How to Form an LLC in California:

Your first consideration when choosing a name for your LLC is that it be unique from any other business in the state of California. The state also requires that the company name in no way be misleading to the public. You can quickly and easily check your company’s potential name options at the California Secretary of State website business name database.

In order to comply with California state law, your company’s name must contain some form of the term “Limited Liability Company.” This can appear in several different formats from the whole phrase written to several appropriate abbreviations. “Limited Company,” “L.L.C.,” “LLC,” “L.C.,” and “LC” are all considered appropriate ways to adorn your moniker. You can also choose to use abbreviations for the words “Limited” and “Company” as “Ltd.” or “Co.” respectively.

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The state of California requires that any LLC have a registered agent for service of process. This means your LLC must have an entity that agrees to physically accept any legal papers on the company’s behalf should it be sued. This entity does not have to be an individual person but cannot be the LLC itself, though affiliation is allowed. The registered agent can be any resident of the state of California or a business entity authorized to do business in California so long as the agent has a physical street address (not a P.O. box) within the state.

To officially create your LLC in the state of California, you’ll need to file Articles of Organization (Form LLC-1) with the office of the Secretary of State. With a $70 fee, this can be filed online or by mail. If hand-delivered filings are provided to the Sacramento Secretary of State’s office, you can request expedited filing for an additional fee. To complete this Form LLC-1 you will need to know the following:

1. The final name of your LLC and its purpose
2. The name and address associated with the company’s registered agent
3. Information on how the LLC will be managed
4. The company’s official address

Form LLC-12, or a Statement of Information, is required of any LLC registered in the state of California and must be filed within 90 days of the Articles of Organization form. You’ll need to file additional statements of information every two years following the formation of your LLC. You can submit Form LLC-12 online, mail it in, or hand-deliver it to the Secretary of State with a filing fee of $20

California LLCs are required to have an operating agreement in order to set the guidelines for running the company and outlining its ownership. This agreement can be oral or written. If it is written, then the agreement and all amendments to it must be kept within the company’s records.

An IRS Employer Identification Number (EIN) is required for your LLC unless it is a single-member LLC with no employees. Obtaining an EIN is as easy as completing the application on the IRS website.

It’s possible your company will need to register with the appropriate California taxing authority. Whether or not your company needs to follow this step will depend on the exact types of taxes it will be collecting and/or has been collecting from the state. If your LLC will be collecting sales tax, you’ll have to register with the California State Board of Equalization (BOE). This can be done online or in person at a BOE field office. For employer taxes, register with the California Employment Development Department (EDD).

Any LLC in California must pay an annual minimum franchise tax of $800 to the California Franchise Tax Board. However, LLCs with total annual income over a certain threshold are required to pay additional fees based on income. If your LLC elects to be taxed as a corporation, you’ll have to comply with California corporate tax law. All LLCs in California must file Form 568 (Limited Liability Company Return of Income) by April 15 after the close of the LLC’s taxable year. For details and tax forms, see the California Franchise Tax Board website.

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