Vendor setup
Register a business in California
The filing office, forms, steps and next stops for registering a business in California. Every line shows the official page it came from, and the day we read it.
The order to do it in
Choose a business type and get your EIN first. Then file with the state filing office below, and check your city and county before you start work.
Filing office
- California entities are formed with the Secretary of State, Business Programs Division, filed through bizfile Online. California Secretary of State, as of
Forming an LLC
- A California LLC is formed by Articles of Organization, filed online only. California Secretary of State, as of
- Every LLC doing business or organized in California pays an annual tax to the Franchise Tax Board. The first-year exemption covered only tax years 2021 through 2023. California Franchise Tax Board, as of
- Articles of Organization filing fee: $70 (as of Oct 6, 2026) California Secretary of State, as of
- LLC annual tax, Franchise Tax Board: $800 (as of Oct 6, 2026) California Franchise Tax Board, as of
Forming a corporation
- A California stock corporation is formed by Articles of Incorporation (general stock). California Secretary of State, as of
- Articles of Incorporation, general stock corporation: $100 (as of Oct 6, 2026) California Secretary of State, as of
Annual or biennial report
- California LLCs file a Statement of Information within 90 days of registration and every two years after. California Secretary of State, as of
- A stock corporation’s Statement of Information is annual. California Secretary of State, as of
- LLC Statement of Information: $20 (as of Oct 6, 2026) California Secretary of State, as of
- Stock corporation Statement of Information: $25 (as of Oct 6, 2026) California Secretary of State, as of
Assumed name (DBA)
- A fictitious business name statement is filed with the county clerk where the principal place of business is located, within 40 days of starting to use the name (Business and Professions Code sections 17910 and 17915). Within 45 days of filing, the statement must be published in a newspaper of general circulation in that county (section 17917). It expires after five years (section 17920). California Legislative Counsel, as of
State tax registration
- California businesses selling taxable goods register with the CDTFA for a seller’s permit, free, online. CDTFA may ask for a security deposit. California Department of Tax and Fee Administration, as of
State rules for pool, lifeguard and contractor work
These lines point to the state’s own rules. Whether one applies to your work is for the state to say, so confirm with the agency named in each line.
- California licenses swimming pool construction through the CSLB C-53 classification. California Contractors State License Board, as of
City and county licences
City and county licences vary by place. Check with your city hall or county clerk before you start work.
- California has no general statewide business licence. Businesses obtain licences and permits from their city or county. California GO-Biz, as of
Sources
- Limited Liability Companies (LLC) - California California Secretary of State. As of .
- Limited liability company California Franchise Tax Board. As of .
- Corporations and Cooperatives - California California Secretary of State. As of .
- Business and Professions Code, Div. 7, Pt. 3, Ch. 5 (s.17900 et seq.) California Legislative Counsel. As of .
- Applying for a Seller's Permit (Pub. 107) California Department of Tax and Fee Administration. As of .
- C-53 - Swimming Pool Contractor California Contractors State License Board. As of .
- Permit & Regulatory Assistance California GO-Biz. As of .
Official pages change. Each line shows the day we last read it.
Last checked