A California LLC (Limited Liability Company) protects your personal assets from business debts, offers flexible tax treatment, and gives you professional credibility. It is the most popular legal structure for small businesses in California — and the easiest to form if you have the right documents. Prepare your LLC, bilingual, without an attorney, from $799.
Anyone who: operates a business in California (including freelancers or consultants), generates over $50,000 a year in business income, has clients or employees who could sue them, owns personal assets they want to protect (home, savings), wants to deduct more business expenses on taxes, or wants to project more professionalism to clients and banks. An LLC separates YOUR personal assets from the company's — if the business is sued or has debts, generally only the business assets are at risk, not your home or personal savings.
California charges a minimum $800 Annual Franchise Tax on every LLC, regardless of revenue. LLCs with gross income over $250,000 pay an additional fee. Every LLC must file a Statement of Information every 2 years with the Secretary of State and maintain an Operating Agreement (California does not require filing it, but does require having it). California also requires a Registered Agent with a physical California address — not a P.O. Box.
Government cost: $70 for Articles of Organization + $20 Statement of Information + $800 Annual Franchise Tax = $890 minimum first year. Our service starts at $799 (Standard) up to $1,699 (Elite with attorney review) to prepare ALL documents. An attorney would charge $1,500-$3,000.
Yes. California's Annual Franchise Tax is MANDATORY to keep the LLC active, even with no income. LLCs formed after January 1, 2021 have the first $800 EXEMPT in year one.
LLC is simpler and more flexible to start. S-Corp can save on taxes when you already generate over $80,000-$100,000 a year in net profit. Start with LLC and consider converting to S-Corp later.
We recommend yes. Without an EIN, you would use your personal SSN for bank accounts and vendors — dangerous for identity. EIN is free from the IRS and our package includes the application.
Yes, but if you will operate in California, you must register as a Foreign LLC. If you live in California, form it as a California LLC. If you live outside and operate outside but want California protection, consider an LLC in Nevada or Wyoming first.
Standard Filing takes 5-10 business days ($90 state fee). 24-Hour Expedite costs $540 and approval is next business day. Same-Day Expedite costs $1,140 and is approved the same day (if submitted before 4pm). Flash Previews Consulting Group files all three modes on your behalf.
California charges a $250 penalty and may declare the LLC "FTB Suspended" — meaning the LLC loses legal protections and cannot sue or defend itself in court until reinstated. The initial SOI must be filed within 90 days of LLC formation, then every 2 years thereafter.
Single-Member LLC: you are the sole owner. The IRS treats it as a "disregarded entity" — income flows directly to your personal tax return (Form 1040, Schedule C). Multi-Member LLC: 2 or more owners. The IRS treats it as a partnership by default — requires annual Form 1065 and K-1s for each member. Our Operating Agreement covers both cases.
Multi Servicios 360 | www.multiservicios360.net | 855.246.7274
Multi Servicios 360 is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. This is a self-help document preparation platform. State fees and attorney fees are separate.
Additional legal documents that clients in your situation frequently request with Multi Servicios 360, a self-help legal document preparation platform.
Multi Servicios 360 es una plataforma tecnológica de autoayuda que permite a las personas preparar sus propios documentos legales. No somos un bufete de abogados, no actuamos como abogados, no redactamos documentos por usted, y no brindamos asesoría legal ni recomendaciones sobre qué documentos legales son apropiados para su situación específica. Si necesita asesoría legal, debe consultar a un abogado licenciado en California.