> What’s the benefit to the business of that $800 fee?
Doing business in California: both local and foreign LLCs doing business in CA pay it.
> Why is it almost 4 times more than Delaware?
Why shouldn't it be?
> WHY does it cost $800 just to exist?
You can do business as a sole proprietor or general (or limited, but not limited liability) partnership without the franchise fee. You are paying for the right to do business in CA with a liability shield. The potential value to you (and cost to the public) of such a shield, all other things being equal, is greater in a bigger market. California has more than 30 times the population and 40 times the GDP of Delaware.
Doing business in California: both local and foreign LLCs doing business in CA pay it.
> Why is it almost 4 times more than Delaware?
Why shouldn't it be?
> WHY does it cost $800 just to exist?
You can do business as a sole proprietor or general (or limited, but not limited liability) partnership without the franchise fee. You are paying for the right to do business in CA with a liability shield. The potential value to you (and cost to the public) of such a shield, all other things being equal, is greater in a bigger market. California has more than 30 times the population and 40 times the GDP of Delaware.