Why Form an LLC in Florida?
Florida is the third most popular state for LLC formation in the US, behind only Delaware and Wyoming. With no personal state income tax, a massive consumer market of 22+ million residents, and a business-friendly regulatory environment, Florida attracts entrepreneurs from across the country and around the world.
The Sunshine State is particularly popular with e-commerce businesses, Amazon FBA sellers, real estate investors, and service-based companies. Florida's Division of Corporations processes filings quickly (typically 1-2 days for online submissions), and the state has a well-established LLC statute that provides clear legal frameworks.
However, Florida is not necessarily the best choice for non-residents. The $125 filing fee is higher than Wyoming ($100), New Mexico ($50), or Montana ($35). The annual report fee of $138.75 is more than double Wyoming's $60. And while Florida has no personal income tax, it does have a 5.5% corporate income tax that can apply in certain structures.
Florida makes the most sense if you have a physical presence in the state, sell to Florida customers, or need a Florida address for business credibility. For non-residents with no US operations, Wyoming or New Mexico typically offer better value.
Florida LLC Costs and Fees
All fees below are sourced from the Florida Division of Corporations (Sunbiz) fee schedule.
| Fee | Amount | When Due |
|---|---|---|
| Articles of Organization | $125 | One-time (at formation) |
| Annual report | $138.75/year | Due between Jan 1 - May 1 |
| Late filing supplement | $400 | If annual report filed after May 1 |
| Registered agent | $100-150/year (third party) | Ongoing |
| Registered agent designation | $25 | Included in Articles filing |
| Personal income tax | 0% | Florida has no personal income tax |
| Corporate income tax | 5.5% | On income over $50,000 (corporations only) |
| Sales tax | 6% + local surtax | If selling taxable goods in FL |
| Amendment | $25 | When needed |
| Certificate of Status | $5 | When needed |
Watch out for the late fee
Florida's $400 supplemental late fee for annual reports filed after May 1 is one of the harshest penalties in the US. Mark your calendar. If you miss the deadline, you pay $538.75 instead of $138.75 — nearly four times the normal cost. After the third Friday of September, your LLC will be administratively dissolved.
Step-by-Step: How to Form a Florida LLC
Step 1: Choose your LLC name
Your LLC name must be distinguishable from existing entities in Florida and must include "Limited Liability Company," "LLC," or "L.L.C." Search for available names on Sunbiz. Name reservation is available for 120 days for $25.
Step 2: Appoint a registered agent
Every Florida LLC must have a registered agent with a physical street address in Florida. The registered agent must be either a Florida resident or a business entity authorized to do business in Florida. USLLCGlobal includes registered agent service.
Step 3: File Articles of Organization
File online through Sunbiz e-filing or by mail. The filing requires:
- LLC name with designator
- Principal office address
- Mailing address
- Registered agent name and street address in FL
- Name and address of each manager (if manager-managed) or member (if member-managed)
- Effective date
- $125 filing fee ($100 filing + $25 registered agent designation)
Privacy note
Unlike Wyoming and New Mexico, Florida requires the names and addresses of members or managers in the Articles of Organization. This information becomes public record on the Sunbiz website. If privacy is your primary concern, consider Wyoming or New Mexico instead.
Step 4: Create an Operating Agreement
Florida law recognizes Operating Agreements and treats them as the governing document of the LLC. While not required to be filed with the state, an Operating Agreement is essential for banking and operations.
Step 5: Obtain an EIN
Apply for an EIN from the IRS using Form SS-4. Online application available for those with an SSN. Non-residents apply by fax or mail (4-8 weeks).
Step 6: Register for Florida sales tax (if applicable)
If you will sell taxable goods or services in Florida, you must register for a sales tax certificate with the Florida Department of Revenue. There is no fee for registration.
Annual Compliance Requirements
- Annual report: Due between January 1 and May 1 each year. Fee: $138.75. Filed online at Sunbiz. $400 supplemental late fee after May 1.
- Federal tax filing: Form 5472 with pro forma 1120 for foreign-owned LLCs. Due April 15.
- Registered agent: Maintain a registered agent with a physical Florida address at all times.
- Sales tax returns: If registered for Florida sales tax, file returns on the required schedule (monthly, quarterly, or semi-annually).
- FinCEN BOI Report: Required under the Corporate Transparency Act.
Florida Taxes for LLCs
| Tax Type | Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Personal income tax | 0% | Florida has no personal income tax |
| Corporate income tax | 5.5% | On income over $50,000; applies to C-Corps and LLCs electing corporate taxation |
| Franchise tax | $0 | No separate franchise tax |
| Sales tax | 6% + local (0.5-2.5%) | On taxable goods and some services |
| Unemployment tax | 0.1% - 5.4% | If you have employees in FL |
For non-residents operating a single-member LLC (taxed as a disregarded entity) with no Florida-sourced income, the effective state tax is $0 on income. You will still owe the $138.75 annual report fee regardless.
Privacy Protections
Florida's LLC privacy is weaker than Wyoming and New Mexico:
- Member/manager names are public: Florida requires member or manager names and addresses in the Articles of Organization, which are publicly searchable on Sunbiz
- Annual report updates: The annual report requires updated member/manager information, refreshing the public record each year
- Registered agent is public: As with all states, the registered agent information is public
If privacy is important to you, Florida is not the best choice. Wyoming and New Mexico offer significantly stronger privacy protections.
Processing Times
| Processing Option | Time | Additional Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Online filing | 1-2 business days | $0 |
| Mail filing | 5-7 business days | $0 |
Florida does not offer formal expedited processing, but online filings are processed very quickly — typically within 1-2 business days.
Pros and Cons of a Florida LLC
Advantages
- No personal state income tax
- Large consumer market (22M+ residents)
- Fast online processing (1-2 days)
- Well-established LLC statute
- Strong e-commerce and business infrastructure
- No franchise tax
- Good credibility with US banks and partners
- Low Certificate of Status fee ($5)
Disadvantages
- $138.75/year annual report (more than Wyoming's $60)
- $400 late fee for annual report (harsh penalty)
- Weak privacy (member names are public)
- $125 filing fee (higher than average)
- 5.5% corporate income tax for C-Corps
- 6%+ sales tax on taxable goods
- Annual report required between Jan 1 - May 1 (narrow window)
Our Pricing: Florida LLC Formation
Domestic Filers (US Residents)
$249 service fee + $125 state filing fee
International Filers (Non-US Residents)
$349 service fee + $125 state filing fee
Every formation package includes:
- Articles of Organization filing with Florida Division of Corporations
- One year of registered agent service in Florida
- Custom Operating Agreement
- EIN application
- Banking introduction letter
- Digital document delivery within 24 hours of state approval
- Compliance calendar with all filing deadlines
- Dedicated support via email and WhatsApp
Form your Florida LLC today
$374 all-in for US residents. $474 for international filers. Fast online processing.
Start My Florida LLC →Comparing states? Read our Wyoming vs Delaware comparison guide for an honest breakdown of the top formation states.