FormedIn

California Secretary of State

How Much Does a Corporation Cost in California?

Forming a corporation in California means filing the Articles of Incorporation with the California Secretary of State. The calculator below separates official government fees from estimates, and fixed costs from variable ones.

Entity type
LLCCorporation

An S corporation is a federal tax election, not a state entity type — both LLCs and corporations may qualify for it.

Registered agent

First-year government fees — California Corporation

$125

First-year government fees for a California Corporation: $125

Official state fees

Articles of Incorporation filing fee$100
Initial Statement of InformationDue within 90 days of incorporation$25

Ongoing fixed fees

Statement of Information (annual)Due every year during the six-month window ending in the anniversary month of incorporation$25 / yr
Minimum franchise taxDue annually to the Franchise Tax Board by the 15th day of the 4th month of the tax year$800 / yr

≈ $825/yr annualized for comparison — actual payment schedule shown above.

Five-year outlook

Fixed government fees (5 yrs)$3,425
Estimated total (5 yrs)$3,425

Varies by business — excluded from totals

  • Franchise tax above the minimum (8.84% of net income). California taxes corporate net income at 8.84%; the $800 minimum acts as a floor. The amount above the minimum depends entirely on income.

Educational estimate based on official fee schedules verified July 12, 2026 — not legal or tax advice. Fees, rules, and processing times change; confirm with the state or a qualified professional before relying on them.

The numbers behind this page

Every figure comes from the typed data record for California, verified July 12, 2026 against the sources listed at the bottom of this page.

Formation fees — California Corporation
FeeAmountScheduleType
Articles of Incorporation filing fee$100One-timeOfficial state fee
Initial Statement of Information$25One-timeDue within 90 days of incorporationOfficial state fee

† Partially verified — corroborated but not confirmed on a machine-readable official page.

Recurring & conditional obligations — California Corporation
FeeAmountScheduleType
Statement of Information (annual)$25AnnualDue every year during the six-month window ending in the anniversary month of incorporationOfficial state fee
Minimum franchise tax

Newly incorporated California corporations are generally exempt from the $800 minimum for their first taxable year, but still owe franchise tax measured by net income (8.84%) for that year. From the second year, the greater of $800 or the measured tax applies.

$800AnnualDue annually to the Franchise Tax Board by the 15th day of the 4th month of the tax yearOfficial state fee
Franchise tax above the minimum (8.84% of net income)

California taxes corporate net income at 8.84%; the $800 minimum acts as a floor. The amount above the minimum depends entirely on income.

VariesVariableOfficial state fee

† Partially verified — corroborated but not confirmed on a machine-readable official page.

Filing process & processing times

File online through bizfile Online with the Secretary of State.

Processing options for California Corporation filings
OptionTypical turnaroundAdded feeNotes
Standard processing (online)3–10 business daysNoneTurnaround varies with filing volume; the Secretary of State posts current processing times
24-hour expedited service1–1 business days$350Available only for documents dropped off in person in Sacramento
Same-day expedited service0–1 business days$750Available only for documents dropped off in person in Sacramento by 9:30 a.m.

Processing times are estimates based on currently available official guidance and change with filing volume — they are not guaranteed.

Registered agent costs

Every California Corporationmust continuously maintain a registered agent with a physical in-state address. Acting as your own agent costs $0 where you meet the state's eligibility rules; commercial services typically run $100–$300 per year. The calculator uses $200 — the midpoint of that range — when you choose a hired service.

Midpoint of the typical advertised price range for national commercial registered-agent services as of July 2026 (e.g. Northwest Registered Agent $125/yr, ZenBusiness $199/yr, LegalZoom $249/yr). Budget providers advertise below this range and premium corporate-service firms above it. Serving as your own agent costs $0 where you meet state eligibility rules.

Worth knowing about California

  • California's $800 annual franchise tax is paid to the Franchise Tax Board and is separate from Secretary of State filing fees — it is the largest recurring cost for most small California entities.
  • Statements of Information can be filed online through bizfile Online; late filing can trigger a $250 penalty assessed by the Franchise Tax Board.

California Corporation cost FAQs

How much does it cost to start a corporation in California?

The California Secretary of State charges $125 to file the Articles of Incorporation. That figure excludes optional services and any variable taxes, which depend on your circumstances.

What are the ongoing costs of a corporation in California?

California corporations generally must pay the statement of Information (annual) of $25 per year (due every year during the six-month window ending in the anniversary month of incorporation) and the minimum franchise tax of $800 per year (due annually to the Franchise Tax Board by the 15th day of the 4th month of the tax year). In addition, franchise tax above the minimum (8.84% of net income) may apply depending on your revenue, assets, or activity — these are variable, so they aren't included in fixed totals.

How long does it take to form a corporation in California?

Standard processing generally takes about 3–10 business days. Expedited options are available: 24-hour expedited service for $350 and same-day expedited service for $750. Processing times change with filing volume, so confirm current turnaround with the state before relying on a date.

Do I need a registered agent for a corporation in California?

Yes. Every California corporation must continuously maintain a registered agent with a physical address in the state to receive legal and official mail. You can generally act as your own agent at no cost if you meet the state's eligibility rules, or hire a commercial service — typically $100–$300 per year. Whether serving as your own agent is practical depends on your circumstances, including privacy and availability during business hours.

How does the California franchise tax above the minimum work for corporations?

California taxes corporate net income at 8.84%; the $800 minimum acts as a floor. The amount above the minimum depends entirely on income. Because the amount depends on factors like revenue or assets, it is shown separately and never folded into the fixed totals above. Consult a qualified tax professional about how it may apply to you.

What this page doesn't cover

  • Federal, state, and local taxes beyond the fixed fees shown — income-dependent taxes are listed as variable obligations and never included in exact totals.
  • Business licenses, local permits, industry-specific registrations, and DBA filings.
  • Attorney, accountant, or filing-service fees beyond the labeled registered-agent estimate.
  • Whether a corporation — or California — is the right choice for your situation. FormedIn provides general educational information, not legal, tax, accounting, or financial advice, and nothing here recommends an entity type or formation state for any specific person.

Fees, rules, deadlines, and processing times change. Confirm current requirements with the California Secretary of State and consult a qualified attorney, CPA, or tax professional about your specific circumstances.

Sources

California data last verified July 12, 2026.

Keep going