If you are ready to incorporate your corporation in California (CA), click on the “Get Started Now” button to your right.

Incorporation of your California business online is simple with Filings Made Easy. Follow our 5 step process and once complete, we will form your business in as little a 24 hours. If you are still unsure if a corporation is the right choice for you, then learn more about this type of business and the online incorporation process below.

Incorporation in California:

The Filings Made Easy online incorporation system leads you through the process and requests all of the information that is required to incorporate your business in California.  This process is fast, easy and reliable. If you would like to start the online incorporate process now click on the following link: www.FilingsMadeEasy.com/incorporate-online.

A California corporation’s existence commences when its Articles of Incorporation are properly filed with the Secretary of State.

The $100 filing fee must also be paid at the time the Articles of Incorporation are filed with the Secretary of State.  Additional fees also may apply, such as a $15 special handling fee for processing of documents dropped off in person at the Secretary of State’s office (this is a state fee), or for expediting the processing of the incorporation documents (also a state fee).  Expediting is only permitted for in-person filings.

The Articles of Incorporation must contain:

• - a corporate name
• - the name and address of a registered agent
• - a statement of the purpose of the corporation
• - the number of authorized shares of each class of stock (with par value, if any, and a statement of preferences, qualifications, limitations, restrictions and special and relative rights, including convertible rights, in respect of each class of stock)

Unless otherwise specified in the online incorporation application, Filings Made Easy will include in your California Articles of Incorporation:

• - the name of your corporation that you have chosen (see below for special rules regarding your corporation’s name)
• - the name of the incorporator(s), which will be Filings Made Easy or an employee or agent of Filings Made Easy
• - the corporation is authorized to issue only one class of stock, which will be 1,000 shares of common stock, $0.01 par value per share
• - that there are no special rights, preferences or privileges of such stock
• - the corporation may engage in any lawful purpose in the State of California
• - the name and address of the corporation’s registered agent

Corporate Name:

In California, a corporation’s name must be distinguishable from the name of any other company whose name is on record with the California Secretary of State.  The name cannot falsely imply affiliation with any government or governmental agency.

Filings Made Easy, as part of the online incorporation process, will conduct a preliminary name check to determine if the company name you chose is likely to be available for your corporation.

If you fail to include one of the endings with your corporation’s name choice, Filings Made Easy will add “Inc.” as the ending to your company’s name when preparing and filing your incorporation documents.

Registered Agent Information:

• - California corporations must have a registered agent at all times
• - The registered agent may be another corporation or a person with an address in California (such as Filings Made Easy)

Annual Report and Annual Franchise Tax:

Each year, an Annual Report must be filed with the Secretary of State by each California corporation.  An initial statement of officers must be filed within 90 days after the filing of the Articles of Incorporation, and each year thereafter.  This Annual Report must include information on directors and officers, and the general business activity of the corporation.  An annual franchise tax must be paid each year (waived the first year).  The annual fee is currently a minimum of $800 per year.  An annual tax return and associated tax must be paid every year until the corporation is dissolved.

Filings Made Easy is available to assist your corporation each year with the preparation and completion of this filing and the payment of the applicable tax.

Directors:

A California corporation must have at least three member of its Board of Directors, unless there are fewer than three stockholders, in which case the number of directors must equal or exceed the number of stockholders.

California S Corporations:

S Corporation elections are recognized by the State of California.  No additional paperwork is required to be filed in California to elect S Corporation status, provided that the correct forms are properly completed and timely filed with the Internal Revenue Service.  California does assess a 1 ½% S-Corporation fee, which is based upon the S-Corporation’s net income.

Learn more about: Incorporation

Learn more about: S corporations

To get started with the incorporation process, click here: online incorporation