Resources for Starting and Maintaining a Business in California
At CorpNet our mission is to help you start your business and help you keep it in compliance. To assist you in your entrepreneurial journey, we’ve collected answers to the most frequently asked questions small business owners have about starting and maintaining a business in the state of California.
Our goal is to provide you with a one-stop solution for all of your business, payroll tax registrations, and compliance filings. And if we can help you along the way, our team of entity filings and compliance experts is just a call away.
Quick Facts for Starting a California Business
Expedited Services Available: Yes
New Business Publishing Required: No
Private Registration Available: No
Registered Agent Required: Yes*
Annual Report Required: Yes
Franchise Tax Required: Yes
State Sales Tax: 7.25%
State Income Tax: 8.84%
Unemployment Insurance: 1.5% – 6.2%
*DBAs do not require a registered agent in California.
California Business Entity Options
| Business Entity Type | State Registration Fees | Applicable Form |
| General Partnership (Optional to Register) | $70 | Statement of Partnership Authority (Form GP-1) |
| Domestic Limited Partnership (LP) | $70 | Certificate of Limited Partnership (Form LP-1) |
| Domestic Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) | $70 | Application to Register a Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) (Form LLP-1) |
| Domestic General Stock Corporation | $100 | Articles of Incorporation of a General Stock Corporation (Form ARTS-GS) |
| Domestic Close Corporation | $100 | Articles of Incorporation of a Close Corporation (Form ARTS-CL) |
| Domestic Professional Corporation | $100 | Articles of Incorporation of a Professional Corporation (Form ARTS-PC) |
| Domestic Nonprofit Mutual Benefit Corporation | $30 | Articles of Incorporation of a Nonprofit Mutual Benefit Corporation (Form ARTS-MU) |
| Domestic Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation | $30 | Articles of Incorporation of a Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation (Form ARTS-PB-501(c)(3)) |
| Domestic Nonprofit Religious Corporation | $30 | Articles of Incorporation of a Nonprofit Religious Corporation (Form ARTS-RE) |
| Domestic Common Interest Development Association | $30 | Articles of Incorporation of a Common Interest Development Association (Form ARTS-CID) |
| Domestic Limited Liability Company (LLC) | $70 | Articles of Organization Limited Liability Company (LLC) (Form LLC-1) |
| Unincorporated Nonprofit Association | $10 | Registration of Unincorporated Nonprofit Association (Form UNA-128) |
| Foreign Limited Partnership (LP) | $70 | Application for Registration Foreign Limited Partnership (LP) (Form LP-5) |
| Foreign Stock Corporation | $100 | Statement and Designation by Foreign Corporation (Form S&DC-S/N) |
| Foreign Insurer Corporation | $100 | Statement and Designation by Foreign Insurer Corporation (Form S&DC-INS) |
| Foreign Nonprofit Corporation | $30 | Statement and Designation by Foreign Nonprofit Corporation (Form S&DC-S/N) |
| Foreign Professional Corporation | $100 | Statement and Designation by Foreign Professional Corporation (Form S&DC-PC) |
| Foreign Limited Liability Company (LLC) | $70 | Application to Register Foreign Limited Liability Company (LLC) (Form LLC-5) |
Not Sure Which Type of Business You Need?
Launch CorpNet’s Business Structure Wizard to get suggested entities based on your unique needs. It’s free and easy to use.
Key California Government Resources
California Secretary of State
1500 11th Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
sos.ca.gov
State of California State Franchise Board
PO Box 942857
Sacramento, CA 94257- 0500
ftb.ca.gov
A Guide for Starting a Business in the State of California
If you’ve been thinking about starting a business in California, you’re in good company. California is one of the most popular states for conducting business.
The most popular business structure options include a Sole Proprietorship, C Corporation, S Corporation, and a Limited Liability Company (LLC).
Feeling Overwhelmed? CorpNet Is Here To Help!
Below are all the ways CorpNet can help you and your business.
Our knowledge team of experts is here to help and all our services are backed by our 100% Satisfaction Guarantee.
Business Formation and Launch
- Business Name Search
- Business Name Reservation
- Form a California LLC
- Incorporate in California
- File a DBA
- Appoint a Registered Agent in California
- Obtain an Employee Identification Number (EIN)
- Register for California Payroll Taxes
- Request a Permit for Sales and Use Tax
- Research California Business Licenses
Ongoing Business Compliance
Need a Small Business Compliance Checklist?
Business compliance can slip through the cracks! As your existing business evolves, you are required to file notify the state of any changes. Many business owners lose sight of these requirements and fail to realize they haven’t met compliance requirements.
Use our compliance checklist to determine which business filings you need to perform to manage this year’s activities and changes.
Additional Resources and Articles
Compare Entities
- Business Structures Chart
- Choosing a Business Structure
- Business Structures Wizard
- Sole Proprietorship vs. Partnership
- Sole Proprietorship vs. LLC
- LLC vs. Partnership
- LLC vs. Corporation
- C Corporation vs. S Corporation
- S Corporation vs. LLC
- LLC vs. S Corp vs. C Corp
- DBA vs. LLC
- LLP vs. LLC
- LLC vs. PLLC
- Professional Corporation vs. LLC
- Single Member vs. Multiple Member LLC
- Member vs. Manager-Managed LLC
- Domestic LLC vs. Foreign LLC
Common Questions
- What is a Certificate of Incorporation?
- What is a Certificate of Registration?
- What is a Statement of Information?
- What are Articles of Incorporation?
- What are Articles of Organization?
- What is an Annual Franchise Tax Report?
- What is a Certificate of Authority?
- What is a Statement of Purpose?
- What Is a Fictitious Name?
- What is a Pass-Through Entity?
- What is the Owner of an LLC Called?
- What is the Role of an LLC Organizer?
- What Is a Registered Agent?
- What is a Statutory Agent?
- What is a Reseller License?
- What is a Corporate Resolution?
- What Is a Letter of Good Standing?
