How to Start an LLC in California

Starting an LLC in California Is Easy With These 6 Steps

STEP 1: Name Your California LLC

Choosing a company name is the first and most important step in starting your LLC. Be sure to choose a name that complies with California naming requirements and is easily searchable by potential clients.

1. Follow the naming guidelines for a California LLC:

• Your name must include the phrase “limited liability company,” or one of its abbreviations or words: “LLC, L.L.C., Limited, Ltd., Company or Co.”
• Your name cannot include words that could confuse your LLC with a government agency (FBI, Treasury, State Department, etc.).
• Restricted words (e.g. Bank, Attorney, University) may require additional paperwork and a licensed individual, such as a doctor or lawyer, to be part of your LLC.
• For a complete list of naming rules in California, you can read California's Code of Regulations.

2. Is the name available in California? Make sure the name you want isn't already taken by doing a business name search on the State of California website.

3. Is the URL available? It is a good idea that you check online to see if your business name is available as a web domain. Even if you don't plan to make a business website today, you may want to buy the URL in order to prevent others from acquiring it.

Now that you have verified your name and secured the URL you may select a professional business formation service to complete the LLC formation process for you. We recommend using a professional service:

• Northwest ($29 + State Fees)

STEP 2: Choose a Registered Agent in California

You are required to appoint a California Agent for Service of Process for your California LLC. An Agent for Service of Process is more commonly known as a Registered Agent in other states.

What is an Agent of Service of Process? An Agent Of Service Of Process is a person or business entity responsible for receiving important tax forms, legal documents, notice of lawsuits, and official government correspondence on behalf of your business. Think of your registered agent as your business' point of contact with the state.

Who can be an Agent Of Service Of Process? An Agent of Service of Process must be a full-time resident of California or a corporation, such as an Agent of Service of Process, authorized to conduct business in the state of California. You may elect an individual within the company including yourself.

Recommended: Northwest provides the first year of registered agent service free with LLC formation ($29 + State Fees)

STEP 3: File Your California LLC Articles of Organization

To register your California LLC, you'll need to file Form LLC-1 - Articles of Organization with the California Secretary of State. You can apply online, by mail, or in person.

Now is a good time to determine whether your LLC will be member-managed vs. manager-managed.

Note: California has waived LLC formation fees from July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2023.

For help with completing the form, visit our California Articles of Organization guide.

If you’re expanding your existing LLC to the State of California, you'll need to form a Foreign LLC.

STEP 4: File the Initial Statement of Information

All California LLCs are required to file an Initial Statement of Information (Form LLC-12) with the California Secretary of State within 90 days of formation. This can be done in-person, by mail, or on the Secretary of State website.

STEP 5: Create a California LLC Operating Agreement

An operating agreement is required when forming an LLC in California.

What is an operating agreement? An operating agreement is a legal document outlining the ownership and operating procedures of an LLC.

Why are operating agreements important? A comprehensive operating agreement ensures that all business owners are on the same page and reduces the risk of future conflict.

For more information on operating agreements, read our California LLC operating agreement guide.

STEP 6: Get a California LLC EIN

What is an EIN? EIN stands for Employer Identification Number. EINs are a nine-digit number assigned by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to help identify businesses for tax purposes. It is essentially a Social Security number for a business.

An EIN is sometimes referred to as a Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN) or Federal Tax Identification Number (FTIN).

Why do I need an EIN? An EIN is required to:

• Open a business bank account
• File and manage federal and state taxes
• Hire employees

What if I already have an EIN for my sole proprietorship? The IRS requires that a sole proprietorship gets a new EIN when converting to an LLC.

Where do I get an EIN? You can get an EIN for free from the IRS. Getting an EIN is an easy process that can be done online or by mail.

FOR INTERNATIONAL EIN APPLICANTS: You do not need a SSN to get an EIN. For more information, read our How to Get an EIN as a Foreign Person guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Important Steps After Forming an LLC

Separate Your Personal and Business Assets

When your personal and business accounts are mixed, your personal assets (your home, car, and other valuables) are at risk in the event your California LLC is sued. In business law, this is referred to as piercing the corporate veil.

You can start protecting your LLC in California with these steps:

1. Opening a business checking account:

• Separates your personal assets from your company's assets, which is necessary for personal asset protection.
• Makes accounting and tax filing easier.

Need help finding your EIN for your bank application? Visit our EIN Lookup guide for help.

Recommended: Read our Best Banks for Small Business review to find the best national bank, credit union, business-loan friendly banks, one with many brick-and-mortar locations, and more.

2. Getting a business credit card:

• Helps categorize and separate all business expenses for end-of-year tax purposes.
• Helps build your business credit score — an essential step toward getting a line of credit or business loan in the future.
• Allows you to keep track of department expenses by issuing multiple cards (with multiple budgets) to your employees.

For a closer look at business credit cards and their benefits, check out our review of the best small business credit cards.

3. Hiring a business accountant:

• Prevents your business from overpaying on taxes while helping you avoid penalties, fines, and other costly tax errors
• Makes bookkeeping and payroll easier, leaving you with more time to focus on your growing business 
• Manages your business funding more effectively, discovering areas of unforeseen loss or extra profit

Recommended: Find out how much you could be saving today by trying our recommended accounting service.

For more business accounting tools, read our guide to the best business accounting software.

Get Business Insurance for Your LLC

Business insurance helps you manage risks, reduce personal liability, and focus on growing your business. The most common types of business insurance are:

• General Liability Insurance: A broad insurance policy that protects your business from lawsuits. Most small businesses get general liability insurance.
• Professional Liability Insurance: A business insurance for professional service providers (consultants, accountants, etc.) that covers claims of malpractice and other business errors.
• Workers' Compensation Insurance: A type of insurance that provides coverage for employees’ job-related illnesses, injuries, or deaths.

Read our review of the best small business insurance companies.

Create Your Website

Creating a website is an important step in legitimizing your business. Every business needs a website if you want your customers to find you.

Send Out a Press Release

Press releases are among the easiest and best ways to promote your business. They are also one of the most cost-effective strategies as they:

• Provides publicity
• Establish your brand presence on the web
• Improve your website’s search engine optimization (SEO), driving more customers to your website
• Are a one-time cost in terms of effort and money
• Have long-lasting benefits

Keep Your Company Compliant

California Business Permits & Licenses

To operate your LLC in California you must comply with federal, state, and local government regulations. For example, restaurants likely need health permits, building permits, signage permits, etc.

The details of business licenses and permits vary from state to state. Make sure you read carefully. Don't be surprised if there are short classes required as well.

Fees for business licenses and permits will vary depending on what sort of license you are seeking to obtain.

Find out how to obtain necessary California business licenses and permits for your LLC or have a professional service do it for you:

• Business License Guide: Use our detailed California Business License guide.
• Federal: Use the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) guide to federal business licenses and permits.
• State: Apply for or learn more about licenses, permits and registration with the State of California's Department of Tax and Fee Administration website.
• Local: Contact your local county clerk and ask about local business licenses and permits.

California LLC Tax Filing Requirements

In order to keep your business in good standing, it's important to stay up to date on your California LLC taxes.

Depending on the nature of your business, you may be required to register for one or more forms of state tax:

Sales Tax

If you are selling a physical product, you’ll typically need to register for a seller's permit through the state of California’s website. This certificate allows a business to collect sales tax on taxable sales.

Sales tax, also called "Sales and Use Tax," is a tax levied by states, counties, and municipalities on business transactions involving the exchange of certain taxable goods or services.

Read our California sales tax guide to find out more.

Employer Taxes

If you hire employees, you will need to register for California Employer Taxes, which include Employee Withholding Tax, Unemployment Insurance Tax, and Disability Insurance through the California Payroll website.

Federal LLC Tax Filing Requirements

Most LLCs will need to report their income to the IRS each year using:

• Form 1065 Partnership Return (most multi-member LLCs use this form)
• Form 1040 Schedule C (most single-member LLCs use this form)

How you pay yourself as an LLC owner will also affect your federal taxes. Visit our guide to learn more about how to pay yourself from your LLC.

File Your California LLC Statement of Information

LLCs in California are required to file a biennial report, also known as the Statement of Information, with the California Secretary of State. This must be submitted on paper, by mail or in person (drop off).

California LLCs are required to pay an annual Franchise Tax. You can do this online or by mail.

Avoid Automatic Dissolution

LLCs may face fines and even automatic dissolution when they miss one or more state filings. When this happens, LLC owners risk loss of limited liability protection. A quality registered agent service can help prevent this outcome by notifying you of upcoming filing deadlines, and even submitting reports on your behalf for an additional fee.

California LLC Annual Tax and LLC Fee

All LLCs doing business in the state of California must pay a flat annual tax, even if they didn’t conduct business during that tax year. This is first due on the 15th day of the fourth month following your LLC’s formation date.

Additionally, LLCs that make more than $250,000 in California income each year must pay an LLC fee. This fee increases depending on the amount of income:

• $250,000–$499,999: $900
• $500,000–$999,999: $2,500
• $1 million–$4.99 million: $6,000
• $5 million+: $11,790

LLCs that make less than $250,000 do not have to pay the fee for that year.

Hiring Employees

If you plan to hire employees for your California LLC, stay compliant with California law by following these steps:

• Verify that new employees are able to work in the US
• Report employees as "new hires" to the state
• Provide workers' compensation insurance for employees
• Withhold employee taxes
• Print workplace compliance posters and place them in visible areas of your workspace

For more information, check out California's Tax Service Center.

Small Business Resources

Get Help Starting a Business in California

We understand that creating an LLC and getting your business up and running comes with many challenges. To help you succeed, we compiled the best local resources in every major metro area in California. You can get free assistance in the following areas:

Fresno | Irvine | Los Angeles | Oakland | Sacramento | San Diego | San Francisco | San Jose

State of California Quick Links

• GO-Biz: California's One-Stop-Shop for Business
• California Secretary of State - Business Entities
  
• California Tax Service Center
  
• California LLC Statutes
• Contact California SOS
• Understanding California LLC Laws
• California LLC Annual Report
• Best Registered Agent Service in California
• California LLC Legal Resources

More California LLC Information

California Foreign LLCs

Forming a foreign LLC allows your company to operate as one entity in multiple states. If you have an existing LLC and want to do business in California, you will need to register as a foreign LLC. This can be done by mail.

How to Obtain a Certificate of Good Standing in California

A Certificate of Good Standing, known in California as a Certificate of Status, verifies that your LLC in California was legally formed and has been properly maintained. Several instances where you might need to get one include:

• Seeking funding from banks or other lenders
• Forming your business as a foreign LLC in another state
• Obtaining or renewing specific business licenses or permits

To order a Certificate of Status in California, you must complete the Business Entities Records Request Form. You can submit this form either in person at the Secretary of State, or by mail.

How to Dissolve an LLC in California

If at any point in the future you no longer wish to conduct business with your LLC, it is important to officially dissolve it. Failure to do so in a timely fashion can result in tax liabilities and penalties, or even legal trouble. To dissolve your California LLC, there are two broad steps:

• Close your business tax accounts
• File the Articles of Dissolution

When you are ready to dissolve your LLC, follow the steps in our California LLC Dissolution Guide.