To register a business in Florida, file your LLC's Articles of Organization on the state's official Sunbiz website (dos.myflorida.com/sunbiz) for $125, appoint a registered agent with a Florida street address, and get a free EIN from the IRS. Florida has no state income tax and no general state business license — but you'll still likely need a local Business Tax Receipt from your county or city, plus a sales-tax registration if you sell taxable goods or services. Most LLC filings are approved online within 2–5 business days.

Below is the literal click-path, the full cost picture, and the Florida deadline that costs $400 if you miss it.

The 6 steps to register a business in Florida

Here's the full sequence. The first three are state-level; the last three are what most guides gloss over.

  1. Choose your entity (LLC for most solo founders and small teams).
  2. Search and reserve your name on Sunbiz.
  3. File Articles of Organization on Sunbiz ($125) and name a registered agent.
  4. Get an EIN from the IRS (free).
  5. Register for Florida sales tax if you sell taxable goods/services.
  6. Get your local Business Tax Receipt from your county and/or city.

Florida is one of the easiest states to register in, partly because there's no personal state income tax and no general business license to chase. If you're comparing states, our breakdowns of how to start a business in Texas and how to start a small business in California show how much friendlier Florida is on both taxes and paperwork.

Step 1: Pick your business structure

For most readers, the choice comes down to:

  • LLC — the default for solo founders, freelancers, real-estate investors, and small teams. Liability protection, pass-through taxation, minimal upkeep. Florida filing fee: $125.
  • Corporation (Inc.) — choose this if you plan to raise venture capital or issue stock. Filing fee: $70 (plus bylaws, a board, and more formalities).
  • Sole proprietorship — no state filing required, but no liability protection either. You'd only register a fictitious name (DBA) if operating under a name other than your own.

This guide focuses on the LLC, since that's what most Florida searchers are forming.

Step 2: Search and choose your business name

Go to the Sunbiz name search and confirm your desired name isn't already taken. Florida requires your name to:

  • Be distinguishable from existing Florida entities.
  • Include a designator: LLC, L.L.C., or Limited Liability Company.
  • Avoid restricted words (like "Bank" or "Insurance") without approval.

Florida does not offer a separate paid name reservation for LLCs — you simply secure the name when you file. If you want a matching website and brand, check domain and social handle availability before you commit.

Step 3: File your Articles of Organization on Sunbiz

This is the actual registration. Go to dos.myflorida.com/sunbiz, choose "Start a Business," and file your Articles of Organization online. You'll enter:

  • Your LLC name.
  • The principal place of business address.
  • Your registered agent's name and Florida street address (no P.O. boxes).
  • The names/addresses of managers or members.
  • An optional effective date (useful if you want a January 1 start to avoid a stub-year tax filing).

Cost: $125 total ($100 filing fee + $25 registered agent designation). Pay by credit card. You'll get a confirmation email, and approval typically lands in 2–5 business days when filed online (paper filings take longer).

What is a registered agent, and do you need one? Yes — Florida law requires every LLC to maintain a registered agent: a person or company with a physical Florida address available during business hours to receive legal documents and state mail. You can be your own agent if you have a Florida street address, or hire a commercial service for $50–$150/year (worth it for privacy or if you lack a stable Florida address).

Step 4: Get your EIN from the IRS (free)

An EIN (Employer Identification Number) is your business's federal tax ID. You'll need it to open a business bank account, hire employees, and file taxes. Apply directly and for free at IRS.gov — never pay a third party for this.

If you have an SSN or ITIN, the online application takes about 10 minutes and issues your EIN instantly. (Non-residents without an SSN have a different path — see the FAQ below.)

Step 5: Register for Florida sales and use tax

Florida has no state income tax, but it does have a 6% state sales tax (plus local surtaxes of up to ~2%). You must register with the Florida Department of Revenue if you:

  • Sell or rent tangible goods.
  • Provide certain taxable services.
  • Rent commercial or short-term residential property.

Register free at floridarevenue.com to get a sales tax certificate (Form DR-1). If you're a pure service business with no taxable sales — say, consulting or freelance writing — you likely don't need this. When in doubt, check the Department of Revenue's taxable-activities list.

Step 6: Get your local Business Tax Receipt (the part most guides skip)

This is the single biggest "gotcha" for Florida founders. Florida has no general state business license, which sounds great — but most counties and many cities still require a local Business Tax Receipt (formerly called an "Occupational License") to legally operate.

  • You typically need one from your county, and sometimes a second from your city if your business is inside city limits.
  • Cost varies — commonly $25 to $150+, depending on county and business type.
  • Apply through your county tax collector's office (search "[your county] business tax receipt").
  • Regulated professions (contractors, salons, restaurants, real estate) also need a license from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) — separate fees apply.

Operating without a required receipt can mean penalties and back taxes, so don't skip this just because there's no "state license."

What it really costs to register a business in Florida

The headline number is $125, but here's the realistic budget for a typical single-member LLC:

Item Cost Required?
Articles of Organization (Sunbiz) $125 one-time Yes
Registered agent service $0 (self) or $50–$150/yr Yes (the role, not the service)
EIN from IRS $0 Yes, for most businesses
Florida sales tax registration $0 Only if selling taxable goods/services
Local Business Tax Receipt ~$25–$150/yr Usually yes (county/city)
DBPR professional license Varies by industry Only for regulated trades
Annual Report (every year by May 1) $138.75/yr Yes — every year

Realistic first-year total: roughly $150 to $400+ depending on whether you self-serve as your own agent and which local receipts apply. For a step-by-step overview that applies to any state, see our general guide on how to register a business.

The deadline that costs $400: Florida's Annual Report

Every Florida LLC and corporation must file an Annual Report each year to stay active. This trips up more new founders than anything else:

  • Due date: Between January 1 and May 1.
  • Fee: $138.75 for LLCs (filed at Sunbiz).
  • Miss May 1: A flat $400 late fee is added — non-negotiable, no grace period.
  • Keep ignoring it: Florida will administratively dissolve your LLC, stripping your liability protection.

Set a recurring calendar reminder for February every year. The report itself takes five minutes — it's just confirming your address, agent, and members. It is not a tax return; you file it even if you made $0.

Quick win: Want timely reminders and plain-English founder guides like this one? Subscribe to our newsletter and we'll keep you on top of the deadlines that cost money.

Printable Florida launch checklist

Copy this into your notes app and check off as you go:

FLORIDA BUSINESS LAUNCH CHECKLIST
[ ] Decide entity type (LLC for most)
[ ] Search name at search.sunbiz.org
[ ] Confirm matching domain/socials are free
[ ] Choose registered agent (self or service)
[ ] File Articles of Organization at sunbiz.org ($125)
[ ] Receive approval email (2–5 business days)
[ ] Get free EIN at IRS.gov
[ ] Open a business bank account (bring EIN + Articles)
[ ] Register for FL sales tax at floridarevenue.com (if selling goods)
[ ] Apply for county Business Tax Receipt
[ ] Apply for city Business Tax Receipt (if inside city limits)
[ ] Check DBPR for industry license (if regulated)
[ ] Set Feb reminder for Annual Report ($138.75, due by May 1)
[ ] Get business insurance (general liability)

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a business license in Florida to operate an LLC?

Florida has no general state business license, so there's no single license to buy from the state. However, most counties and many cities require a local Business Tax Receipt to operate legally, and regulated industries (contractors, cosmetology, food service, real estate, and more) need a license from the DBPR. So in practice, most LLCs do need at least one local registration.

How much does it cost to register an LLC in Florida — total?

The state filing is $125 one-time. Realistically, budget $150–$400 for year one once you add a local Business Tax Receipt (~$25–$150), an optional registered agent service ($50–$150/yr), and remember the $138.75 Annual Report that's due every year after. The EIN and sales-tax registration are both free.

What happens if I miss the Florida Annual Report deadline on May 1?

A flat $400 late fee is added immediately — there's no grace period and the state won't waive it. If you continue to ignore the report, Florida will administratively dissolve your LLC, which can end your liability protection and the legal right to operate under that name. File between January 1 and May 1 every year to avoid it.

Can a non-US resident or foreigner own and register a Florida LLC?

Yes. You do not need to be a U.S. citizen or resident to own a Florida LLC, and you don't need to live in Florida. The main difference: without an SSN or ITIN, you can't use the instant online EIN tool. Instead, complete IRS Form SS-4 and submit it by fax or mail (fax is faster, often 1–2 weeks). You'll also want a Florida registered agent service, and expect U.S. business banking to require extra verification — some online banks are friendlier to foreign founders than traditional ones.

How long does it take Florida to approve a new LLC?

Online Sunbiz filings are usually approved within 2–5 business days. Paper filings mailed in can take 3–4 weeks. Florida doesn't offer official expedited LLC processing, so filing online is the fastest route. Your EIN can be obtained the same day you're approved if you have an SSN/ITIN.