Starting a Florida Limited Liability Company (LLC) is a great way to protect your personal assets while enjoying business flexibility. If you’re wondering what forms need to be filed to form a Florida LLC, this guide will walk you through the necessary paperwork and steps required to legally establish your LLC in Florida.
1. Articles of Organization (Form LLC-1)
The Articles of Organization is the primary legal document that officially registers your LLC with the Florida Division of Corporations (Sunbiz).
Key Information Required in the Articles of Organization:
LLC Name – Must include "Limited Liability Company," "LLC," or "L.L.C."
Principal Business Address – A physical address in Florida (no P.O. Boxes)
Mailing Address (If Different) – Where official documents should be sent
Registered Agent & Address – A person or company responsible for receiving legal documents
Management Structure – Member-managed or manager-managed
Effective Date of Formation – You can choose immediate formation or a future date (up to 90 days ahead)
Organizer’s Name & Signature – The person submitting the LLC filing
How to File Articles of Organization
Online Filing: File Online at Sunbiz
Download Paper Form: Download PDF
Filing Fee: $125 (includes $100 filing fee + $25 registered agent designation fee)
Processing Time:
Online: 1-5 business days
Mail-in: 2-4 weeks
2. Registered Agent Acceptance Form (Included in Articles of Organization)
Florida requires all LLCs to designate a Registered Agent, who must:
Have a physical Florida address
Be available during business hours to accept legal documents
Provide written acceptance within the Articles of Organization
If hiring a professional registered agent service, their details must be listed in this section.
3. Employer Identification Number (EIN) Application (IRS Form SS-4)
While not filed with the state of Florida, an Employer Identification Number (EIN) is required for tax purposes, hiring employees, and opening a business bank account.
How to Obtain an EIN:
Online: Apply for Free at IRS.gov
Processing Time: Immediate if done online
Cost: $0 (Free from the IRS)
4. Florida LLC Operating Agreement (Not Required but Recommended)
An Operating Agreement outlines the ownership and management structure of your LLC. Florida does not require LLCs to file this document, but it’s highly recommended for multi-member LLCs to define:
Ownership percentages
Member roles and responsibilities
Profit and loss distributions
Rules for adding or removing members
Where to Get an Operating Agreement Template:
Online legal services such as LegalZoom, IncFile, or Rocket Lawyer offer templates.
You can also create one with an attorney.
5. Florida Business Tax Registration (If Required)
Depending on your industry and location, you may need to register for state and local taxes.
Common Registrations Include:
Sales Tax Permit – If selling taxable goods or services
Reemployment Tax (Formerly Unemployment Tax) – If hiring employees
Local Business Licenses – Varies by county or city
Where to Register:
Florida Department of Revenue: https://floridarevenue.com/
6. Florida LLC Annual Report (To Maintain Active Status)
Every LLC in Florida must file an Annual Report to remain in good standing. This report updates the state with your LLC’s contact and ownership details.
Annual Report Details:
Due Date: Between January 1st and May 1st each year
Filing Fee: $138.75
Late Fee (If Filed After May 1st): $400
File Online: Sunbiz Annual Report Filing
Failure to file by September 4th will result in administrative dissolution of your LLC.
7. Watch Our Video on What Forms Need to Be Filed for a Florida LLC
To help you better understand the filing process, we’ve created a detailed video guide on What Forms Need to Be Filed to Form a Florida LLC. Watch it below for step-by-step instructions:
8. Need Help Filing Your Florida LLC?
Filing your Florida LLC paperwork correctly is crucial to ensuring your business is legally registered and compliant. If you’d rather let professionals handle the process, we can help! Our team at FloridaBusinessPlanWriter.com specializes in Florida LLC formations and business consulting services.
📞 Contact us today and let us take care of your LLC formation while you focus on growing your business!
Visit us at: FloridaBusinessPlanWriter.com
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