Florida LLC in United States
LLC · Formation from $125
Last verified: June 10, 2026
Corporate Tax
21.0%
State Tax
0.0%
Formation Cost
$125
Annual Fee
$139
Comparison Scores
Privacy, remote setup, banking, and tax efficiency
Calculate full formation cost
Break down one-time filing fees and recurring costs for any supported entity type.
Who Should Choose This?
Profiles that typically benefit from this entity
- E-commerce and dropshipping entrepreneurs looking for a recognized US entity.
- Real estate investors purchasing property in Florida.
- Non-US residents wanting a US business bank account and access to US payment gateways like Stripe.
- Consultants and service providers seeking a tax-efficient pass-through entity in a state with no personal income tax.
Who Should Avoid This?
Scenarios where another structure may be better
- Founders seeking absolute privacy and anonymity (should consider Wyoming or Delaware).
- High-growth tech startups planning to raise venture capital (should form a Delaware C-Corp).
- Single-member LLC owners highly concerned about personal creditor asset protection (due to the Olmstead ruling).
Advantages
- +No state personal income tax, making it highly tax-efficient for pass-through LLCs.
- +Strong asset protection laws, particularly for multi-member LLCs with charging order protection.
- +Fast and fully online formation process via the official Sunbiz portal.
- +Prestigious and globally recognized jurisdiction for e-commerce, real estate, and international trade.
- +Low initial state filing fee ($125) compared to states like Texas or Massachusetts.
Disadvantages
- -Less privacy compared to Wyoming or Delaware; member/manager names and addresses are publicly searchable on Sunbiz.
- -Single-member LLCs have weaker asset protection against personal creditors due to the Olmstead ruling.
- -The annual report fee ($138.75) is higher than in some other popular states like Wyoming.
- -A strict, non-waivable $400 late fee applies if the annual report is not filed by May 1st.
Formation Steps
Choose a unique business name that includes 'LLC' or 'Limited Liability Company' and verify availability on Sunbiz.
Appoint a Registered Agent with a physical street address in Florida to receive legal documents.
File the Articles of Organization online with the Florida Division of Corporations and pay the $125 state fee.
Apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) for free from the IRS for tax and banking purposes.
Create a comprehensive Operating Agreement to outline the ownership structure and operating rules.
Open a US business bank account using your EIN and formation documents.
Obtain any required local business licenses or permits depending on your city or county in Florida.
Cost Breakdown
Detailed breakdown of formation and ongoing costs
| Item | Type | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| State filing fee (Articles of Organization) | One-time | $125 |
| Registered Agent fee | Annual | $49 |
| Virtual Business Address | Annual | $100 |
| EIN Application (DIY) | One-time | $0 |
| Florida Annual Report Fee (Starts Year 2) | Annual | $139 |
| First year total | $274 | |
| Annual ongoing | $288 | |
Real-World Examples
Typical use cases for this entity type
- A non-US resident e-commerce founder forms a Florida LLC to access Stripe and Shopify Payments, operating entirely remotely.
- A group of real estate investors creates a multi-member Florida LLC to purchase and manage short-term rental properties in Miami, benefiting from charging order protection.
- A freelance software developer sets up a Florida LLC to bill international clients, taking advantage of the state's zero personal income tax on pass-through earnings.
Common Mistakes
Pitfalls to avoid during setup and operations
- Missing the May 1st annual report deadline and getting hit with the mandatory $400 late fee.
- Using a home address on Sunbiz filings instead of a registered agent or virtual office address, sacrificing privacy.
- Failing to open a dedicated business bank account, leading to commingled funds and 'piercing the corporate veil'.
- Not creating a formal Operating Agreement, especially for multi-member LLCs, leading to internal disputes.
- Forgetting to file Form 5472 and Form 1120 with the IRS for foreign-owned single-member LLCs.
Other entity types
Other formation options in United States
Compare with Other Countries
| Country / Type | Tax | Formation | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🇺🇸 Florida LLC(LLC) | 21.0% | $125 | $139 |
FAQ
Do I need to be a US resident to form a Florida LLC?
No, non-US residents and foreign citizens can form and own a Florida LLC without living in the US.
How much does it cost to maintain a Florida LLC annually?
Florida requires an annual report to be filed by May 1st each year, which costs $138.75.
Does Florida have a state income tax for LLCs?
Florida does not have a state personal income tax. By default, LLC profits pass through to the owners, meaning no state income tax is paid at the entity level.
Can I keep my identity private with a Florida LLC?
No, Florida requires the names and addresses of the LLC's managers or authorized members to be listed on the public Sunbiz registry.
What happens if I miss the May 1st annual report deadline?
The state imposes a strict, non-waivable $400 late fee for annual reports filed after May 1st, and your LLC risks administrative dissolution if unpaid by September.
Do I need a physical address in Florida?
Your LLC must have a Registered Agent with a physical address in Florida, but your principal business address can be anywhere in the world.
How long does it take to form a Florida LLC?
Online filings via Sunbiz are typically processed within 1 to 5 business days.
Is an Operating Agreement required in Florida?
While not legally required to be filed with the state, having a written Operating Agreement is highly recommended to protect your limited liability status and outline business rules.
Detailed Tax Rates
Corporate Income Tax
| From | To | Rate |
|---|
By default, a Florida LLC is a pass-through entity and does not pay corporate income tax. If it elects to be taxed as a C-Corporation, it is subject to a flat 21% federal corporate tax rate and a 5.5% Florida state corporate income tax on net income over $50,000.
Personal Income Tax (Top rate: 37.0%)
| From | To | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | $12,400 | 10.0% |
| $12,401 | $50,400 | 12.0% |
| $50,401 | $105,700 | 22.0% |
| $105,701 | $201,775 | 24.0% |
| $201,776 | $256,225 | 32.0% |
| $256,226 | $640,600 | 35.0% |
| $640,601 | No limit | 37.0% |
Florida has no state personal income tax. LLC profits pass through to the owners, who report them on their federal personal income tax returns at progressive rates up to 37%.
Capital Gains Tax
20.0%
Florida does not levy a state capital gains tax. Federal long-term capital gains are taxed at 0%, 15%, or 20% depending on income, plus a potential 3.8% Net Investment Income Tax.
VAT / GST
6.0%
Registration Threshold: USD100,000
Florida does not generally tax SaaS or digital downloads, but physical software and certain digital services may be taxable. Remote sellers must collect sales tax if they exceed $100,000 in annual sales to Florida customers.
Withholding Tax
The US imposes a 30% federal withholding tax on FDAP income (dividends, royalties, interest) paid to non-residents. This rate can be significantly reduced or eliminated under an applicable tax treaty.
Payroll & Social Security
Employers and employees each pay 7.65% for FICA (6.2% for Social Security up to the annual wage base, and 1.45% for Medicare). Florida also levies a Reemployment Tax on employers, starting at 2.7% for new employers.
Other Taxes
Florida Documentary Stamp Tax
An excise tax levied on documents that transfer interest in Florida real property, such as deeds and mortgages. The rate is generally $0.70 per $100 of consideration.
Florida Tangible Personal Property Tax
An ad valorem tax assessed on equipment, furniture, and machinery used in a business. Businesses must file an annual return, though the first $25,000 of assessed value is exempt.
Formation Requirements
Minimum Capital
No requirement
No minimum capital requirement.
Local Director
Not Required
No local manager or director required. Can be managed by foreign members.
Registered Office
Required
Virtual office allowed. $35 - $300 per year for a registered agent.
Notarization Required
No
Power of Attorney (Remote)
Not Required
Can be formed entirely online without a Power of Attorney.
Timeline
Standard: 1-5 business days days
Required Documents
Compliance & Reporting
Annual Filings
Audit Requirement
Not Required
No statutory audit requirement for small LLCs.
Accounting Standard
US GAAP
Tax Return Deadline
March 15 (Multi-member) or April 15 (Single-member)
VAT Filing Frequency
N/A
Data Protection
Florida Information Protection Act (FIPA)
Banking & Payments
Mercury
Remote-friendlyHighly popular among tech startups and non-resident founders. Allows fully remote account opening with an EIN.
Relay
Remote-friendlyExcellent for multiple accounts, team cards, and accounting integrations. Non-resident friendly.
Wise Business
Remote-friendlyIdeal for multi-currency holding and low-cost international wire transfers.
Chase Business
Top traditional US bank, but typically requires an in-person branch visit to open an account.
Payment Gateways
Stripe, PayPal, Square, Paddle, Braintree
Currency
USD
Multi-Currency: Supported
Account Opening
For non-resident founders, opening a traditional US bank account (like Chase or Bank of America) usually requires an in-person visit. However, fintech platforms like Mercury and Relay allow fully remote account opening once the LLC has an EIN. The process is generally straightforward and takes a few days to a couple of weeks depending on compliance checks.
Practical Information
Timezone
UTC-5 to UTC-6
Business Language
English
Legal System
Common law
Ease of Doing Business
#6
IP Protection
Strong intellectual property protection enforced at the federal level through the USPTO (patents and trademarks) and US Copyright Office.
Double Tax Treaties
66 countries
Notable treaties: United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, Japan, Australia, France
Visa & Residency Options
E-2 Treaty Investor Visa
Allows entrepreneurs from treaty countries to enter and work in the US based on a substantial investment in a US business.
L-1A Intracompany Transferee
Enables a foreign company to transfer an executive or manager to its affiliated US office, such as a newly formed Florida LLC.
EB-5 Immigrant Investor
Provides a path to a green card through a minimum investment of $800,000 in a targeted employment area that creates at least 10 US jobs.
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Changelog
Data updates and changes on this page
Verified 2026 Florida LLC formation fees ($125), annual report fees ($138.75), and late penalties ($400). Updated pros, cons, and cost breakdown.
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