Florida LLC Cost

How do I form my LLC in Florida?

1. Name Your LLC

Here comes the fun part: naming your LLC! Here are a few things to consider when doing this. 

Business Name Rules in Florida

There are a few things you’ll need to keep in mind when naming your LLC:

• The name cannot already be used by another business.
• The name must meet the state’s requirements. For example, it cannot imply that it is a government entity or connected with one.
• The name cannot contain restricted words or language. 

If you’ve come up with a few candidates for a name, we can help you choose one. 

Florida Business Name Checker

Run your name through our business name checker to make sure it’s available. If you find the one you want and would like to reserve it while you get your business set up, we can also help with that.

2. Choose a Registered Agent

All formal businesses in Florida are legally required to have a registered agent. 

What is a Registered Agent? 

A registered agent is your business’s point of contact and must be available during normal business hours. Their main responsibility is to accept legal notices, like lawsuits. The registered agent must be an individual who resides in Florida and whose business address matches the address of the registered office. 

Registered Agent Options

In Florida, you can be your own registered agent but this might not be a good choice since legal notices will be delivered in person to your place of business. With a registered agent, notices will be delivered to their address. 

Hire a Registered Agent

A registered agent guarantees availability at their given address in order to handle any requirements on your behalf. Although registered agents require a fee for their services, it’s something you should consider as a business owner. 

3. File Your Articles of Organization

Before you’re legally allowed to do business in Florida as an LLC, you’ll need to file your Articles of Organization. You’ll need to file with the Florida Department of State’s Division of Corporation either online or by mail for a fee of $100. 

File Your LLC Today

If you’re ready to get started on filing to make your LLC a legitimate business in Florida, then the Florida Department of State’s Division of Corporations has a webpage dedicated to letting you know what you’ll need to do and which forms you’ll need to file.

4. Create an Operating Agreement

We highly suggest that you draft an operating agreement for your Florida LLC. Florida doesn’t require LLCs to have operating agreements, but it’s best to draft one anyway since these documents have some benefits.

Operating Agreement Benefits

Here’s what an operating agreement can do, among other things:

• Provides protection for your LLC’s liability status
• Allows you to open a business bank account
• Clarifies verbal agreements between the LLC’s members
• Avoids disputes about ownership, contributions, duties, and changes to the LLC

Do what’s right for your business and your partners by having us help you get an operating agreement in Florida. 

5. Get an EIN

Along with an operating agreement, you should also consider getting an Employer Identification Number (EIN). An EIN registers your LLC with the federal government and can prove to be useful for tax purposes. 

EINs are also known as Federal Tax IDs and can help you secure a business bank account, which is a great option to have when separating your business’s income from your own. 

We offer a fast EIN service, but if you’d prefer, you can get one from the IRS as well. 

Check Florida Annual Requirements

Now that you’ve done the hard part, it’s time to do business! However, there are a few things you’ll need to take care of before finally running your LLC. 

Annual Franchise Tax

Many businesses in the U.S. are required to pay a franchise tax. In Florida, a franchise tax is filed with Florida Form-1120. Be sure to take note of this when tax season arrives. 

Avoid Fees

You can avoid costly fees, like filing your annual report late (a $400 fee as we mentioned earlier), by using our Annual Report Service. You’ll get important notifications and help with filing your annual report. 

Stay Legally Compliant

You’ll inevitably have to make changes to your business over time as it grows. Other things like getting a new registered agent or opening or relocating will need to be documented for legal reasons. 

LLC Amendments 

Any change with your LLC’s structure or how it does business will need an amendment. Learn more about Florida LLC amendments. 

Stay Compliant

Staying compliant is critical for your business’s success, so check out our Worry-Free Compliance Service that offers two amendments per year so you remain compliant with Florida’s laws. 

We Can Help!

Starting a business can seem like a really daunting task when going at it alone. Fortunately, you don’t have to! We’re here to help with our large variety of business formation services. Many of our services can also help you run and grow your LLC in Florida, so get started today!