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Business Formation in California

Pick the wrong entity and you carry the cost for years, wrong tax treatment, exposed personal assets, or a structure investors won't touch. We help you choose and form the right one the first time.

Get a Free Consultation(949) 426-5071

Which entity fits your business?

California recognizes several business structures, each with different tax treatment, liability exposure, and formalities. The right one depends on how many owners you have, how you plan to raise money, and how much personal liability you're willing to carry. Below is a starting point, your free consultation covers the specifics of your situation.

LLC
The default choice for most California small businesses. Pass-through taxation, personal-asset protection, flexible management.Corporation
C-corp or S-corp. The standard structure for businesses raising outside investment or planning to issue shares.Partnership
General or limited partnership. Fewer filing requirements, but less liability protection unless structured as an LP.Nonprofit
501(c)(3) public benefit, mutual benefit, or religious corporation, with federal tax-exempt status through the IRS.

Frequently asked questions about business formation.

The questions we field most often, answered the same way we'd answer them on a first call, without filler and without disclaimers that are not required.

Q.Which entity should I form for my business?
A.It depends on ownership, liability exposure, and whether you plan to raise outside investment. Most single-owner and small partner-owned businesses form an LLC. Businesses planning to raise venture capital or issue equity typically incorporate. We walk through the tradeoffs in your free consultation before you commit to a structure.
Q.How long does business formation take in California?
A.Most LLC and corporation formations are operational within 7-10 business days once we have your information, filed with the Secretary of State, EIN issued, and initial governance documents in place.
Q.How much does it cost to form an LLC or corporation?
A.Formation work is flat fee. After a free consultation you receive a written engagement letter with the price before any work begins.
Q.Can I convert my business to a different entity type later?
A.Yes, conversions between entity types are possible under California law, though they carry tax and administrative consequences. It's usually cheaper to pick the right structure at formation than to convert later.

Ready to form your business?

Tell us about your business in a free consultation, we'll recommend a structure and give you a written price before any work begins.

By Phone(949) 426-5071
By Emailinfo@sarilaw.us
In Person2603 Main Street, Suite 415, Irvine
Get a Free Consultation