LaunchPath

Flagship channel-state reference guide

Start DoorDash in California: full reference guide

Use this page when you want the complete dense version: all sections, all appendices, and the full official source directory in one scrollable reference surface.

Last verified: April 26, 2026 Reference mode Dense appendix

Built from reviewed public pages for California, IRS, FinCEN, Los Angeles, DoorDash. Use it as a first-pass guide, then verify the official links that match your setup.

How to use this page

Dense appendix modeFull source directory attachedLast verified April 26, 2026

This version favors completeness over pacing. Use it when you need the appendix, the dense source trail, or the full long-form reference in one place.

Best reading order

  1. Use the fast-answer and official-links sections first if you only need the main route and source trail.
  2. Open the entity, setup, tax, and local sections only where your exact launch path actually branches.
  3. Use the full source directory last as the appendix, not the starting point, unless you already know the exact agency task.
Fast answer appendix Official links first Full source directory
Back to the guided journey

Reference mode

Everything in one dense page

The guided journey is the easier starting point. This page keeps the full accordion guide and source appendix when you want the complete research-backed reference view.

Best when you need

  • The full section map in one scroll without the lighter journey framing.
  • The appendix and official-source directory preserved next to the answer sections.
  • A clearer audit trail before you print, compare, or cross-check another route.

Still better handled in the journey

  • First-pass reading when you want the shortest, safest beginner route.
  • Deciding what to do first before you need the full appendix.
  • Switching states or platforms quickly without reading the full dense version.
Reference map
Start here Fast answer If you want to open DoorDash in California, you usually need to do five things in order: Everyone 5 steps

If you want to open DoorDash in California, you usually need to do five things in order:

  1. Choose your setup: sole proprietorship vs single-member LLC.
  2. Get your federal and California setup in place before launching, including the entity, EIN if needed, and the real tax branch for app-based delivery work.
  3. Verify local county or city permit, FBN, tax, and home-business rules if they actually apply, especially in Los Angeles.
  4. Open and verify your DoorDash Dasher account.
  5. Launch only after your payout, tax-recordkeeping, and insurance reality are understood.

Practical first-launch recommendation

If you are testing casually with minimal legal complexity, sole proprietor can work.

If you intend to build a real long-term delivery business, separate the work financially, or add later complexity, single-member LLC is usually the better long-term path.

Avoid these first-launch mistakes

  • Assuming California meal-delivery work automatically needs a seller's permit
  • Turning on more complex delivery types before understanding the simple restaurant-delivery lane
  • Mixing personal and business money

California-specific friction

California treats gig-driving and app-based delivery income as taxable even if you never receive every tax form you expected.

  • California treats gig-driving and app-based delivery income as taxable even if you never receive every tax form you expected.
  • FTB says app-based transportation and delivery drivers are treated as independent contractors for California tax purposes if the specified conditions are met.
  • Los Angeles may add a BTRC and a stricter home-office branch.
  • This pack's baseline is service work, not a seller's-permit or resale-certificate lane.

DoorDash-specific friction

California has a higher public minimum-age gate on DoorDash's signup page than many users expect: 21.

  • California has a higher public minimum-age gate on DoorDash's signup page than many users expect: 21.
  • Pay is not one flat hourly or percentage model. DoorDash's public pages show base pay, tips, promotions, Earn per Offer, and Earn by Time.
  • Payout method matters operationally: weekly direct deposit, Fast Pay, and DoorDash Crimson each behave differently.
  • DoorDash's public insurance article bodies were not reliably rendering in the public browser on April 26, 2026, so exact live platform-side coverage wording remains a follow-up item.

Insurance reality

If you dash by car, DoorDash's public signup page says you need a valid driver's license and insurance.

  • If you dash by car, DoorDash's public signup page says you need a valid driver's license and insurance.
  • DoorDash's public help center currently exposes article titles for Understanding Auto Insurance Maintained by DoorDash and Occupational Accident Policy FAQ, but the article bodies were not reliably accessible in the public browser on April 26, 2026.
  • California's Proposition 22 framework still matters. The State Treasurer's public 2026 update says the per-mile compensation rate for app-based transportation and delivery drivers is $0.37.
  • DoorDash's public California Proposition 22 materials also say Dashers keep flexibility and receive benefits and protections such as a healthcare stipend, a minimum earnings guarantee, and enhanced occupational accident insurance.
Back to top Next: Quick-start checklist
Checklist Quick-start checklist Use the research-backed checklist groups before you spend, before your first sale, and before launch goes live. Everyone 3 groups

Do these before you spend money

  • Pick your entity.
  • Pick your business name.
  • Decide your delivery lane.
  • Stay in the lowest-friction first lane: ordinary prepared-food delivery, not alcohol, Shop & Deliver, or other regulated delivery types on day one.
  • Confirm you meet DoorDash's live California age and document rules before assuming the account will open.
  • Confirm the plan is not blocked by local home-business rules, lease terms, HOA rules, or parking restrictions.

Do these before your first paid delivery

  • Form the business or file your DBA if needed.
  • Get an EIN from the IRS if applicable.
  • Open a dedicated business bank account.
  • Close the real California tax branch for DoorDash work.
  • Check local permits, city tax, and home-based business rules if they actually apply.
  • Create your Dasher account, complete verification, and set up payouts.

Do these before launch goes live

  • Confirm the current delivery type you want is enabled in your market.
  • Confirm payout setup, especially if you want Fast Pay or DoorDash Crimson.
  • Build a mileage and expense recordkeeping routine.
  • Confirm insurance reality before relying on the platform-only view.
Back to top Next: Official links you will use first
Choose your setup Entity choice Compare the sole-proprietor and single-member LLC paths before banking, tax setup, and platform onboarding. Everyone 2 options

Sole proprietor

Best for: Best if you want the cheapest and simplest start.

What it means

  • California does not require a Secretary of State formation filing for a sole proprietor operating under the owner's own legal name.
  • If you use a different public name, California uses a county-level fictitious business name filing.
  • Business income generally runs through your personal tax return unless facts change the tax treatment.
  • You usually do not get a liability shield.

Why someone chooses it

  • Faster launch
  • Lower up-front filing costs
  • Fewer maintenance steps

Main downside: Personal liability

single-member LLC

Best for: Best if you want a more durable setup for a real business.

What it means

  • File Articles of Organization [Form LLC-1].
  • File Statement of Information [Form LLC-12] within 90 days.
  • Keep the operating agreement internally.
  • Handle the separate FTB annual-tax and Form 568 branch.

Why someone chooses it

  • Liability protection
  • Cleaner setup for banking, bookkeeping, and scaling
  • Better fit if you expect this to become a durable side business or full-time operation

Main downside: Higher setup friction and cost than a sole proprietorship

Back to top Next: What to do in order
Main path What to do in order The full end-to-end setup path, kept in the same order as the researched guide. Everyone 14 steps

  1. Step 1: Choose a low-risk launch model

    Main guide step 1

    For a first launch, stay inside the safest lane:

    Why it matters: Practical rule: If the plan involves alcohol delivery, cash-on-delivery, repeated Los Angeles home-office traffic, or employee hiring right away, slow down and close those branches before launch.

    • prepared-food or local delivery services
    • one personally managed vehicle, bike, or scooter
    • ordinary restaurant delivery before Shop & Deliver, alcohol, or other regulated branches
    • no storefront, inventory, or resale assumptions

  2. Step 2: Choose your name and brand approach

    Main guide step 2

    You need to decide whether you are:

    Why it matters: Important:

    • operating under your own legal name,
    • using a trade name or DBA,
    • delivering as a sole proprietor,
    • or using an LLC name that may differ from the public brand.
    • Your Dasher profile does not replace legal registration details.
    • If you want a separate public business name, handle the county FBN branch where required.

  3. Step 3: Form the business

    Main guide step 3

    If you choose sole proprietor: If you operate under your own legal name, no California Secretary of State formation filing is used for the baseline sole-proprietor path.

    • If you choose sole proprietor: If you operate under your own legal name, no California Secretary of State formation filing is used for the baseline sole-proprietor path.
    • If you choose sole proprietor: If you use a different public business name, file the county fictitious business name statement where your principal place of business is located.
    • If you choose single-member LLC: Do this in order:
    • If you choose single-member LLC: Check the name.
    • If you choose single-member LLC: File Articles of Organization [LLC-1].
    • If you choose single-member LLC: Get the EIN, keep the operating agreement internally, and file Statement of Information [LLC-12] within 90 days.
    • If you choose single-member LLC: Add the county FBN branch later only if the public business name differs from the legal LLC name.

  4. Step 4: Get your EIN

    Main guide step 4

    Use the IRS EIN application if applicable. For many LLCs this is required. For many sole proprietors it is optional but still useful for banking and tax paperwork.

  5. Step 5: Open banking and bookkeeping

    Main guide step 5

    Do this right away:

    • Open a business checking account.
    • Use one account and one card for business only.
    • Save every receipt for gas, charging, parking, phone costs, hot bags, mileage logs, tolls, and other real business expenses.
    • Download or save earnings histories and payout records.
    • Build a tax folder and a compliance folder from day one.

  6. Step 6: Register for state tax or equivalent setup

    Main guide step 6

    Practical rule:

    Why it matters: Use the FTB gig-economy and self-employed guidance as your baseline. If your facts later expand into selling goods, holding resale inventory, or another retail lane, treat that as separate follow-up research.

    • The reviewed California public record did not identify a default CDTFA seller's-permit branch for the baseline DoorDash courier fact pattern.
    • CDTFA's gig-economy and home-based-business guidance says sales and use tax generally does not apply when you provide a service rather than sell tangible goods.
    • The real tax branch here is gig-income and self-employment reporting, not inventory resale or storefront sales tax.

  7. Step 7: Check local permits, county rules, and home-business limits

    Main guide step 7

    California does not use one statewide local-business form for app-based delivery couriers.

    Why it matters: Do this before operating: Important Los Angeles boundary:

    • check CalGold,
    • check the county FBN branch if you will use a DBA,
    • check the city where you live and operate,
    • and check local home-based-business rules if your residence becomes more than an administrative base.
    • The Los Angeles Office of Finance says all individuals or entities conducting business activities within the City of Los Angeles must apply for and obtain a Business Tax Registration Certificate.
    • The LA Business Navigator home-business page also says home-based businesses work best when they do not generate many deliveries, pickups, or customer visits.

  8. Step 8: If you hire employees, handle payroll registrations and insurance

    Main guide step 8

    If you do not hire anyone yet, skip this for now.

    Why it matters: If you hire:

    • register with EDD within 15 days after paying more than $100 in wages in a calendar quarter,
    • get workers' compensation coverage before or at hiring,
    • and report new hires within 20 calendar days.

  9. Step 9: Create your DoorDash account

    Main guide step 9

    Have these ready:

    Why it matters: Platform registration flow: Important current California onboarding fact:

    • government-issued ID
    • driver's license, if dashing by car or scooter
    • Social Security number
    • phone number
    • email address
    • bank account information if using direct deposit
    • DoorDash's public signup page reviewed on April 26, 2026 says prospective Dashers in California must be at least 21 years old.
    • Start with DoorDash's public Dasher signup page.
    • Enter your email address and phone number and begin the account flow.
    • Provide required identity and background-check information.
    • Add payout information.
    • Wait for approval and then check status through the same signup flow if needed.

  10. Step 10: Choose the right platform plan

    Main guide step 10

    No public monthly Dasher subscription plan was identified in the reviewed DoorDash public pages on April 26, 2026.

    • No public monthly Dasher subscription plan was identified in the reviewed DoorDash public pages on April 26, 2026.
    • The practical platform choices are payout method and earning mode, not plan tiers.
    • DoorDash's current public pay page presents two earning modes: Earn per Offer and Earn by Time.

  11. Step 11: Decide whether brand or IP programs belong in the initial launch

    Main guide step 11

    Not part of the default beginner path for a standard DoorDash delivery-courier launch.

    • Not part of the default beginner path for a standard DoorDash delivery-courier launch.
    • If you later build a separate branded logistics business or employ drivers, treat that as a different branch.

  12. Step 12: Complete the operations branch

    Main guide step 12

    Use the platform-specific version of this section:

    Why it matters: DoorDash's public courier baseline reviewed on April 26, 2026:

    • California Dashers must be at least 21.
    • Any car, scooter, or bicycle can be used in select cities.
    • If dashing by bike, other ID can be used instead of a driver's license.
    • DoorDash says you need only a smartphone and a mode of transportation to begin once the account is approved.
    • Confirm your transportation type works in your market.
    • If using a car, keep your license and insurance current.
    • Add your payout method.
    • Learn the core app workflow before your first dash.
    • Start with ordinary restaurant delivery before adding more complex delivery types.
    • Keep a mileage log from the first delivery.

  13. Step 13: Confirm service or account eligibility before scaling

    Main guide step 13

    Ordinary restaurant delivery is the safest beginner path.

    • Ordinary restaurant delivery is the safest beginner path.
    • Do not assume Shop & Deliver, alcohol, pizza-program, or other specialized lanes work the same way.
    • DoorDash's public pages show multiple delivery types and earning modes, but not every market or Dasher sees every feature at the same time.

  14. Step 14: Launch with a compliance-first operating routine

    Main guide step 14

    Once live, keep these habits:

    • reconcile payouts, tips, and promotions
    • keep mileage and expense records
    • keep tax reserves separate
    • avoid mixing personal and business spending
    • monitor document and payout-method changes
    • re-check local or regulated-delivery branches before expanding

Best practical order for the LLC launch path

  1. Choose the delivery lane first.
  2. Choose the entity name.
  3. File LLC-1.
  4. Get the EIN.
  5. Open the bank account.
  6. Close the real tax branch for app-based delivery work.
  7. Check local city, county, and home-office rules.
  8. Build the DoorDash account.
  9. Finish verification and payout setup.
  10. Track mileage and taxes from the first dash.
  11. Add regulated or more complex delivery branches only after the ordinary restaurant-delivery lane works.
Back to top Next: California tax stack
State filing and tax California tax stack Keep the California registration, tax, and maintenance rules together while you launch. Everyone 7 checks

1. EIN

A typical single-member LLC needs one.

  • A typical single-member LLC needs one.
  • A sole proprietor commonly wants one for operations even when not strictly required.

2. California sales tax, seller permit, or equivalent registration

For the baseline DoorDash courier lane, the reviewed public California record did not identify a default CDTFA seller's-permit or resale registration step.

  • For the baseline DoorDash courier lane, the reviewed public California record did not identify a default CDTFA seller's-permit or resale registration step.
  • CDTFA says when there is no merchandise transferred in a transaction, there is no sale under California sales and use tax law.
  • Safe takeaway: treat this combo as a service-work and self-employment branch, not a seller's-permit or resale branch.

3. Marketplace or platform tax rule

Safe takeaway:

  • This is not a marketplace-facilitator combo and not a direct-store combo.
  • For California tax purposes, FTB says drivers for app-based transportation and delivery companies such as DoorDash are classified as independent contractors if specified conditions are met.
  • DIR's current public labor-commissioner page also says Proposition 22 created a different test for app-based drivers and that the Labor Commissioner does not enforce rights founded on Prop 22 itself.
  • keep tax treatment, labor classification, and later dispute posture separate
  • do not turn this into seller-permit or storefront analysis

4. Resale purchases or exempt purchasing

No resale-certificate branch was identified for the default DoorDash courier baseline.

  • No resale-certificate branch was identified for the default DoorDash courier baseline.
  • Keep inventory and resale assumptions out unless the business facts actually change.

5. Entity tax treatment

FTB's current single member LLC page says a disregarded SMLLC must still file Form 568.

  • FTB's current single member LLC page says a disregarded SMLLC must still file Form 568.
  • The SMLLC is subject to the annual tax, LLC fee, and credit limitations.

6. Entity filing-fee or franchise-tax rule

California LLCs generally face the annual $800 tax branch plus Form 568.

  • California LLCs generally face the annual $800 tax branch plus Form 568.
  • FTB's due-date resources also point to FTB 3522 for the annual tax and the broader LLC fee branch when applicable.
  • There is no broad no-tax-due escape hatch comparable to some other states' simple annual report systems.

7. If the founder changes entity type later

Do not assume DoorDash payout setup, tax records, or local registration stay correct after an entity or tax-ID change.

  • Do not assume DoorDash payout setup, tax records, or local registration stay correct after an entity or tax-ID change.
  • Re-check payout, city registration, and tax filings when the legal entity changes.
Back to top Next: DoorDash account and operations
Platform setup DoorDash account and operations Use this section for the DoorDash-specific account, plan, eligibility, and operations work. Everyone 5 steps

  1. Step 9: Create your DoorDash account

    Platform step 1

    Have these ready:

    Why it matters: Platform registration flow: Important current California onboarding fact:

    • government-issued ID
    • driver's license, if dashing by car or scooter
    • Social Security number
    • phone number
    • email address
    • bank account information if using direct deposit
    • DoorDash's public signup page reviewed on April 26, 2026 says prospective Dashers in California must be at least 21 years old.
    • Start with DoorDash's public Dasher signup page.
    • Enter your email address and phone number and begin the account flow.
    • Provide required identity and background-check information.
    • Add payout information.
    • Wait for approval and then check status through the same signup flow if needed.

  2. Step 10: Choose the right platform plan

    Platform step 2

    No public monthly Dasher subscription plan was identified in the reviewed DoorDash public pages on April 26, 2026.

    • No public monthly Dasher subscription plan was identified in the reviewed DoorDash public pages on April 26, 2026.
    • The practical platform choices are payout method and earning mode, not plan tiers.
    • DoorDash's current public pay page presents two earning modes: Earn per Offer and Earn by Time.

  3. Step 11: Decide whether brand or IP programs belong in the initial launch

    Platform step 3

    Not part of the default beginner path for a standard DoorDash delivery-courier launch.

    • Not part of the default beginner path for a standard DoorDash delivery-courier launch.
    • If you later build a separate branded logistics business or employ drivers, treat that as a different branch.

  4. Step 12: Complete the operations branch

    Platform step 4

    Use the platform-specific version of this section:

    Why it matters: DoorDash's public courier baseline reviewed on April 26, 2026:

    • California Dashers must be at least 21.
    • Any car, scooter, or bicycle can be used in select cities.
    • If dashing by bike, other ID can be used instead of a driver's license.
    • DoorDash says you need only a smartphone and a mode of transportation to begin once the account is approved.
    • Confirm your transportation type works in your market.
    • If using a car, keep your license and insurance current.
    • Add your payout method.
    • Learn the core app workflow before your first dash.
    • Start with ordinary restaurant delivery before adding more complex delivery types.
    • Keep a mileage log from the first delivery.

  5. Step 13: Confirm service or account eligibility before scaling

    Platform step 5

    Ordinary restaurant delivery is the safest beginner path.

    • Ordinary restaurant delivery is the safest beginner path.
    • Do not assume Shop & Deliver, alcohol, pizza-program, or other specialized lanes work the same way.
    • DoorDash's public pages show multiple delivery types and earning modes, but not every market or Dasher sees every feature at the same time.
Back to top Next: Local permits and Los Angeles branch
Local branch Local permits and Los Angeles branch These local and city checks can still change the answer even after the state and platform path is clear. Location-specific 2 branches

Local permits and location checks

California pushes some business-permit questions down to counties and municipalities.

  • California pushes some business-permit questions down to counties and municipalities.
  • For any place where the business will operate:
  • check CalGold,
  • contact the county clerk if you need a county FBN,
  • contact the city where you live and operate,
  • and ask local zoning or building offices if the residence becomes more than an administrative base.
  • Typical local risk areas:
  • FBN filing
  • home occupation restrictions
  • business tax registration
  • vehicle parking or storage rules
  • office traffic or pickup activity at a residence

Los Angeles Appendix

If the business operates in Los Angeles, add one more review layer.

  • If the business operates in Los Angeles, add one more review layer.
  • The Los Angeles Office of Finance says all individuals or entities conducting business activities within the City of Los Angeles must apply for and obtain a Business Tax Registration Certificate.
  • The same city page says the first year is not exempt from taxation, though the tax is paid in the second year on renewal as BACK TAX.
  • The same page also says businesses with global gross receipts under $100,000 may qualify for the Small Business Exemption if they renew on time.
  • The LA Business Navigator home-business page limits outside visibility, nonresident employees, deliveries and pickups, client visits, and commercial-vehicle storage.
  • Important practical caveat:
  • DoorDash courier work does not neatly match the city's generic home-office examples.
  • The safe path is to get an address-specific city answer if your residence becomes more than a simple paperwork base or if repeated delivery-related traffic is tied to the home.
Back to top Next: Employees and insurance
Optional branch Employees and insurance Use this branch if you plan to hire or need the insurance follow-up that comes with scaling. Only if hiring or scaling 5 branches

1. Employer registration

EDD says you must register as an employer within 15 days after paying more than $100 in wages in a calendar quarter.

  • EDD says you must register as an employer within 15 days after paying more than $100 in wages in a calendar quarter.
  • DIR's employer checklist still references the DE-1 registration form path, while EDD now emphasizes online payroll tax account registration.
  • register with EDD within 15 days after paying more than $100 in wages in a calendar quarter,

2. Workers' compensation

DIR says California employers must have workers' compensation insurance even if they have only one employee.

  • DIR says California employers must have workers' compensation insurance even if they have only one employee.
  • get workers' compensation coverage before or at hiring,

3. Disability, paid leave, or similar coverage

Once you become an employer, California payroll and leave compliance becomes its own branch through EDD and DIR.

  • Once you become an employer, California payroll and leave compliance becomes its own branch through EDD and DIR.
  • This pack does not flatten those employee rules into the ordinary solo-Dasher baseline.

4. Exemption certificate if applicable

No general California owner or small-employer exemption certificate was identified for the basic employer branch.

  • No general California owner or small-employer exemption certificate was identified for the basic employer branch.

Insurance reality

If you dash by car, DoorDash's public signup page says you need a valid driver's license and insurance.

  • If you dash by car, DoorDash's public signup page says you need a valid driver's license and insurance.
  • DoorDash's public help center currently exposes article titles for Understanding Auto Insurance Maintained by DoorDash and Occupational Accident Policy FAQ, but the article bodies were not reliably accessible in the public browser on April 26, 2026.
  • California's Proposition 22 framework still matters. The State Treasurer's public 2026 update says the per-mile compensation rate for app-based transportation and delivery drivers is $0.37.
  • DoorDash's public California Proposition 22 materials also say Dashers keep flexibility and receive benefits and protections such as a healthcare stipend, a minimum earnings guarantee, and enhanced occupational accident insurance.
Back to top Next: Ongoing compliance calendar
Stay compliant Ongoing compliance calendar Keep the recurring compliance checks and live-operating routine visible after launch. Everyone 5 groups

Before first delivery

  • Finish entity or DBA setup.
  • Get the EIN if applicable.
  • Open the bank account.
  • Close the real California tax branch.
  • Check local permits and home-office rules if they apply.
  • Complete Dasher verification and payout setup.

Before first live launch

  • Confirm your delivery lane is the simple one you planned.
  • Confirm weekly direct deposit, Fast Pay, or DoorDash Crimson is actually set the way you want.
  • Start your mileage and expense log.

Monthly

  • Reconcile payouts, tips, and promotions.
  • Review tax reserves.
  • Review mileage and expense records.
  • Check for app changes affecting payout or earning modes.

Quarterly

  • Review whether federal and California estimated-tax payments are due.
  • Re-check whether your local, regulated-delivery, or staffing facts changed enough to trigger new research.

Annual or periodic

  • File your county FBN renewal or republication branch when needed.
  • File LLC maintenance and FTB items if you use an LLC.
  • Re-check DoorDash tax-document, payout, and insurance pages before relying on them for the current filing year.
Back to top Next: Common mistakes
Avoid these Common mistakes These are the repeated beginner errors called out in the research pack. Everyone 7 mistakes

Common Mistakes New Operators Make

  • Assuming California meal-delivery work automatically needs a seller's permit
  • Turning on more complex delivery types before understanding the simple restaurant-delivery lane
  • Mixing personal and business money
  • Skipping mileage logs and tax reserves
  • Assuming DoorDash's public insurance posture replaces a real review of your own vehicle insurance
  • Ignoring Los Angeles city registration or home-office rules because the work is app-based
  • Treating weekly direct deposit, Fast Pay, and DoorDash Crimson as interchangeable

Practical first-launch recommendation

If you are testing casually with minimal legal complexity, sole proprietor can work.

If you intend to build a real long-term delivery business, separate the work financially, or add later complexity, single-member LLC is usually the better long-term path.

Back to top Next: Full official source directory
Full appendix Full official source directory Every official source row from the research pack, kept in its full table structure. Everyone 45 rows

Source group

Statewide Start

California GO-Biz

State start-here page

Form / portal Permit & Regulatory Assistance
Fee None for the page
Timing First planning step
Who needs it Everyone

Official statewide starting point for permits and licensing questions.

Open official link

CalGold

State business portal

Form / portal CalGold permit and license lookup
Fee None for the portal
Timing Before local setup
Who needs it Everyone

State-run lookup for city and county permit questions.

Open official link

California GO-Biz / CalOSBA

State small-business support hub

Form / portal Small-business support page
Fee None for the page
Timing Optional
Who needs it New California businesses

Useful statewide small-business support hub.

Open official link

Source group

Entity Choice and Formation

California Secretary of State

Compare business types

Form / portal Entity types guidance
Fee None for the page
Timing First decision
Who needs it Everyone

Official state explanation of sole proprietorships, corporations, and LLCs.

Open official link

California Secretary of State

Formation hub

Form / portal LLC forms and fees hub
Fee Varies
Timing Before launch
Who needs it Filing entities

Official state hub for LLC forms and fees.

Open official link

California Secretary of State

Default entity formation filing

Form / portal Articles of Organization [LLC-1]
Fee $70
Timing At formation
Who needs it single-member LLC founders

Main California LLC formation filing.

Open official link

California Secretary of State

Immediate post-filing requirement

Form / portal Statement of Information [LLC-12]
Fee $20
Timing Within 90 days of registration
Who needs it single-member LLC founders

The initial LLC-12 is due within 90 days.

Open official link

California Secretary of State

Ongoing entity maintenance

Form / portal LLC-12 / Statement of No Change when eligible
Fee $20
Timing Every 2 years after the initial filing
Who needs it single-member LLC founders

Public state page explains the regular LLC-12 cycle.

Open official link

Source group

Sole Proprietor and Local Name Filings

California Secretary of State

Sole proprietor baseline

Form / portal Sole-proprietor guidance
Fee None for operating under your own name
Timing Before launch
Who needs it Sole proprietors

No SOS formation filing is used for the ordinary sole-proprietor path.

Open official link

Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk

County FBN requirements

Form / portal County FBN filing requirements
Fee County-based
Timing Before using a DBA
Who needs it Sole proprietors or LLCs using a public trade name in Los Angeles County

Public county rules include notarized affidavit of identity and publication requirements.

Open official link

Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk

County FBN fees

Form / portal County fee table
Fee $26 first filing for one business name and one registrant
Timing At filing
Who needs it Los Angeles County DBA users

Current public fee table.

Open official link

Source group

Federal and State Tax Setup

IRS

EIN overview and online application

Form / portal Online EIN application
Fee Free
Timing Early in setup
Who needs it LLCs and sole proprietors who want an EIN

Standard federal EIN path.

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IRS

EIN paper form

Form / portal Form SS-4
Fee Free
Timing If not applying online
Who needs it Founders using the paper method

Paper fallback for EIN applications.

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Franchise Tax Board

California gig-income baseline

Form / portal Gig economy guidance
Fee None for the page
Timing Before launch and during tax season
Who needs it App-based gig workers

FTB says gig income is generally taxable and that app-based transportation and delivery drivers are treated as independent contractors for California tax purposes if specified conditions are met.

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California Department of Tax and Fee Administration

Seller-permit boundary for services

Form / portal Tax Guide for the Gig Economy
Fee None for the page
Timing Before assuming CDTFA registration applies
Who needs it Service-based gig workers

CDTFA says sales and use tax generally does not apply when you provide a service rather than sell tangible goods.

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California Department of Tax and Fee Administration

Seller-permit boundary for home services

Form / portal Home-based business getting-started guide
Fee None for the page
Timing Before assuming a seller's-permit branch
Who needs it Home-based service providers

CDTFA says when there is no merchandise transferred, there is no sale under California sales and use tax law.

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IRS

Federal self-employed tax center

Form / portal Self-employed tax center
Fee None for the page
Timing Ongoing
Who needs it Independent contractors and sole proprietors

Federal hub for estimated taxes, deductions, and recordkeeping.

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Source group

Entity Tax Maintenance

Franchise Tax Board

SMLLC tax treatment

Form / portal Single member LLC guidance
Fee None for the page
Timing During planning and annually
Who needs it single-member LLC founders

FTB says a disregarded SMLLC must still file Form 568 and is subject to the annual tax and fee rules.

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Franchise Tax Board

Due dates and tax forms

Form / portal Due dates: businesses
Fee $800 annual tax plus additional LLC fee if applicable
Timing Annual
Who needs it single-member LLC founders

FTB due-date page points to Form 568 and related LLC payment forms.

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Source group

Federal Reporting

FinCEN

BOI or other federal reporting status

Form / portal BOI status page
Fee None
Timing Check before filing
Who needs it Everyone forming an entity

Public FinCEN guidance says domestic U.S.-created entities are exempt under the current rule.

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Source group

Employees, Payroll, and Insurance

California Employment Development Department

Employer registration threshold

Form / portal Employer registration guidance
Fee None for registration
Timing Within 15 days after paying more than $100 in wages in a calendar quarter
Who needs it Businesses hiring employees

EDD states the wage threshold and timing.

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California Employment Development Department

Payroll tax account registration

Form / portal Payroll tax account registration
Fee None for registration
Timing Within 15 days after paying more than $100 in wages in a calendar quarter
Who needs it Employers

Current online registration path.

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California Employment Development Department

New-hire reporting

Form / portal Reporting requirements
Fee None for the page
Timing Within 20 calendar days of first day at work
Who needs it Employers

EDD says new or rehired California workers must be reported within 20 calendar days.

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California Department of Industrial Relations

Workers' compensation baseline

Form / portal Employer information
Fee Premium-based or varies
Timing Before or at hiring
Who needs it Employers

DIR says California employers must have workers' compensation insurance even if they have only one employee.

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California Department of Industrial Relations

First-employee checklist

Form / portal Before the First Employee Starts Work
Fee None for the page
Timing Before first employee starts work
Who needs it Employers

State checklist for EDD registration and workers' compensation.

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Source group

Platform Setup

DoorDash Dasher Central

Dasher signup page

Form / portal Dasher signup flow
Fee No public signup fee identified
Timing Before launch
Who needs it All new Dashers

Public signup page reviewed on April 26, 2026 says California Dashers must be at least 21, can use a car, scooter, or bicycle in select cities, and must provide identity and Social Security information.

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DoorDash Dasher Central

Getting started page

Form / portal Getting started guide
Fee None for the page
Timing During onboarding
Who needs it New Dashers

Public page says support resources exist in-app and on the help center and that account status can be checked through the signup flow.

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DoorDash Dasher Central

Dasher FAQ

Form / portal Dasher FAQ
Fee None for the page
Timing Before and after signup
Who needs it All Dashers

Public FAQ covers pay components, payout basics, bank-account setup, and promotions.

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DoorDash Dasher Central

Pay overview

Form / portal Dasher pay overview
Fee None for the page
Timing Before first dash
Who needs it All Dashers

Public page reviewed on April 26, 2026 says Dashers can use Earn per Offer or Earn by Time, keep 100% of customer tips, and are paid weekly by direct deposit with optional Fast Pay.

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DoorDash Dasher Central

DoorDash Crimson

Form / portal DoorDash Crimson payout account
Fee No fee to apply; other fees can apply depending on feature use
Timing Optional
Who needs it U.S. Dashers wanting faster access to earnings

Public page reviewed on April 26, 2026 says approval often happens right away, no credit check is required, ID verification may be required, and approved users receive no-fee payouts after every dash.

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DoorDash Dasher Central

Tax article

Form / portal DoorDash tax blog article
Fee None for the page
Timing Before tax season and filing
Who needs it Dashers filing taxes

Latest accessible public tax article reviewed on April 26, 2026 says Dashers are self-employed, DoorDash does not withhold taxes, and 1099-NEC delivery has run through Stripe when the threshold is met.

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Source group

Fulfillment, Logistics, or Store Operations

DoorDash Dasher Central

Core dash flow

Form / portal Dasher basics on signup page
Fee None for the page
Timing Before first dash
Who needs it New Dashers

Public signup page says the basic delivery flow is accept, pick up, and drop off.

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DoorDash Dasher Central

First-dash onboarding

Form / portal First-dash guide
Fee None for the page
Timing Before first dash
Who needs it New Dashers

Public guide explains app flow, zones, and what a first delivery looks like.

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DoorDash Dasher Central

Offer-type overview

Form / portal More ways to dash
Fee None for the page
Timing Before turning on more complex delivery types
Who needs it Dashers expanding beyond restaurant delivery

Public article shows that restaurant delivery, grocery or shop orders, and other delivery types can differ.

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DoorDash Dasher Central

Safety toolkit

Form / portal Safety features overview
Fee None for the page
Timing Before first dash and during operations
Who needs it All Dashers

Public page highlights in-app safety features and points Dashers back to the help center for more detail.

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DoorDash Dasher Central

New-support assistant

Form / portal Dashbuddy article
Fee None for the page
Timing Optional
Who needs it New Dashers

Public April 21, 2026 article introduces Dashbuddy as DoorDash's AI guide for new Dashers.

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Source group

Insurance Checkpoint

DoorDash Help Center

DoorDash auto-insurance article

Form / portal Help article
Fee None for the article
Timing Re-check before relying on platform-side auto coverage
Who needs it Dashers using a car

The article title is publicly visible, but the article body was not reliably accessible in the public browser on April 26, 2026; keep exact live coverage wording as retained follow-up.

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DoorDash Help Center topic index

DoorDash occupational-accident article visibility

Form / portal Help-center topic page
Fee None for the page
Timing Re-check before relying on platform-side injury coverage
Who needs it Dashers

The topic index publicly showed Occupational Accident Policy FAQ and Understanding Auto Insurance Maintained by DoorDash on April 26, 2026, but the underlying public article rendering was unstable in this browser session.

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California State Treasurer

California app-driver rate update

Form / portal Proposition 22 per-mile adjustment page
Fee None for the page
Timing Annual re-check
Who needs it California app-based transportation and delivery drivers

State Treasurer's 2026 update lists the current per-mile compensation rate at $0.37.

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California Department of Industrial Relations

Current Prop 22 labor posture

Form / portal Labor Commissioner's Prop 22 litigation update
Fee None for the page
Timing If worker-status disputes matter
Who needs it California app-based drivers

DIR says Prop 22 created a different test for app-based drivers and that the Labor Commissioner does not enforce rights founded on Prop 22 itself.

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DoorDash Newsroom

DoorDash Prop 22 statement

Form / portal DoorDash Prop 22 statement
Fee None for the page
Timing Re-check if California benefits language changes
Who needs it California Dashers

DoorDash's public July 25, 2024 statement says California Dashers keep flexibility plus benefits and protections such as a healthcare stipend and minimum earnings guarantee under Prop 22.

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Source group

Los Angeles Branch

Los Angeles Office of Finance

City business tax registration

Form / portal Business Tax Registration Certificate guidance
Fee Varies by classification; first-year tax is handled on later renewal
Timing If business activity occurs in the City of Los Angeles
Who needs it Los Angeles-based businesses

Public city page says all persons or entities conducting business activities in the city must obtain a BTRC.

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LA Business Navigator

City home-based-business rules

Form / portal Home-based business guidance
Fee None for the page
Timing Before relying on a home-office setup
Who needs it Home-based operators in the City of Los Angeles

Public city page limits outside visibility, nonresident employees, deliveries or pickups, client visits, and commercial-vehicle storage.

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Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk

County FBN requirements

Form / portal FBN filing requirements
Fee County-based
Timing Before using a DBA
Who needs it Los Angeles County businesses using a fictitious name

Public county page requires a notarized affidavit of identity and newspaper publication.

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Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk

County FBN fees

Form / portal Fee table
Fee $26 first filing for one business name and one registrant
Timing At filing
Who needs it Los Angeles County DBA users

Current county public fee table.

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