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At a glance
| Document | Certificate of Dissolution (LLC-3) / Certificate of Cancellation (LLC-4/7) / Short Form Cancellation (LLC-4/8) |
|---|---|
| State fee | No fee |
| Taxes / clearance | No SOS tax-clearance step, but the $800 annual tax keeps accruing until the LLC is cancelled; the FTB offers a separate abatement route. |
| Where | California Secretary of State · Franchise Tax Board |
Step by step
- Approve the dissolution. Members vote as required by the operating agreement and record it in writing.
- Wind up and pay creditors. Collect what’s owed, pay debts, and distribute remaining assets to members.
- Clear California filings and taxes. No SOS tax-clearance step, but the $800 annual tax keeps accruing until the LLC is cancelled; the FTB offers a separate abatement route. Make sure the california statement of information (form llc-12) is current.
- File the Certificate of Dissolution (LLC-3) / Certificate of Cancellation (LLC-4/7) / Short Form Cancellation (LLC-4/8). File online on bizfile Online or by mail. LLCs formed within 12 months may use the short form. State fee: No fee.
- File final federal returns and close accounts. Mark the final federal return as final, close the bank account, cancel licenses and your registered agent.
All California LLC fees in one place
Every state fee a California LLC can run into, from formation to closing. The typical recurring state cost is $810 a year ($800 annual LLC tax + $20 Statement of Information every two years).
| Filing or service | State fee | When |
|---|---|---|
| Articles of Organization (Form LLC-1) | $70 | Once, to form the LLC |
| Name reservation (optional) | $10 for 60 days | Before forming, if you want to hold a name |
| California Statement of Information (Form LLC-12) | $20 | Within 90 days of formation, then every two years |
| California initial Statement of Information | $20 | Once, after formation |
| California $800 annual LLC tax | $800 | Every year |
| Registered agent | $0 if you qualify to serve yourself; $99–$199/yr for a service | Ongoing |
| Change of registered agent | $20 (filed on a new Statement of Information) | When you switch agents |
| Certificate of Status | $5 | When a bank, lender or another state asks |
| Fictitious business name | Set by each county | Only if you trade under another name |
| Certificate of Dissolution (LLC-3) / Certificate of Cancellation (LLC-4/7) / Short Form Cancellation (LLC-4/8) | No fee | Once, to close the LLC |
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to dissolve an LLC in California?
The state fee for the Certificate of Dissolution (LLC-3) / Certificate of Cancellation (LLC-4/7) / Short Form Cancellation (LLC-4/8) is No fee. Budget for any final taxes, overdue reports and professional help for the final tax return.
What form dissolves an LLC in California?
Certificate of Dissolution (LLC-3) / Certificate of Cancellation (LLC-4/7) / Short Form Cancellation (LLC-4/8). File online on bizfile Online or by mail. LLCs formed within 12 months may use the short form.
Do I need tax clearance to dissolve a California LLC?
No SOS tax-clearance step, but the $800 annual tax keeps accruing until the LLC is cancelled; the FTB offers a separate abatement route.
What if I don’t formally dissolve my California LLC?
Required filings keep coming due — California Statement of Information (Form LLC-12) ($20); California initial Statement of Information ($20); California $800 annual LLC tax ($800) — and missing them leads to: If you don't file, the Secretary of State notifies the Franchise Tax Board, which assesses a penalty; the LLC can also be suspended or forfeited.
Your LLC setup checklist
- Get a free EINFrom the IRS, in minutes online.
- Open a business bank accountKeep LLC money apart from yours to protect the liability shield.
- Sign an operating agreementSettle who owns and decides what before it matters.
- Get business insuranceCover what the LLC itself doesn’t protect.
- Plan your taxesKnow your tax status and federal due dates.
- Track state deadlinesFree reminders before each filing.
Everything in one list: printable LLC compliance checklist · live deadline calendar.