, 2021 through December 31, 2023 were exempt under AB 85, but that waiver has now sunset. Always confirm your year-specific eligibility with us before filing.
What is a Statement of Information and why do people keep getting in trouble for it?
It’s a short filing with the CA Secretary of State listing your business address, officers/managers, and agent for service of process. LLCs file it every 2 years; corporations file annually. Miss it and your entity gets a Suspended status — meaning you can’t sue, can’t enforce contracts, and lose access to your business name. Reinstatement is more expensive than just staying current.
Do I need a city business license on top of forming with the state?
Almost always yes. Cities and unincorporated county areas in California require their own business license. The cost varies wildly — some cities charge a flat $50, others charge by gross receipts. We map out exactly what your business address requires and handle the filing.
Can I form a California entity if I don’t live in California?
Yes — non-residents can form California LLCs and corporations. But you’ll still need a California agent for service of process (we provide this), and you’ll need to consider whether forming in California vs. registering as a foreign entity makes more sense for your situation.
What about FBN / DBA filings?
California’s DBA process is called a Fictitious Business Name (FBN) statement, filed at the county level — not with the Secretary of State. There’s also a newspaper publication requirement (4 consecutive weeks) in most counties. We handle the county filing and the newspaper coordination.

Need a California Specialist?

Tell us about your California business — current, planned, or out-of-state. We’ll send back a concrete plan and a quote within 24 hours.

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