California
Any state, same service, same price for our work
Start an LLC in California from anywhere in the world.
A California LLC formed for you within 48 hours, with a registered agent in California and your EIN from the IRS included.
State fee
$70
Processing
1–2 weeks
Each year
$800 franchise tax + statement of information $20
- Articles of Organization filed with the state of California
- Registered agent with a California street address, 12 months
- EIN from the IRS, no SSN needed
- Operating agreement and compliance calendar
- Introduction to Mercury for a US business bank account
Your price
The registered agent renews at $45 a year; nothing else recurs with us. The state asks: $800 franchise tax + statement of information $20.
Start in CaliforniaAfter you pay
What happens with your California LLC
Filed within 48 hours
We prepare and file your Articles of Organization with California, with the registered agent in place. The state typically takes 1–2 weeks.
EIN from the IRS
As soon as the state approves, your EIN application goes to the IRS. The EIN letter usually arrives within a few business days and lands on your order page.
Bank and bookkeeping
With your articles, EIN letter and operating agreement you apply at Mercury through our introduction. Add CORA and your bookkeeping is ready the same day.
Good to know
Forming a California LLC from abroad
Who can form a California LLC
Anyone. California does not ask members or managers of an LLC to be US citizens or residents, and you do not need to travel to the United States. What the state does require is a registered agent with a street address in California, which is part of every order with us.
How the filing works
A California LLC comes into existence when the state accepts the Articles of Organization. We prepare and file it for you within 48 hours of your payment. The state usually needs 1–2 weeks after that. The state filing fee is $70, passed on at cost.
What it costs each year
Every year California asks for: $800 franchise tax + statement of information $20. We put the date in your compliance calendar and remind you ahead of time. With us, only the registered agent renews, at $45 a year.
Taxes in California
California has a state income tax, but it applies to income connected to the state. A foreign-owned LLC with no office, staff or customers in California often has little or no state tax to pay; federal reporting to the IRS applies in every state. This is general information, not tax advice.
California FAQ
Questions about a California LLC
How much does a California LLC cost with startyour.llc?
$155 in total: $40 for our work with the EIN included, $45 for the registered agent for the first year, and the $70 state filing fee.
How long does it take to form an LLC in California?
We file within 48 hours of payment. California typically takes 1–2 weeks to approve. Your EIN follows within a few business days of the approval.
Can a non-US resident own a California LLC?
Yes. There is no citizenship or residency requirement for members or managers. You need a registered agent in California, which we include.
Do I need an SSN or ITIN to get an EIN for my California LLC?
No. The IRS issues EINs to foreign-owned LLCs without an SSN or ITIN. We prepare the application, you sign it online, and we handle it with the IRS.
What does California require every year?
$800 franchise tax + statement of information $20. You also keep a registered agent and meet your federal IRS filings.
Or somewhere else
Compare California with another state
Costs, approval time, yearly obligations, taxes and privacy side by side, with the advantages and disadvantages of each.
