Florida attracts entrepreneurs with no personal income tax and a growing economy. This guide to LLC formation in Florida explains the filing, the annual report and the deadline that costs many owners money.
Forming a Florida LLC is quick through the state's Sunbiz system. However, the annual report deadline is strict, and late fees are steep. Therefore, set up reminders from the start.
Our attorneys form Florida LLCs and draft operating agreements at fixed prices.
Filing your Florida LLC
Florida LLCs are formed by filing Articles of Organization with the Florida Division of Corporations, usually online at Sunbiz. State fees change from time to time, so confirm the current amount when you file.
The articles list the LLC's name, principal address, registered agent and, optionally, managers. Moreover, Florida requires the registered agent to sign an acceptance. Consequently, choose your agent before filing.
Name rules
The name must be distinguishable from existing names and include "Limited Liability Company", "LLC" or a similar designation. Our LLC Formation service, from $99, checks availability and handles the filing.
Annual reports and the May 1 deadline
Every Florida LLC must file an annual report between January 1 and May 1 each year. The report confirms or updates the LLC's information.
The deadline matters. If you file after May 1, Florida charges a substantial late fee. Furthermore, if you never file, the state administratively dissolves the LLC later in the year. As a result, a missed report can cost money and good standing.
Our annual report filing service tracks and files the report for you.
Florida taxes
Florida has no personal income tax. Consequently, LLCs taxed as partnerships or sole proprietorships pass income through without state income tax.
However, Florida does have a corporate income tax. It can apply to LLCs that elect to be taxed as C corporations. In addition, businesses may owe sales tax, reemployment tax for employees and local business taxes. Therefore, register with the Florida Department of Revenue when required.
Your Florida operating agreement
Filing with the state creates the LLC. However, the operating agreement decides how it actually works. Without one, Florida's default LLC rules apply, and they may not match your deal.
What it should cover
A strong agreement sets ownership percentages and capital contributions. Moreover, it explains how profits and losses are allocated and when distributions are paid. In addition, it sets voting rules and decides whether the LLC is managed by its members or by managers.
Exits and disputes
Next, the agreement should plan for exits. For example, what happens if a member dies, divorces, becomes disabled or simply wants out? Similarly, how is a departing member's interest valued and paid? A buy-sell agreement can add detail here.
Florida notes
Florida does not require you to file the operating agreement with the state. However, banks, investors and courts often ask to see it. Therefore, keep a signed copy with your records.
Our LLC Operating Agreement service drafts a Florida-ready agreement, starting at $79.
Local business tax receipts
Many Florida cities and counties require a local business tax receipt to operate. For example, a business in Miami-Dade or Orange County may need both a county and a city receipt. Consequently, check local requirements after forming the LLC.
Licensed professions also need state licenses from the relevant board. Therefore, confirm your licensing before you open.
Flat fee LLC formation pricing in Florida
Our LLC Formation service starts at $99, plus state fees. Our operating agreement starts at $79. In addition, our annual report filing service keeps you ahead of the May 1 deadline.
If you need a corporation instead, our corporation formation service sets it up. For more, read our national guide to LLC formation and corporate structuring.
Common Florida LLC mistakes
The most common Florida mistake is missing the May 1 annual report deadline. Consequently, owners pay a late fee or lose good standing. Another mistake is using a personal home address as the principal address without realizing it becomes public on Sunbiz.
Similarly, some owners skip the operating agreement. As a result, disputes are decided by default rules. Therefore, put your agreement in writing from day one.
LLC or corporation in Florida?
Most small businesses in Florida choose an LLC for its flexibility and simple taxes. However, a corporation is sometimes the better fit. For example, startups seeking venture capital usually need a C corporation, often formed in Delaware and registered in Florida. In addition, Florida corporations file the same May 1 annual report as LLCs, so the paperwork burden is similar. Consequently, compare both before you file. Our business formation consultation walks through the trade-offs for your plans.
Protecting your liability shield in Florida
An LLC protects your personal assets only if you treat it as a separate business. Courts in Florida, like courts elsewhere, can disregard the LLC in serious cases of abuse. This is often called piercing the veil.
Therefore, sign contracts in the LLC's name, keep business money in a business account and keep the LLC adequately funded. In addition, carry appropriate insurance, because an LLC does not protect you from your own personal negligence. Consequently, good habits from day one keep your protection strong.
Our LLC Formation services in Florida
Every service below has a fixed price, is prepared by a qualified attorney and is delivered online — wherever you are in Florida. Additionally, you can upload evidence, message your attorney and track progress from your secure client dashboard.
LLC Formation Documents in Florida
Articles of organization, EIN guidance and initial resolutions (state fees extra).
Moreover, it is usually ready in 3 working days. Express delivery is also available. As a result, you can act before deadlines pass.
Order LLC Formation Documents — from $99 See what's included →
LLC Operating Agreement in Florida
Single- or multi-member operating agreement.
Moreover, it is usually ready in 3 working days. Express delivery is also available. As a result, you can act before deadlines pass.
Order LLC Operating Agreement — from $79 See what's included →
Corporation Formation (C-Corp / S-Corp) in Florida
Formation of your corporation: articles of incorporation, bylaws, initial resolutions, share issuance and S-election guidance.
It includes prepared by our US legal team for your state, based on your questionnaire answers and documents, word and PDF, ready to sign, send or file. Moreover, it is usually ready in 5 working days. Express delivery is also available. As a result, you can act before deadlines pass.
Order Corporation Formation (C-Corp / S-Corp) — $999 See what's included →
Business formation consultation in Florida
A confidential 45–60 minute phone or video consultation with a licensed US attorney about choosing and forming the right business entity. Get straight answers on your rights, options, risks and likely costs, and a clear plan for your next steps.
It includes 45–60 minute call with a licensed US attorney — phone, video or WhatsApp, upload documents beforehand so your attorney is prepared, your rights, options, risks and likely costs in plain English. Moreover, it is usually ready in 1 working day. Express delivery is also available. As a result, you can act before deadlines pass.
Order Business formation consultation — $299 See what's included →
Annual Report Filing in Florida
Preparation and filing of your company's annual report with the Secretary of State.
It includes prepared by our US legal team for your state, based on your questionnaire answers and documents, word and PDF, ready to sign, send or file. Moreover, it is usually ready in 2 working days. Express delivery is also available. As a result, you can act before deadlines pass.
Foreign Qualification Filing (per state) in Florida
Registering your company to do business in another state, including the certificate of good standing and registered agent.
It includes prepared by our US legal team for your state, based on your questionnaire answers and documents, word and PDF, ready to sign, send or file. Moreover, it is usually ready in 3 working days. Express delivery is also available. As a result, you can act before deadlines pass.
Order Foreign Qualification Filing (per state) — $250 See what's included →
Buy-Sell Agreement in Florida
A buy-sell agreement setting what happens to an owner's share on death, disability, divorce or exit — and how it is valued.
It includes prepared by our US legal team for your state, based on your questionnaire answers and documents, word and PDF, ready to sign, send or file. Moreover, it is usually ready in 7 working days. Express delivery is also available. As a result, you can act before deadlines pass.
LLC Formation across Florida — cities we serve
We work with clients in every part of Florida, entirely online. Therefore, it does not matter whether you live downtown or hours from the nearest courthouse. Your documents follow Florida law and your county's local practice. Choose your city below to see local details and prices.
- Miami: LLC Formation Documents in Miami · LLC Operating Agreement in Miami · Corporation Formation (C-Corp / S-Corp) in Miami
- Jacksonville: LLC Formation Documents in Jacksonville · LLC Operating Agreement in Jacksonville · Corporation Formation (C-Corp / S-Corp) in Jacksonville
- Tampa: LLC Formation Documents in Tampa · LLC Operating Agreement in Tampa · Corporation Formation (C-Corp / S-Corp) in Tampa
- Orlando: LLC Formation Documents in Orlando · LLC Operating Agreement in Orlando · Corporation Formation (C-Corp / S-Corp) in Orlando
- St. Petersburg: LLC Formation Documents in St. Petersburg · LLC Operating Agreement in St. Petersburg · Corporation Formation (C-Corp / S-Corp) in St. Petersburg
- Hialeah: LLC Formation Documents in Hialeah · LLC Operating Agreement in Hialeah · Corporation Formation (C-Corp / S-Corp) in Hialeah
- Tallahassee: LLC Formation Documents in Tallahassee · LLC Operating Agreement in Tallahassee · Corporation Formation (C-Corp / S-Corp) in Tallahassee
- Fort Lauderdale: LLC Formation Documents in Fort Lauderdale · LLC Operating Agreement in Fort Lauderdale · Corporation Formation (C-Corp / S-Corp) in Fort Lauderdale
- Port St. Lucie: LLC Formation Documents in Port St. Lucie · LLC Operating Agreement in Port St. Lucie · Corporation Formation (C-Corp / S-Corp) in Port St. Lucie
- Cape Coral: LLC Formation Documents in Cape Coral · LLC Operating Agreement in Cape Coral · Corporation Formation (C-Corp / S-Corp) in Cape Coral
- Pembroke Pines: LLC Formation Documents in Pembroke Pines · LLC Operating Agreement in Pembroke Pines · Corporation Formation (C-Corp / S-Corp) in Pembroke Pines
- Hollywood: LLC Formation Documents in Hollywood · LLC Operating Agreement in Hollywood · Corporation Formation (C-Corp / S-Corp) in Hollywood
- Gainesville: LLC Formation Documents in Gainesville · LLC Operating Agreement in Gainesville · Corporation Formation (C-Corp / S-Corp) in Gainesville
- Coral Springs: LLC Formation Documents in Coral Springs · LLC Operating Agreement in Coral Springs · Corporation Formation (C-Corp / S-Corp) in Coral Springs
- Boca Raton: LLC Formation Documents in Boca Raton · LLC Operating Agreement in Boca Raton · Corporation Formation (C-Corp / S-Corp) in Boca Raton
- West Palm Beach: LLC Formation Documents in West Palm Beach · LLC Operating Agreement in West Palm Beach · Corporation Formation (C-Corp / S-Corp) in West Palm Beach
- Naples: LLC Formation Documents in Naples · LLC Operating Agreement in Naples · Corporation Formation (C-Corp / S-Corp) in Naples
- Sarasota: LLC Formation Documents in Sarasota · LLC Operating Agreement in Sarasota · Corporation Formation (C-Corp / S-Corp) in Sarasota
- Pensacola: LLC Formation Documents in Pensacola · LLC Operating Agreement in Pensacola · Corporation Formation (C-Corp / S-Corp) in Pensacola
More Florida services
LLC Operating Agreement in Florida · Corporation Formation (C-Corp / S-Corp) in Florida · Business formation consultation in Florida · Annual Report Filing in Florida · Foreign Qualification Filing (per state) in Florida · Buy-Sell Agreement in Florida. See all legal services in Florida.
Nearby states
Moving between states, or is the other party elsewhere? We also cover LLC Formation Documents in Georgia, LLC Formation Documents in Alabama. See every location we cover.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to form an LLC in Florida?
Our attorney-prepared formation starts at $99 plus the Florida filing and registered agent designation fees.
When is the Florida LLC annual report due?
Between January 1 and May 1 each year. Filing after May 1 triggers a substantial late fee.
Does Florida have a state income tax for LLCs?
Florida has no personal income tax, so most pass-through LLCs pay no state income tax. LLCs taxed as C corporations may owe corporate income tax.
Is my Florida LLC information public?
Yes. Sunbiz shows the LLC's principal address, registered agent and managers or authorized persons.
Do you form LLCs anywhere in Florida?
Yes. We form Florida LLCs and draft operating agreements for businesses statewide.
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Related guides
This guide is general information, not legal advice for your situation. Every case is different — speak to a qualified attorney before you act.