California Business Calculators and Compliance Checkers
Running a business in California brings its own taxes and filings: the LLC franchise tax, seller's permits and district sales tax, payroll taxes, privacy law thresholds and local business licenses. These tools tell you which rules apply to your business and what each one costs.
All 15 Business tools
Founders, sole proprietors and small-business owners. Every tool shows how its result was worked out and links to the official source.
Business guides
All guides →California Cottage Food Law Explained
Class A vs Class B, the CPI-adjusted sales caps, approved foods, labels, training and county fees.
CCPA: Which Businesses Must Comply?
The three thresholds ($26.6 million revenue, 100,000 consumers, 50% data revenue), what counts as selling or sharing, exemptions, 2026 deadlines and fines.
Prop 65 Warnings Explained
What a warning means, the 10-employee threshold, safe harbor levels, the 2028 short-form deadline and $2,500-a-day penalties.
California Junk Fee Law (SB 478): What Businesses Must Do
Advertised prices must include every mandatory fee. What can stay out, the restaurant rule, and the penalties.
California LLC Fee vs. the $800 Franchise Tax
Two separate charges on California LLCs: the flat annual tax and the gross-receipts fee, with brackets and due dates.
California LLC vs. S Corp Taxes: Which Costs Less?
What California charges each entity, side-by-side examples, and the break-even points.
California Seller's Permit: Who Needs One and How to Get It
The free CDTFA permit for selling taxable goods: occasional sales, marketplace sellers, temporary permits and out-of-state sellers.
CalSavers: With Even One Employee, Your Registration Deadline Has Probably Passed
Every employer-size tier is now past its CalSavers registration deadline. See the schedule, who is exempt and the penalties.
California Has No Statewide Business License: What Cities Require
The state does not issue a general business license. Cities do, and each sets its own fees. See how city licenses work and how to find yours.
California LLC First-Year Tax: $800, or $400 Starting 2027
An LLC whose first taxable year begins in 2027, 2028 or 2029 pays $400, not $800. See who qualifies and why the AB 85 waiver no longer applies.
California's New Employment Credit Has Ended: What Still Pays You to Hire
The New Employment Credit applies only to hires made before 2026. Two other programs still pay employers who hire and train now.
Local figures
Some of these rules change at the city or county line. These pages show the local figure next to the statewide one.