CA · C-Corp formation
Form C Corp in California
Incorporate a California C-Corporation in the world's fifth-largest economy. Plan for the $800 minimum franchise tax, Statement of Information filings, and corporate income tax. ClearFormation includes a California agent for service of process.
Business Formation + Registered Agent
+ $100 CA state filing fee
- California C-Corp formation ($149 one-time)
- CA Registered Agent — 1 year included ($149/yr after)
California C-Corp at a glance
Quick reference for incorporating a for-profit C-Corporation in California with the California Secretary of State.
| State filing fee | $100 |
|---|---|
| Processing time | 5-10 business days |
| Filing agency | California Secretary of State |
| Registered agent | Required — physical CA street address |
| Annual report | Statement of Information — $25, due Annually by anniversary |
| Franchise / corporate tax | $800 minimum annual franchise tax |
| Registered agent (ClearFormation) | Included with formation |
Statement of Information ($25) due within 90 days.
How to form a C-Corp in California
There are six steps. File Articles of Incorporation with the California Secretary of State, pay the $100 state fee, and appoint a California registered agent. Most filings finish in 5-10 business days.
- 1
Step 1: Name your California corporation
- Your name must include "Corporation", "Incorporated", "Company", or an abbreviation.
- It must be unique on California Secretary of State records.
- Search before you file.
- Words like "bank" may need approval.
- ClearFormation runs a name check before we file.
- 2
Step 2: Appoint a California registered agent
- California requires an in-state contact with a physical CA street address.
- They accept lawsuits and state mail during business hours.
- Most founders use a commercial agent for privacy.
- ClearFormation includes agent service in all 50 states.
- 3
Step 3: File with the California Secretary of State
- Submit Articles of Incorporation with the $100 state fee.
- Processing is usually 5-10 business days.
- You list your name, agent, authorized shares, and incorporator.
- ClearFormation prepares and files online for you.
- 4
Step 4: Issue stock and adopt bylaws
- Hold an organizational meeting: adopt bylaws, appoint directors, elect officers, and issue founder stock.
- If stock vests, file an IRS 83(b) election within 30 days.
- Included with ClearFormation.
- 5
Step 5: Get your EIN from the IRS
- You need an EIN to open a US bank account, hire staff, and file Form 1120.
- The IRS issues EINs for free.
- ClearFormation can file Form SS-4 for you — including for non-US founders without an SSN.
- 6
Step 6: Stay compliant in California
- California requires the Statement of Information ($25), due Annually by anniversary.
- $800 Minimum annual franchise tax.
- ClearFormation tracks deadlines and pre-fills your report.
Form your CA C-Corp now
We prepare the filing, include a CA registered agent, and walk you through bylaws and stock.
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How much does a California C-Corp cost?
- One-time state filing fee to the California Secretary of State
- Ongoing state reports and any franchise or income tax
- Federal EIN and annual Form 1120 corporate tax return
One-time California formation cost
The California C-Corp filing fee is $100. Statement of Information ($25) due within 90 days. Bylaws and stock certificates are included with ClearFormation.
Ongoing California C-Corp cost
The Statement of Information is $25, due Annually by anniversary. $800 minimum annual franchise tax. Every C-Corp also files federal Form 1120 and pays 21% federal corporate tax on profits.
What's included with ClearFormation
- Registered agent service bundled into every plan
- Bylaws, stock certificates, and organizational consent
- Optional EIN filing for non-US founders without an SSN
Fees reviewed against California Secretary of State (last reviewed June 2026).
Ready to file in California?
State fee is $100. Our formation plan includes your first year of CA registered agent service.
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Post-incorporation checklist for a California C-Corp
Stamped Articles from the California Secretary of State create your company legally. Complete these steps in the first 30 days:
1. Adopt bylaws and hold the organizational meeting
- Appoint the initial board and adopt bylaws.
- Elect officers and authorize a bank account.
- Approve the founder stock plan at the organizational meeting.
2. Issue founder stock and file 83(b) elections
- Issue founder shares at par value on day one.
- If stock vests, each founder must file an IRS 83(b) election within 30 days.
- Missing the 83(b) window cannot be fixed later.
3. Get your EIN and open a corporate bank account
- Get a corporate EIN — never use a founder SSN for the business.
- Bring stamped Articles, EIN letter, bylaws, and a board resolution to the bank.
- Keep personal and corporate funds in separate accounts.
4. Lock in tax and compliance calendars
- Federal Form 1120 is due April 15 for calendar-year corps.
- State: Statement of Information is $25, due Annually by anniversary. $800 minimum annual franchise tax.
- Foreign-owned corps may need Form 5472 with the corporate return.
5. BOI report — only if foreign-formed
- Domestic US corps do not file a BOI report as of March 2025.
- Foreign-formed entities registered in the US must file within 30 days of US registration.
- Annual cadence: board meeting, shareholder meeting, Form 1120, Statement of Information renewal, updated cap table.
Start your CA C-Corp today
Name check, state filing, registered agent, bylaws, and stock certificates in one checkout.
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What is a California C-Corp?
A California C-Corp is a for-profit corporation filed with the California Secretary of State, taxed at the entity level (Form 1120), and built for stock issuance, employee equity, and venture fundraising. For a full LLC vs C-Corp comparison, see our LLC vs C-Corp guide.
Largest US economy, deep talent pool, and access to venture capital. Incorporate in CA when you operate primarily here and want a domestic corporation without a Delaware flip. Non-US founders can own 100%.
Why incorporate in California?
- VC-ready structure — preferred stock, board governance, ISO options.
- One domestic filing — $100 with the California Secretary of State; simpler than DE + foreign qualification for local operators.
- Limited liability — shareholders are generally not personally liable for corporate debts.
California C-Corp pros and cons
Drawbacks to weigh before you incorporate:
- Double taxation — corporate profits taxed at 21% federally, then dividends taxed again on personal returns.
- More formalities — annual board and shareholder meetings, minutes, bylaws, and stock ledger maintenance.
- California corporate tax: $800 minimum annual franchise tax.
- US VCs often prefer Delaware C-Corp over a California domestic corporation for priced rounds.
Types of corporations in California
- C-Corporation — default tax treatment; unlimited shareholders and multiple stock classes.
- S-Corporation — same formation filing, but elect pass-through tax via IRS Form 2553 (100-shareholder cap, one stock class).
- Professional corporation (PC) — may be required for licensed professions; check California Secretary of State rules.
- Nonprofit corporation — separate filing path if you seek 501(c)(3) status (not covered here).
Is a California C-Corp right for you?
Compare alternatives before filing:
- LLC in California — simpler pass-through tax for owner-operated businesses.
- S-Corp vs LLC — payroll tax savings with added compliance.
- LLC vs corporation — full comparison of structures.
- Best state to form a business — if you're weighing California vs Delaware.
Corporate governance in California
A California C-Corp is more formal than an LLC. After the California Secretary of State approves your filing:
- Adopt corporate bylaws.
- Appoint a board of directors.
- Elect officers (President, Secretary, Treasurer — titles can vary).
- Issue stock to founders at the organizational meeting.
What does a corporate board of directors do?
- Oversees major decisions: budgets, stock issuances, CEO hire, financings.
- Early-stage founders often sit on the board themselves.
- Document decisions in written consents or meeting minutes.
- Skipping minutes is the fastest way to lose corporate veil protection.
What kind of stock can I issue?
- Authorize common stock for founders in your Articles of Incorporation.
- Reserve preferred stock for future investors when needed.
- List authorized share counts and par value on the formation document.
- ClearFormation includes bylaws and stock certificates for founder issuance.
Officers and day-to-day operations
- Officers run daily operations; the board sets strategy.
- A solo founder can be the sole director and hold all officer roles.
- Update cap table, bylaws, and board composition as you add co-founders or investors.
Foreign entities doing business in California
- Out-of-state corps with staff, offices, or major sales in California may need to register as a foreign corporation with the California Secretary of State.
- That filing needs a CA registered agent with a physical in-state address — included with ClearFormation.
- If you incorporate in California but operate elsewhere, you may need to foreign-qualify in those states instead.
- See our foreign qualification guide or get a CA registered agent.
California Secretary of State contact information
- File Articles of Incorporation with the California Secretary of State.
- Search the state business database to confirm your name is available.
- Keep stamped formation docs with your bylaws, stock certificates, and EIN letter for banking and investors.
How is a California C-Corp taxed?
A California C-Corp pays tax at these levels:
- Files IRS Form 1120 and pays 21% federal corporate income tax on profits.
- Dividends to shareholders are taxed again on personal returns — the classic double tax.
- State level: $800 minimum annual franchise tax
- File the Statement of Information ($25) with the California Secretary of State.
You can elect S-Corp treatment (Form 2553) if you meet IRS rules. See S-Corp vs LLC. Operating outside California? You may need to foreign-qualify elsewhere.
Quarterly estimated taxes and payroll
- Profitable C-Corps often pay quarterly estimated federal tax (Form 1120-W).
- With employees in California, withhold payroll taxes and file state unemployment returns.
- Budget for CPA support — corporate compliance is heavier than a pass-through LLC.
Foreign-owned C-Corps
- 25%+ foreign ownership may require IRS Form 5472 with the corporate return.
- Non-US founders should plan for this from incorporation day.
How to dissolve a California corporation
- Get board and shareholder approval to dissolve.
- File Articles of Dissolution with the California Secretary of State.
- Pay outstanding state taxes and cancel foreign registrations.
- File a final IRS Form 1120. Skipping formal dissolution can trigger ongoing report fees.
Common California C-Corp mistakes
- Missing the 83(b) election window. Founders with vesting stock must file within 30 days of issuance — there is no extension.
- Skipping board meetings and minutes. Corporate formalities preserve the liability shield; skipping them is the #1 veil-piercing risk.
- Commingling personal and corporate funds. Use a dedicated corporate bank account from day one.
- Missing the statement of information. Can cost you good standing or trigger administrative dissolution.
C-Corp vs LLC in California: which should you form?
Both entities give you the same liability shield. The main differences are tax, ownership, and fundraising options.
Form an LLC in California if
- You want pass-through tax with less paperwork.
- You do not plan to raise US venture capital.
- You run a consulting firm, agency, store, or freelance business.
Form a C-Corp in California if
- You plan to raise from VCs or angels via SAFEs.
- You want to grant ISO stock options to employees.
- You need multiple share classes for investors.
Rule of thumb: US VCs usually prefer a Delaware C-Corp. A California C-Corp fits local operating businesses not on the VC track.
California C-Corp questions
Also for California founders: Form an LLC in California · California registered agent
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