Your Florida LLC & Corporation Questions — Answered

To form a Florida LLC, you file Articles of Organization with the Florida Division of Corporations, choose a registered agent with a Florida address, and pay the $125 state filing fee. NoFeeInc handles the entire process for you — you pay only the state fee, no service charge.

Online filings through the Florida Division of Corporations are typically processed within 1–3 business days. NoFeeInc submits your documents electronically for the fastest turnaround available.

The Florida state filing fee for an LLC is $125.00. This is a government fee paid directly to the Florida Division of Corporations and is required regardless of which formation service you use.

Yes. Florida accepts LLC filings online through Sunbiz.org or through authorized formation services like NoFeeInc. Online filing is faster and confirms your formation status immediately.

A sole proprietorship offers no liability protection — your personal assets are at risk if your business faces lawsuits or debts. An LLC (Limited Liability Company) creates a separate legal entity that shields your personal assets from business liabilities, while still offering the tax simplicity of a sole proprietorship. It's one of the best protections an entrepreneur can get for $125.

No. Florida does not require an attorney to form an LLC. Many business owners handle it themselves or use a formation service like NoFeeInc. That said, consulting an attorney is advisable for complex ownership structures or operating agreements.

Yes. Florida allows single-member LLCs. You can be the sole owner and manager of your LLC. Single-member LLCs are taxed as a disregarded entity by default, meaning income flows straight to your personal tax return with no double taxation.

To form a Florida Corporation, you file Articles of Incorporation with the Florida Division of Corporations, appoint a registered agent, and pay the $70 state filing fee. NoFeeInc can handle the full filing process for you at no service charge.

The Florida state filing fee for a Corporation is $70.00 for Articles of Incorporation. Additional fees may apply for a Designation of Registered Agent ($35). NoFeeInc passes these fees through at cost with no markup.

Both LLCs and corporations provide limited liability protection. LLCs are more flexible in management and taxation, with less ongoing formality. Corporations have a more structured governance (board of directors, shareholders, annual meetings) and are often preferred by investors and venture capital firms.

A corporation is typically the better choice if you plan to raise venture capital, issue stock options to employees, or eventually take the company public. Most small businesses and freelancers are better served by an LLC due to its simplicity and tax flexibility.

You can search for available business names for free on Sunbiz.org, the official Florida Division of Corporations website. NoFeeInc also offers a name availability check tool right on our site before you start your filing.

Your Florida LLC name must include "Limited Liability Company," "LLC," or "L.L.C." It must be distinguishable from other registered entities in Florida and cannot include words that imply government affiliation (e.g., FBI, Treasury) or require special licensing (e.g., "Bank," "Insurance").

Yes. You can use your personal name as part of your LLC name (e.g., "Jane Smith LLC"), as long as the full name is available and meets Florida naming rules. Many sole proprietors choose this approach for its simplicity.

A DBA (also called a fictitious name in Florida) lets your business operate under a name other than its legal name. For example, "Smith Consulting LLC" might do business as "Smith Digital." DBAs must be registered separately with the Florida Division of Corporations for a $50 state fee.

A registered agent is a person or business entity designated to receive official legal documents, tax notices, and service of process on behalf of your LLC or corporation. Florida law requires every LLC and corporation to maintain a registered agent with a physical Florida address at all times.

A Florida registered agent can be an individual resident of Florida (including yourself) or a business entity authorized to conduct business in Florida. The agent must have a physical street address — P.O. boxes are not accepted.

Yes, you can serve as your own registered agent if you have a physical Florida address and are available during normal business hours to receive documents. However, using a professional service keeps your personal address off public records and ensures you never miss a critical legal notice.

Failing to maintain a registered agent in Florida can result in your LLC or corporation being administratively dissolved by the state. This means your business loses its legal standing, and you could be personally liable for business debts. It's one of the most important ongoing compliance requirements.

Professional registered agent services in Florida typically range from $49 to $300 per year. NoFeeInc provides registered agent service for $75/year — one of the lowest rates from a licensed, professional service.

The Florida annual report is a mandatory filing that updates or confirms your business information (officers, registered agent, principal address) with the state each year. It keeps your entity in good standing. Note: despite the name, it doesn't include financial statements — it's more of an annual check-in.

Florida annual reports must be filed between January 1 and May 1 each year. Filing after May 1 incurs a $400 late penalty on top of the regular filing fee. NoFeeInc can file your annual report for a flat $75 service fee plus the state fee.

If your annual report is not filed by May 1st, Florida charges a $400 late penalty on top of the regular filing fee. The state filing fee for LLC annual reports is $138.75, making the total $538.75 if you're late — more than the cost of forming the LLC in the first place.

If you don't file your Florida annual report by the third Friday in September, the state will administratively dissolve your LLC or corporation. Reinstatement requires filing all missing reports and paying additional reinstatement fees. It's far cheaper and easier to file on time.

An EIN (Employer Identification Number) is required if your LLC has employees, has more than one member, or elects corporate tax treatment. Even if none of these apply, most banks require an EIN to open a business bank account — so it's strongly recommended for all LLCs.

You can apply for an EIN for free directly on the IRS website (irs.gov). The online application takes about 10 minutes and you receive your EIN immediately. There is absolutely no need to pay a third party — getting an EIN is always free from the IRS.

By default, a single-member LLC is taxed as a sole proprietorship (Schedule C), and a multi-member LLC is taxed as a partnership. Florida has no state income tax on individuals, which is a significant advantage. You can also elect S-Corp or C-Corp taxation if it benefits your situation.

An S-Corp election (IRS Form 2553) changes how your LLC is taxed, allowing you to split income between salary and distributions — potentially saving thousands in self-employment tax per year. It typically makes sense once net profit exceeds $40,000–$50,000 annually. Consult a CPA to evaluate your specific situation.

A BOIR (Beneficial Ownership Information Report) is a federal filing required under the Corporate Transparency Act, submitted to FinCEN. Most LLCs and corporations must file, reporting information about beneficial owners — people who own 25%+ or exercise substantial control over the company.

New LLCs and corporations formed in 2024 or later generally have 90 calendar days from formation to file their initial BOIR with FinCEN. Deadlines and requirements can change — always verify current rules at fincen.gov or consult an attorney.

Willful failure to file a BOIR can result in civil penalties of up to $591 per day (inflation-adjusted) and criminal penalties of up to $10,000 and/or 2 years in prison. BOIR compliance is serious and should not be overlooked.

NoFeeInc's formation service is free because we earn revenue from optional services like registered agent ($75/yr) and annual report filing ($75/yr). We believe you shouldn't have to pay $100–$300 just to have someone submit a form — the state fee is unavoidable, our fee isn't.

Your NoFeeInc formation includes: preparation and electronic filing of your Articles of Organization with the Florida Division of Corporations, registered agent service, and access to your formation documents in your online dashboard. You pay the $125 state filing fee plus $75 for registered agent service — that's it.

NoFeeInc serves as your Florida registered agent, maintaining a physical address in Florida to receive legal documents on your behalf. When we receive service of process or official state notices, we scan and forward them to you via email and your online dashboard. The service renews annually for $75.

No. NoFeeInc is a business formation and registered agent service, not a law firm. We do not provide legal advice, and no attorney-client relationship is created by using our services. For legal questions specific to your situation, please consult a licensed Florida attorney.