How to Form an LLC in Florida (2026 Guide)

Last verified: October 30, 2026, against the Florida Division of Corporations (Sunbiz), the Florida Department of Revenue and the Florida Statutes. Fees are re-checked against these official sources regularly and linked below. This guide is general information, not legal or tax advice.

In Florida, everything happens through Sunbiz, the Division of Corporations’ website. Forming an LLC costs $125, and Florida has no state income tax for most LLCs. The date to remember is May 1: that’s the annual report deadline, and missing it by even a day turns a $138.75 filing into a $400 late fee.

Florida LLC overview

Formation document	Articles of Organization
State fees to file	$125 ($100 filing + $25 registered agent designation)
Optional extras	Certified copy $30 · Certificate of status $5
Expedited service	Not offered (walk-in filing in Tallahassee is the fast option)
Annual report	$138.75, due between January 1 and May 1; $400 late fee after that
State LLC tax	None for most LLCs
Registered agent	Required, with a Florida street address
Newspaper publication	Not required
Where to file	Sunbiz e-filing

Step 1Settle on a name

Your name must end with limited liability company, L.L.C. or LLC. (A professional LLC uses Chartered, Professional Limited Liability Company, P.L.L.C. or PLLC.)

Florida looks closely at whether a name is truly different from ones already on file. A new name isn’t considered distinguishable if it differs only by:

the entity ending (LLC vs. Inc.),
a word like “the” or “a”, or “and” vs. “&”,
singular vs. plural or possessive forms, or
punctuation.

The name also can’t imply a connection to a state or federal agency. Search the records with the Sunbiz name search before you file.

Step 2Choose a registered agent

Florida requires every LLC to have a registered agent, and it charges a $25 fee to designate one when you file. The agent can be:

an individual who lives in Florida, or
a business entity authorized to do business in Florida.

The registered office has to be a Florida street address; the state specifically says not to list a P.O. box. Your LLC can’t serve as its own agent, but an owner or manager can. The agent must also sign a statement accepting the job, which is part of the Articles.

Step 3File the Articles of Organization on Sunbiz

File online through Sunbiz e-filing (choose “New Florida Limited Liability Company”) and pay with a credit or debit card, or mail the paper form with a check to the Florida Department of State. You’ll need:

the LLC’s name and principal office street address (a separate mailing address can be a P.O. box),
the registered agent’s name, Florida address and signed acceptance,
a valid email address for official notices, and
the signature of at least one authorized representative.

Listing managers or authorized representatives is optional. You can also choose an effective date up to 5 business days before or 90 days after the filing date.

Timing: Florida doesn’t offer paid expedited processing and doesn’t publish a standard turnaround; filings are handled in the order received. If you need it immediately, the Division can complete most walk-in filings while you wait at its Tallahassee office (2415 N. Monroe Street, Suite 810).

Step 4Put the annual report on your calendar now

Every Florida LLC files an annual report on Sunbiz between January 1 and May 1, starting the year after it’s formed. An LLC formed in 2026 files its first report in early 2027.

On time: $138.75
After May 1: a $400 late fee applies
Not filed by the third Friday in September: the state administratively dissolves the LLC

Only file through Sunbiz. Florida warns that private companies send official-looking letters offering to file your annual report for a much higher price. Sunbiz also now emails a confirmation to the address on file whenever a report is submitted, so you’ll know if someone else files for your company.

Step 5Wrap up the paperwork

Operating agreement: not filed with the state, but strongly recommended so ownership and decision-making are in writing.
EIN: get it free from the IRS.
Taxes and licenses: depending on your business, you may need to register with the Florida Department of Revenue for sales tax and get a local business tax receipt.

Florida LLC taxes

Florida has no personal income tax, and there’s no annual state LLC tax or franchise fee. For most LLCs, the annual report fee is the only recurring charge to the state.

The exception: an LLC that elects to be taxed as a corporation owes Florida’s corporate income tax (5.5% of Florida net income). An LLC taxed as a partnership files a Florida return only if one of its owners is a corporation. Sales tax and other taxes depend on what the business does.

How much a Florida LLC costs

Articles of Organization + registered agent designation	$125 (one time)
Certified copy and certificate of status (optional)	$30 and $5
Annual report	$138.75 per year, starting the year after formation
Late annual report	$400

Do-it-yourself or formation service?

Sunbiz is one of the easier state systems to use, and the state fees are the same either way. A formation service charges extra to file for you, can act as your registered agent (useful if you don’t want your address public) and will remind you before the May 1 deadline. Given how steep Florida’s late fee is, reliable reminders are worth having whichever route you choose.

New in 2026: series LLCs

Since July 1, 2026, a Florida LLC can create protected series: separate “cells” within one LLC, each with its own assets and liabilities. You can’t form a series LLC directly; an existing, active Florida LLC designates each series on Sunbiz for $25 per series. This is mainly useful for people holding several properties or business lines, and it’s worth discussing with a lawyer before using it.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to start an LLC in Florida?

$125 in state fees: $100 for the Articles plus $25 to designate a registered agent.

Can I pay to speed up my Florida LLC filing?

No. Florida doesn’t sell expedited service. Walk-in filing in Tallahassee is the fastest option.

What happens if I miss the May 1 annual report deadline?

The fee rises to $400. If the report still isn’t filed by the third Friday in September, the LLC is administratively dissolved.

Does Florida charge an annual LLC tax?

No. Most Florida LLCs pay only the annual report fee.