California LLC or Wyoming LLC?
If you run your business in California, here's what each route costs in state fees.
The short answer
For a business that operates in California, forming in Wyoming costs about $340 more over five years in state fees alone — before paying for a registered agent in Wyoming.
Form in California
California
Articles of Organization (Form LLC-1)$70
Statement of Information (Form LLC-12)$20 / 2 yrs
LLC annual tax$800 / yr
Year one$890
Each year after$810
5-year total$4,130
Form in Wyoming, register in California
Wyoming
Articles of Organization$100
Annual Report (with license tax; see state_taxes)$0
Annual report license tax$60 / yr
California (foreign registration)
Application to Register a Foreign LLC (Form LLC-5)$70
Statement of Information (Form LLC-12)$20 / 2 yrs
LLC annual tax$800 / yr
Year one$990
Each year after$870
5-year total$4,470
What the fees don't show
- Forming in Wyoming while operating in California means two sets of reports and two sets of deadlines, adding about $60 a year.
- You need a registered agent with a street address in Wyoming. If you don't have one there, that's a paid service every year.
- Out-of-state formation makes the most sense when you raise outside investment, operate in many states, or have a specific legal reason — not as a default.
State fees only, from each state's official fee pages. Not legal or tax advice.