Florida
LLC, Business License, Incorporation
Florida remains one of our most popular states for incorporation and LLC formation. With the fourth largest population in the United States, Florida has a thriving business community. Some of the largest U.S. companies, including Publix Super Markets and Tech Data, maintain their headquarters in Florida. This state also services many small businesses, particularly in major industries tourism, agriculture, and mining.
Forming a Corporation in Florida
When you decide that it's the right time to incorporate in Florida, your business will need to submit the proper documents to the state of Florida. Whether you plan to establish a for-profit or nonprofit business, Florida incorporation requires numerous documents, including your articles of incorporation.
Sole proprietors and entrepreneurs who wish to make incorporation in Florida as easy and painless as possible can rely on incorporate.com to complete the necessary steps for them. incorporate.com ensures that forms are filled out properly and that fees are submitted to the right government office.
Using a Florida Incorporation Service
Using a Florida incorporation service allows you concentrate on creating and running your business instead of worrying about bureaucratic paperwork. Entrepreneurs have enough to focus on with launching their businesses, rather than focusing on administrative requirements put in place by state and federal governments.
incorporate.com has over a century of experience forming corporations and other types of business entities in Florida. Our service streamlines the incorporation process so you can start your business as soon as possible. We can help you incorporate in Florida online by making sure that every document has been filled out and submitted.
Cost to Incorporate in Florida
Florida charges a base fee of $70 which includes filing fees and the cost of registered agent designation. The actual cost to incorporate in Florida, however, can depend on several variables, such as where you are located and what kind of corporation you run. Additional fees may also need to be paid to the Florida Department of State Division of Corporations. Some common corporation fees include:
- Certified copy fee: $8.75
- Certificate of Status: $8.75
- Foreign name renewal: $87.50
- Reinstatement for a nonprofit: $175
- Reinstatement for a profit corporation: $600
- Resignation of registered agent for an active corporation: $87.50
- Resignation of registered agent for an inactive corporation: $35
Companies that attempt to complete the incorporation process on their own may later learn that they have accidentally overlooked paying important fees. This can hamper their progress. incorporate.com includes all state fees in its service packages, eliminating worries as to whether all appropriate fees have been paid. Instead, incorporate.com handles the details so you can start reaping the benefits of owning a Florida corporation as soon as possible. incorporate.com also offers Florida Registered Agent services to ensure you are forwarded all official and legal documents for your business.
Certificate of Incorporation in Florida
In Florida, each certificate of incorporation is issued by Department of State's Division of Corporations. While many Florida incorporation forms are located on the Department of State's website, entrepreneurs and sole proprietors often find the process confusing. For example, the website includes extraneous information that may not pertain to your specific organization or category of business.
incorporate.com has been through this process numerous times. We can look up existing business names, fill out and notarize your forms, and submit important articles to the correct office without getting lost in a maze of irrelevant links.
Incorporating in Florida: FAQs
How to Incorporate in Florida
There are several steps to incorporating an organization in Florida. Follow this basic outline to learn more about the individual steps for your own edification:
- Choose an organization name according to Florida's rules.
- File your organization's articles of incorporation with the Department of State.
- Hold a meeting to write your organization's bylaws.
- Request a Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN) from the IRS.
- Open a bank account in the corporation's name.
- Obtain all necessary licenses from the state, city, and county.
Articles of Incorporation for Florida Nonprofit Organizations
A nonprofit's articles of incorporation should contain several key pieces of information, including the organization's:
- Statement of purpose describing what the corporation intends to accomplish
- Names and addresses of the corporation's directors
- Legal address of the corporation
- Name and address of the corporation's registered agent
By completing the articles of incorporation and registering with the IRS as a nonprofit, you can reduce your organization's tax burden. You could also qualify for grants and other forms of financial assistance that for-profit companies cannot access. By utilizing incorporate.com's comprehensive services, you may be able to learn about your eligibility for certain benefits that you may have otherwise missed by filing on your own.
Forming an LLC in Florida
When starting a Florida LLC, you are required to file the appropriate paper work and obtain any licenses and permits that you need to operate in your industry. When you follow the proper steps, you can take advantage of the benefits given to all LLCs in Florida.
Your Florida LLC operating agreement is recommended however it is not required. If a business has more than one member, the operating agreement will define each member's role.
Florida allows you to create an LLC by filing documents online. incorporate.com can take care of this for you, making the online process even easier by filing the Articles of Organization and the Cover Letter on your behalf using the information that you provide to us.
Getting Ready to Create a Florida LLC Online
You will have to choose a name that follows Florida LLC Filing requirements. The state of Florida requires that your company name end with "LLC" or "Limited Liability Company." Some words are restricted by the state. If you want to use words such as "bank," "lottery," or "trust company," then you need approval from the state.
Florida does not allow LLCs to use the word "partnership" in their names.
When creating an LLC, we will submit Florida LLC Articles of Organization on your behalf. The Articles includes several key pieces of information such as:
- The LLC's purpose
- The LLC's place of business
- A list of the organization's managers and members
- The Florida LLC registered agent
Florida LLC Taxes and Fees
Once you have completed the Florida LLC registration process, the specific Florida LLC fees and taxes that you pay to file an LLC will be included in the package price that you select. The state fees include a $100 Florida LLC filing fee and a $25 registered agent fee.
Other fees that the state of Florida charges for various reasons include:
- Certified copy of record - $30
- Change of registered agent - $25
- Reinstatement fee - $100
- Certificate of merger - $25
- Articles of correction - $25
In addition, you will have to pay $138.75 with your annual report. If you file your annual report late (after May 1st), then you can expect to pay an additional $400 on top of that fee. Florida LLC renewal can vary based on industry so check with regulatory organizations accordingly.
Get Florida Business Licenses
Before starting a business in the state of Florida, you will likely need to acquire a Florida business license with the proper agencies. Depending on the type of business that you start, you could find that you need a business license in Florida that comes from a state, city, or county agency. Popular industries in Florida include tourism, agriculture, and mining. Florida is the fourth most populated state in the country and it has numerous opportunities for entrepreneurs who obtain the appropriate State of Florida business licenses.
Hot to Get Started
Before you can start a new business, you will need to make sure that you meet the Florida business license requirements. Whether you plan to start earning money from rental properties, home-based enterprises, farming, or construction, you need to make sure you have the proper license.
Florida Business License Cost and Fees
If you are looking to attain a small business license in Florida, you may have a relatively small budget that doesn't leave much room for extra expenses. The typical Florida business license costs very little, so it shouldn't have a big impact on your projected budget. The specific costs depend on the kind of business that you want to create and what licenses you need for it. Generally, though, you should expect to spend less than $100 on your business license.
If you are unsure of the specific Florida business licenses and permits that you will need, then incorporate.com can help. We will compile the necessary licenses based on the information that you provide to us about your business.
Florida Business License Application & Documents
Your Florida business license application will require several documents. You can make the application process much easier by having those documents ready ahead of time. The specific documents that you need, of course, depend on the kind of license that you need to run your business. You can find most of the information needed when you download your application, or if you work with incorporate.com we will ensure you have all the documents you need.
In addition to your state application, you might need to fill out information for a city or county license. You will also need to obtain a tax identification number from the IRS.
These are all crucial documents that you need to operate your business legally in Florida.
After You Have Your Florida Business License
Once you have submitted your paperwork, paid all applicable fees, and received your business license, you are ready to start operating legally within the State of Florida. You should realize, however, that companies operating in some industries might need to renew their licenses on a regular basis.
Florida business license renewal differs greatly from industry to industry, so it is important to check with regulatory organizations to make sure you have a valid license at all times. In most cases, the expiration date is printed on your license, so you shouldn't have any difficulties knowing when you need to submit documents for an updated license. Remember, however, that it can take several weeks or months for the state and local government to process your application. Waiting until the last minute could disrupt your ability to operate your business.
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