Trusted LLC formation San Jose entrepreneurs choose — plus S-Corp, C-Corp, Nonprofit & Partnership filing. EIN included free. No hourly billing.
Looking for affordable LLC formation San Jose? As a registered Legal Document Assistant, we prepare and file every document your California business needs — from Articles of Organization to your federal EIN — at a fraction of attorney fees. Walk-ins welcome. Filed correctly the first time.
One flat fee covers document preparation, LLC formation, San Jose Secretary of State filing, federal EIN, and governing documents. No surprises.
Why Form a Business Entity
When you form your San Jose business with a proper entity, you unlock liability protection, tax benefits, and credibility from day one. LLC formation San Jose owners trust — starting at $600 flat.
If your business is sued or incurs debt, your house, car, and savings stay off-limits. Forming an LLC or corporation creates a legal wall between you and your business.
Banks require an EIN and formation documents to open a business account. A proper entity lets you build business credit, accept investors, and qualify for SBA loans.
S-Corp elections, pass-through deductions, and expense write-offs are only available to properly formed entities. Many clients save thousands in self-employment tax.
Five Entity Types · One LDA
Every business entity has trade-offs — liability, taxation, paperwork, ownership flexibility. Whether you need LLC formation San Jose style, an S-Corp, C-Corp, or nonprofit, we prepare the formation documents for all five major California entity types. When you form your San Jose business with TrustPoint, you pick the structure that fits your goals — or let us walk you through the options at your free consultation.
Limited Liability Company
Most popular choice for small businesses. LLC formation San Jose entrepreneurs love combines liability protection with pass-through taxation and flexible management — no board of directors required.
Pass-Through Tax Election
Ideal for owner-operators earning over $50k net. Avoids self-employment tax on distributions while maintaining liability protection. Limited to 100 U.S. shareholders.
Traditional Corporate Structure
Required for businesses raising venture capital, going public, or planning complex ownership (multiple stock classes, foreign investors). Separate taxable entity.
Public Benefit Corporation
For charitable, educational, religious, or scientific missions. Receive tax-deductible donations, apply for grants, and enjoy federal & California tax exemption.
General & Limited Partnership
For two or more owners sharing profits and responsibilities. Limited Partnerships (LPs) offer liability protection for passive investors while keeping general partners in control.
Doing Business As
Operating under a name other than your legal business name? California requires a Fictitious Business Name (FBN) statement filed with the county and published in a local newspaper.
Compare Structures Side-by-Side
California also requires a Statement of Information within 90 days of filing (Form SI-550 for corps, Form LLC-12 for LLCs, Form SI-100 for nonprofits). TrustPoint includes this in every formation package.
Your Formation Timeline
We review your business goals, compare LLC vs. S-Corp vs. C-Corp vs. Nonprofit, and recommend the right structure. No obligation.
We verify name availability with the CA Secretary of State and optionally reserve it for 60 days ($10 state fee) while documents are prepared.
Articles of Organization (LLC) or Articles of Incorporation (Corp/Nonprofit) drafted and submitted to the Secretary of State the same day you approve them.
CA Secretary of State returns your filed Articles in ~8 business days. Need faster? 24-hour ($350) or same-day ($750) expedited options available.
We obtain your federal EIN from the IRS and deliver your Operating Agreement (LLC) or Bylaws (Corp/Nonprofit) — ready to open bank accounts.
Required within 90 days of formation. We file your SI-550, LLC-12, or SI-100 and deliver your complete formation binder.
Transparent Flat-Fee Pricing
$600 covers everything you need to form your San Jose business — whether you choose LLC, S-Corp, C-Corp, Nonprofit, or Partnership. LLC formation San Jose clients get EIN included free. No monthly subscriptions. No surprise add-ons.
Complete entity formation for any California business structure. Same flat fee whether you choose LLC, S-Corp, C-Corp, Nonprofit, or Partnership.
Federal Beneficial Ownership Information report filed with FinCEN. Required for most LLCs and corporations under the Corporate Transparency Act.
Business tax returns prepared by our same-office partner Fingerscan Digital — IRS-registered tax preparers specializing in small business.
California state fees: LLC $70 · Corporation $100 · Nonprofit $30. The $800 annual minimum franchise tax is paid separately to the CA Franchise Tax Board (waived first year for new corps). All pricing posted upfront — no hourly billing, no subscription traps.
Under the Corporate Transparency Act, most LLCs, corporations, and similar entities formed or registered in the U.S. must report their beneficial owners to FinCEN (Financial Crimes Enforcement Network). This includes anyone owning 25% or more, or exercising substantial control over the company.
Failure to file can result in civil penalties up to $500 per day and criminal penalties. TrustPoint prepares and submits your complete BOI report electronically to FinCEN for a flat $100 — we identify reportable owners, collect required ID documentation, and deliver your FinCEN confirmation.
From side hustles to storefronts — when you're ready to form your San Jose business, we help every kind of entrepreneur launch legally.
Who We Help · San Jose & Bay Area
We serve businesses across Santa Clara County — from downtown San Jose startups to Blossom Hill retail, South Bay restaurants to Silicon Valley tech founders. Walk-ins welcome at our 434 Blossom Hill Rd office.
C-Corp Delaware or California, stock issuance, SAFE-ready capital structure for VC fundraising.
Single-member LLC for liability protection and S-Corp election to reduce self-employment tax.
LLC or S-Corp with employee onboarding, DBA filings, and multi-location expansion documents.
Multi-entity structures, series LLCs for property separation, holding companies for asset protection.
Professional Corporations (PC) for doctors, lawyers, accountants; S-Corp election for tax savings.
501(c)(3) public benefit corporations, religious organizations, and educational foundations.
General partnerships, LPs, and multi-member LLCs with custom profit-sharing agreements.
Single-member LLCs for Shopify, Amazon, Etsy sellers with sales tax compliance guidance.
LLC Formation San Jose · LDA vs. Attorney
LegalZoom hides fees. Attorneys charge $1,900–$3,000. We charge flat rates — in person — in your language.
Client Reviews
Real reviews from verified clients on our Google Business Profile — including small businesses we helped with LLC formation San Jose and surrounding Santa Clara County.
We've used TrustPoint Disability & Legal Services for legal document help, and they've been amazing! As a small business owner, having their support with power of attorney forms, contracts, and compliance filings has saved us time and stress. They're fast, professional, and easy to work with. Highly recommend them for any business needing reliable LDA services.
The owner Of Trust Point Disability and Legal Services, "Quinnie" helped me directly, and was very precise & efficient filing my paralegal issues with the court in Silicon Valley. Thank you.
Quyên Do provided excellent legal documentation work. Precise, clear, and helped me win my case. Many thanks for the great work!
Had a great experience? Help others find trusted LDA services.
Leave us a Google ReviewFrequently Asked Questions
To form your San Jose business with TrustPoint, the flat fee is $600 — LLC, S-Corp, C-Corp, Nonprofit, or Partnership — plus the California Secretary of State filing fee ($70 for LLCs, $100 for corporations, $30 for nonprofits). LLC formation San Jose entrepreneurs includes preparation and filing of Articles, custom Operating Agreement or Bylaws, federal EIN, and Statement of Information. A San Jose business attorney typically charges $1,500–$2,500 for the same work.
The Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) report is a federal filing required under the Corporate Transparency Act. Most LLCs and corporations must report their beneficial owners (anyone owning 25% or more, or exercising substantial control) to FinCEN (Financial Crimes Enforcement Network). Penalties for failure to file can reach $500 per day. TrustPoint prepares and files your BOI report for $100 — flat fee, no subscription.
An LLC (Limited Liability Company) offers liability protection with pass-through taxation and flexible management. A C-Corporation is a separate taxable entity ideal for raising venture capital and going public; profits are taxed at the corporate level and again when distributed as dividends. An S-Corporation is a tax election (not a separate entity) that allows pass-through taxation while avoiding self-employment tax on distributions; limited to 100 U.S. shareholders with one class of stock. TrustPoint helps you choose the right structure at your free consultation.
Standard processing with the California Secretary of State takes 8 business days for LLCs and corporations. Expedited options: 24-hour processing for $350, same-day processing for $750. TrustPoint prepares your Articles in the same day you consult — the only delay is the state's processing queue. Your Statement of Information must be filed within 90 days of the Articles being accepted.
Yes. Every LLC, corporation, and partnership needs an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS to open a business bank account, hire employees, and file taxes. It's free directly from the IRS and takes about 15 minutes online. TrustPoint obtains your EIN as part of every formation package — included at no extra cost.
California law requires every LLC and corporation to designate a Registered Agent (also called Agent for Service of Process) with a physical California street address to receive legal documents and official state correspondence. You can be your own registered agent, or appoint a business partner, family member, or professional service. TrustPoint can serve as your registered agent or help you designate the right party.
To elect S-Corp status, you must file IRS Form 2553 within 2 months and 15 days after incorporation (or before March 15 of the tax year you want the election to begin). The entity must be a domestic corporation or LLC, have only U.S. citizen or resident shareholders, have no more than 100 shareholders, and issue only one class of stock. TrustPoint prepares and files Form 2553 as part of our S-Corp formation package.
The Statement of Information is a required disclosure filing with the California Secretary of State listing the business's officers, directors, registered agent, and principal address. Corporations file Form SI-550 within 90 days of incorporation and every year thereafter ($25 fee). LLCs file Form LLC-12 within 90 days and every two years ($20 fee). Nonprofits file Form SI-100 within 90 days and every two years ($20 fee). Failure to file results in suspended status with the state.
Yes. A registered Legal Document Assistant can prepare your California nonprofit Articles of Incorporation (Form ARTS-PB-501(c)(3)), bylaws, Statement of Information (Form SI-100), Initial Registration (Form CT-1) with the California Attorney General, and IRS Form 1023 or 1023-EZ for federal tax-exempt status. TrustPoint (LDA #268) handles the complete nonprofit formation process at your direction — at a fraction of attorney fees.
California charges an $800 annual minimum franchise tax on every LLC, corporation, and LLP — regardless of income. This is paid to the California Franchise Tax Board (FTB), not the Secretary of State. New corporations are exempt from the minimum tax for their first taxable year. S-Corps also pay 1.5% of net income on top of the minimum. LLCs with income over $250,000 pay additional LLC fees ranging from $900 to $11,790.
Business Tax Preparation · Same Office
Every California business faces the $800 minimum franchise tax, federal income taxes (Form 1120, 1120-S, or 1065), and quarterly estimated payments. Getting these right the first year protects your entity status and avoids costly amendments.
Our same-office partner Fingerscan Digital Inc. provides full-service business tax preparation — IRS-registered preparers specializing in small business returns for San Jose LLCs, S-Corps, C-Corps, partnerships, and nonprofits.
Beyond taxes, Fingerscan Digital also handles mobile notarization for contracts and operating agreements, Live Scan fingerprinting for professional licenses, and apostille authentication for international business.
Same office · 434 Blossom Hill Rd, San Jose · (408) 766-3528
Other TrustPoint Services
Revocable trusts, pour-over wills, powers of attorney. Protect your business succession plan.
Learn More →Personal debt relief — from creditor harassment to fresh start, prepared by LDA #268.
Learn More →Small claims, unlawful detainer, collections — court-ready civil filings without the attorney fee.
Learn More →Ready to Launch?
Book a free consultation and we'll compare structures, outline fees, and map your LLC formation San Jose timeline. No hourly billing. No pressure. No surprises.