Short answer
Forming a Florida LLC takes six steps: pick a name, choose a registered agent, file Articles of Organization on Sunbiz ($125 in state fees), get an EIN from the IRS (free), check local licenses, and file an Annual Report every year between January 1 and May 1.
1. Choose your company name
Florida requires the name to include "Limited Liability Company," "LLC" or "L.L.C." It also has to be distinguishable from names already on file. Search the name on Sunbiz, the Florida Division of Corporations website, before you fall in love with it.
2. Choose a registered agent
Every Florida LLC needs a registered agent: a person or company that receives legal notices for the business. The agent must have a physical street address in Florida and be available during business hours. That address becomes public on Sunbiz, so many owners prefer not to use their home address.
3. File the Articles of Organization
This is the filing that creates the LLC. It is submitted online on Sunbiz with the company name, principal address, registered agent and the people who manage the company. The state fee is $125: $100 for the Articles plus $25 for the registered agent designation. Once approved, your LLC appears in the state's records.
4. Get an EIN from the IRS
The EIN is your company's federal tax ID. You need it to open a business bank account, hire employees and handle 1099s. A multi-member LLC must have one, and most single-member LLCs get one anyway to keep business and personal finances separate. The IRS does not charge for it.
5. Check local and trade licenses
Depending on your city, county and type of work, you may need a local business tax receipt or a state license. Contractors, for example, should confirm whether their trade requires a state license before taking jobs.
6. Keep the LLC active every year
Every Florida LLC files an Annual Report between January 1 and May 1, starting the year after it is formed. The state fee is $138.75. Miss May 1 and Florida adds a $400 late fee. Keep the report on your calendar every year.
Two documents people forget
- Operating agreement. Florida does not require you to file one, but it sets out who owns and runs the company. It is worth having, and an attorney can draft one for your situation.
- Fictitious name (DBA). If you will do business under a name other than the LLC's legal name, register it with the state. The state fee is $50.
What it costs, all in
- Florida filing: $125
- EIN: free
- Annual Report each year: $138.75
- With L3 handling the paperwork: $100 per filing, plus the state fee
State fees change from time to time, so we confirm the current amount on Sunbiz before every filing.
Quick questions
How much does it cost to start an LLC in Florida?
The state filing fee is $125: $100 for the Articles of Organization and $25 for the registered agent designation. The EIN from the IRS is free.
When is the Florida LLC Annual Report due?
Every year between January 1 and May 1, starting the year after the LLC is formed. Florida charges a $400 late fee after May 1.
This article is general information, not legal or tax advice. For advice about your situation, talk to a Florida attorney or your CPA. I AM NOT AN ATTORNEY LICENSED TO PRACTICE LAW IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA, AND I MAY NOT GIVE LEGAL ADVICE OR ACCEPT FEES FOR LEGAL ADVICE.