California LLC Filing Fee: $70 for Articles of Organization (Form LLC-1)
It costs $70 to file Articles of Organization, Form LLC-1, with the California Secretary of State in 2026. You file through bizfile Online, the Secretary's online system, and online submissions get priority over paper.
Two more state charges follow right behind it, and they are the ones people miss:
- Statement of Information (Form LLC-12): $20, due within 90 days of filing the Articles, then every two years.
- Annual LLC tax: $800 a year to the Franchise Tax Board (Form FTB 3522), owed by every LLC registered with the Secretary of State until it cancels.
California LLC fees at a glance
| Filing | Form | Fee | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| Articles of Organization | LLC-1 | $70 | Once, to form the LLC |
| Statement of Information | LLC-12 | $20 | Within 90 days of filing, then every 2 years |
| Annual LLC tax (Franchise Tax Board) | FTB 3522 | $800 | First by the 15th day of the 4th month after filing; then the 15th day of the 4th month of each tax year (April 15 for calendar-year LLCs) |
| LLC fee on California income of $250,000 or more | FTB 3536 | From $900 | Estimated by the 15th day of the 6th month |
| Statement of Information not filed after notice | $250 penalty | 60 days after the Secretary's delinquency notice | |
| Name reservation (optional) | $10 | Holds a name for 60 days | |
| 24-hour or same-day processing (optional) | $350 or $750 | Online or Sacramento drop-off |
New for 2027: under an amendment to Revenue and Taxation Code § 17941 (SB 180, effective July 13, 2026), an LLC whose first taxable year begins between January 1, 2027 and January 1, 2030 pays a $400 annual tax for that first year instead of $800. An LLC formed in 2026 still owes $800 for its first year.
Where these figures come from
- The Secretary of State's LLC forms page lists "Formation - Articles of Organization ... Form LLC-1 ... $70.00", and the LLC-1 form (PDF) repeats "Filing Fee - $70.00".
- The Statement of Information page gives the $20 fee and the 90-day and two-year schedule, set by Corporations Code § 17702.09.
- Revenue and Taxation Code § 17941 sets the $800 annual tax and the 2027 to 2029 first-year rate; the Franchise Tax Board's LLC page explains when it is due.
- Expedite prices are on the Secretary's service options page.
How to file California Articles of Organization
- Check the name with Business Search on bizfile Online. It must include "limited liability company", "L.L.C." or "LLC" ("Limited" may be "Ltd." and "Company" may be "Co.") and can't use words like "bank", "trust", "incorporated" or "corporation".
- Choose an agent for service of process, California's term for a registered agent: a California resident or a registered 1505 corporate agent. The LLC can't act as its own agent, and the agent's name and street address become public record.
- File Form LLC-1 and pay $70 on bizfile Online. The form asks for the name, principal office and mailing address, the agent, and whether one manager, several managers or the members run the LLC.
- File the Statement of Information (LLC-12, $20) within 90 days.
- Pay the $800 tax to the Franchise Tax Board with Form 3522 by the 15th day of the 4th month after you file.
Have us file it for you
Our California LLC formation is $199 plus the $70 state fee, passed through at cost, and your first year of registered agent service is included (then $99 a year). We prepare your Articles of Organization and file them with the Secretary of State for you.
$199 + $70 California state filing fee = $269 due today
FAQ
How much does it cost to file an LLC in California?
The Secretary of State charges $70 for the Articles of Organization (Form LLC-1). Within 90 days you also file a $20 Statement of Information, and the Franchise Tax Board collects an $800 annual LLC tax.
Is the $800 California LLC tax due in the first year?
Yes, for an LLC formed in 2026: the first-year exemption only covered LLCs formed in 2021 through 2023. For taxable years beginning in 2027 through 2029, the first year's tax is $400.
What happens if I don't file the Statement of Information?
After the Secretary of State sends a delinquency notice, an LLC that still hasn't filed within 60 days faces a $250 penalty, collected by the Franchise Tax Board, and risks suspension or forfeiture.