LLC Filing Cost
$125
$100 filing + $25 RA designation
Florida state guide
Start and Maintain
Start and Maintain
a Business in Florida
Get a clear overview of Florida LLC and corporation formation, registered-agent requirements, annual reports, business taxes, licenses and the recurring steps that keep a Florida entity active.
LLC Filing$125
Corp Filing$70
Annual Report DueMay 1
Corp. Tax Rate5.5%
Quick answer
How Do You Start a Business in Florida?
File Articles of Organization (LLC) or Articles of Incorporation (Corporation) with the Florida Department of State, appoint a registered agent with a physical Florida address, get an EIN, and complete any required licenses. Then stay compliant with annual reports and state tax obligations.
Read Full GuideFlorida Business Snapshot
Essential information at a glance for your Florida business.
Corp Filing Cost
$70
$35 filing + $35 RA designation
Annual Report Fee
$138.75
LLC. Corporation: $150
Sales Tax Rate
6%
County surtax may apply
Corporate Tax Rate
5.5%
On Florida net income (from Jan 1, 2022)
General Business License
Varies
No single state license. Industry & local licenses may be required.
Entity types
LLC vs Corporation
Compare the key differences and find the best structure for your business needs.
LLC Highlights
- Filing cost: $125
- Registered agent required
- Annual report: $138.75
- Flexible management
- Pass-through taxation
Best for small to medium businesses, startups and entrepreneurs.
Simpler structure with fewer formalities and greater flexibility.
Corporation Highlights
- Filing cost: $70
- Registered agent required
- Annual report: $150
- Directors, officers and bylaws
- 5.5% state tax on C-corp net income
Best for companies raising investment or planning to issue shares.
More formal structure, with the option to elect S-corp taxation.
How it works
LLC Formation Journey
Follow these simple steps to form your Florida LLC. Select a step for details.
Online filings: typically about 5 business days
Step 1 of 6
Search the name on Sunbiz. It must be distinguishable from existing Florida entities and include “LLC”, “L.L.C.” or “Limited Liability Company”. Florida doesn’t reserve LLC names — filing your articles is what secures it.
Search the name on Sunbiz. It must be distinguishable from existing Florida entities and include “LLC”, “L.L.C.” or “Limited Liability Company”. Florida doesn’t reserve LLC names — filing your articles is what secures it.
Name a Florida resident, or a business authorized to operate in Florida, with a Florida street address (no P.O. boxes). The agent must be there to accept legal papers from 10 a.m. to noon and 2 to 4 p.m. on business days. The LLC can’t be its own agent.
File Articles of Organization online through Sunbiz. The state fee is $125: $100 to file plus $25 for the registered agent designation. A certified copy ($30) and certificate of status ($5) are optional.
Apply to the IRS for free. Owners with an SSN or ITIN can apply online; owners without one apply with Form SS-4 by fax or mail. You’ll need the EIN for banking, hiring and taxes.
Florida has no general state license. Check your city and county for a local business tax receipt, and the DBPR (or the Department of Health for health care) if your profession is regulated. Register with the Department of Revenue to collect sales tax and, if you’ll have employees, for reemployment tax.
File the annual report between January 1 and May 1 every year, starting the year after you form, and keep your registered agent current. Filing after May 1 adds a $400 late fee.
Requirement
Registered Agent in Florida
You must have a registered agent with a physical Florida street address. The business cannot serve as its own agent.
- Physical Florida address required
- Accepts legal documents & service of process
- A Florida resident or a Florida-registered business can serve
Annual report deadline
MAY 1
$400Late fee
Filing after May 1 brings the total to $538.75 for an LLC and $550 for a profit corporation.
— days until the next deadline
View Annual Report DetailsTaxes & Compliance
Understand your tax obligations and stay compliant in Florida.
5.5%
Corporate Income Tax
(From Jan 1, 2022)
6%
State Sales Tax
(County surtax may apply)
Local Taxes
(Varies by county)
FloridaTax Explorer View Full Tax Guide
Processing Times
Florida has no paid rush option. How you file sets the wait.
Online (Sunbiz)
About 5 Business Days
$0 (no extra fee)
By Mail
Slower
$0 (mail time + paper queue)
Official portal
Florida State Portal
Manage your business online with the Florida Department of State (Sunbiz).
- File formations & annual reports
- Check entity status
- Access official records
- Manage compliance
Global founders
International Founders
Doing business in Florida from abroad? We make it simple.
- Foreign LLC & corporation registration
- Guidance on international documentation
- Support for global entrepreneurs
Answers
Florida Knowledge Center
Find answers to common questions and get the guidance you need.
Still have a question?
Talk to an Expert
Our team answers Florida formation and compliance questions in plain language.
Popular Questions
How long does it take to form an LLC in Florida?
Online filings through Sunbiz are typically approved in about 5 business days. Mailed filings take longer. Florida does not sell a paid rush option.
What is the filing fee for a Florida LLC?
$125: $100 for the Articles of Organization plus a $25 registered agent designation fee. A certified copy ($30) and a certificate of status ($5) are optional.
When is the annual report due in Florida?
Between January 1 and May 1 every year, starting the year after you form. Filing after May 1 adds a $400 late fee.
Can non-US residents form a business in Florida?
Yes. Florida has no residency or citizenship requirement for owners. You need a registered agent with a Florida street address, and you can get an EIN from the IRS without an SSN.
How much does it cost to form a Florida corporation?
$70: $35 for the Articles of Incorporation plus $35 to designate a registered agent. A certified copy and a certificate of status are $8.75 each if you want them.
Can I be my own registered agent in Florida?
Yes, if you live in Florida and have a Florida street address (no P.O. box) where you can accept legal papers from 10 a.m. to noon and 2 to 4 p.m. on business days. The business itself cannot act as its own agent.
Does Florida have a state income tax?
Not for individuals. C corporations, and LLCs taxed as C corporations, pay a 5.5% corporate income tax on Florida net income above a $50,000 exemption. S corporations and LLCs taxed as pass-throughs generally do not owe it.
What is the sales tax rate in Florida?
The state rate is 6%. Most counties add a discretionary sales surtax, so the rate your customers pay depends on the county.
Do I need a state business license in Florida?
Florida has no general state business license. Most cities and counties require a local business tax receipt, and regulated professions need a license from the DBPR or another state agency, such as the Department of Health.
What happens if I miss the annual report deadline?
A $400 late fee applies after May 1. If the report is still not filed, the state administratively dissolves the business later in the year, and it must be reinstated to operate.
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