To start an LLC in Florida, file the Articles of Organization with the Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations (Sunbiz). The state filing fee is currently $125. This is a $100 filing fee plus a required $25 registered agent designation fee, paid together.
What's Different About Florida
- No state personal income tax, so LLC profits that pass through to owners are not taxed at the state level.
- A single annual report is the main ongoing filing. Its deadline is the same for every LLC: May 1.
- The $400 late fee on the annual report is automatic and is not waived.
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Choose a Business Name
The name must include "Limited Liability Company," "LLC," or "L.L.C." and be distinguishable from names already on file with the Division of Corporations.
Search Sunbiz Records
Search the Sunbiz business entity database before filing. A name conflict is one of the most common reasons a filing is rejected.
Choose a Registered Agent
Every Florida LLC needs a registered agent with a physical Florida street address who is available during business hours. You can serve as your own agent if you meet the requirements, or hire a service.
File Articles of Organization
File online through Sunbiz. The state fee is $125 ($100 filing + $25 registered agent designation). Online filings are usually processed within a few business days.
Prefer Help Filing Your LLC?
If you'd rather have a service help prepare and file your LLC formation documents, you can review the LLC formation services from LegalZoom or Bizee. A formation service is optional — you can always file directly with the state yourself.
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Create an Operating Agreement
Florida does not require you to file an operating agreement, but having a written one protects your liability shield and settles how the business is run, especially with more than one owner.
Get an EIN
Apply for a free Employer Identification Number directly from the IRS. You'll need it for a business bank account, hiring, and most tax filings.
Register for State Taxes and Local Licenses
If you sell taxable goods or services, register with the Florida Department of Revenue for sales tax. Most Florida counties and cities also require a local business tax receipt. Check with your county tax collector.
Set Up Business Finances
Open a separate business bank account and set up basic bookkeeping so business and personal money never mix.
File Your Annual Report Every Year
Every Florida LLC files an annual report between January 1 and May 1, starting the year after it forms. The fee is $138.75. After May 1 the total becomes $538.75, and LLCs that haven't filed by the third Friday of September are administratively dissolved.
How Much Does It Cost to Start an LLC in Florida?
| Fee | Amount | When |
|---|---|---|
| Articles of Organization (filing + registered agent fee) | $125 | One time |
| Annual report | $138.75 | Every year, Jan 1 – May 1 |
| Annual report late fee | +$400 | If filed after May 1 |
| Name reservation (optional) | $25 | Optional |
| Certificate of status (optional) | $5 | Optional |
| EIN from the IRS | $0 | One time |
Fees and requirements can change. Verify current amounts with the appropriate government agency before filing. Optional services such as registered agents or formation companies are not included above.
Licenses and Permits by Business Type
What Florida requires beyond forming the LLC, depending on what your business does.
Construction / Trades
Contractor registration · Bonding · Insurance · Professional licenses
Food Business
Food permits · Local health department requirements · Facility permits
Transportation
Vehicle requirements · Commercial insurance · State / federal transportation requirements
Ecommerce
Sales tax requirements · Ecommerce platform · Payment processor · Shipping · Returns policy · Privacy policy
Consulting / Freelance
Client contracts · Professional insurance · Invoicing
Ongoing Florida Requirements
- Annual report: $138.75, due January 1 – May 1 each year, starting the year after formation.
- Sales tax returns if you registered with the Department of Revenue.
- Local business tax receipt renewal (county/city), if required where you operate.
Federal note: since March 2025, LLCs formed in the United States are not required to file beneficial ownership (BOI) reports with FinCEN.
Common Florida LLC Mistakes
Filing the annual report after May 1. The $400 penalty is added automatically.
Listing a P.O. box for the registered agent. Florida requires a physical street address.
Forgetting the county or city business tax receipt, which is separate from forming the LLC.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to start an LLC in Florida?
The state fee is $125, which covers the $100 Articles of Organization filing fee and the $25 registered agent designation fee. After that, the annual report costs $138.75 per year.
When is my first Florida annual report due?
Between January 1 and May 1 of the year after your LLC is formed. An LLC formed anytime in 2026 files its first report in 2027.
Does Florida have a state income tax for LLCs?
Florida has no personal income tax, so profits from a typical pass-through LLC are not taxed by the state. An LLC that elects to be taxed as a C corporation may owe Florida corporate income tax.
Official Sources
Related LLC Guides
Florida LLC Cost
Every required government fee, plus what's optional.
Read the GuideWhat Is a Registered Agent?
What a registered agent does and who can serve as one.
Read the GuideHow to Get an EIN
Apply directly with the IRS — the application is free.
Read the GuideOperating Agreement Guide
What your agreement should cover, based on your ownership.
Read the GuideFlorida Business License
Formation and licensing are separate — see what applies to you.
Read the GuideFlorida LLC Annual Report
What to file each year, the fee, and the deadline.
Read the GuideWhat to Do After Forming Your LLC
The practical steps that come next.
Read the GuideStarting in Another State?
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