California field guides / 12 decision paths
California guides
Choose the decision in front of you: an entity, a filing, a tax date or your next compliance step.
Verified against the California Secretary of State and FTB on Oct 21, 2026
Start with your first-year costs12 paths
Formation decisions
050608
Start this decision pathLicensed profession? Check the professional corporation path
Profession lookup: is a PC required?
Choose an eligible California agent for service of process
Agent eligibility checklist
California business names: search, check, then reserve
Name rules review
Costs
Start this decision pathTax & timing
0104
Start this decision pathCalifornia’s $800 tax: follow your entity’s path
First $800 due date
LLC or S election: compare the California tax layers
Illustrative California tax comparison
Filing paths
07091011
Start this decision pathbizfile Online: a California filing decision path
Annotated filing progress
California fictitious names: take the county path
County confirmation lookup
Out-of-state LLC: separate qualification from tax
Foreign qualification decision tree
Change or close your LLC: choose the right filing path
Amendment or cancellation decision tree
Compliance
0212
Start this decision pathFind your California Statement of Information dates
Next SOI due generator
Your California year-one compliance decision path
Saved year-one checklist
Corp USA is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. State fees are pass-through; service fees and taxes are separate.
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