How Much Does an LLC Cost in Florida? (What Fees To Expect)
Forming an LLC in Florida costs $125, paid to the Florida Division of Corporations. That fee bundles two required pieces: the Articles of Organization filing and a registered agent designation.
After that, Florida LLCs owe a $138.75 annual report fee every year, due by May 1. Miss the deadline and the state adds a flat $400 late fee. There's no waiver available. The full breakdown below moves from the formation fee through the recurring and optional costs that follow.
Quick Summary
- Your registered agent designation is already bundled into the base filing fee. There's nothing extra to pay just to name one at formation.
- File your annual report well before May 1. Florida's late fee is steep, and the state won't waive it for any reason.
- Skip the newspaper notice some guides mention for a Florida DBA. Current state instructions don't require one.
| Cost Item | Amount | Frequency | Required? |
|---|---|---|---|
| LLC Formation Filing Fee | $100 + $25 RA designation = $125 | One-time | Mandatory |
| Fictitious Name (DBA) | $50 | One-time (renews every 5 years) | Optional |
| Annual Report Fee | $138.75 (plus $400 if filed after May 1) | Every year, due May 1 | Mandatory |
| Registered agent service | $0 (self) or $80 to $300 | Every year | Optional |
| Business licenses and permits | $50 to $200 depending on industry | Varies | If applicable |
| Operating agreement | $0 (template) to $1,000+ (attorney) | One-time | Optional |
| Certificate of Status | $5 | As needed | Optional |
| Certified copies | $30 per copy | As needed | Optional |
| EIN from the IRS | $0 (free at IRS.gov) | One-time | Recommended |
One-Time Formation Costs in Florida
These are the fees you pay once, when the LLC comes into existence. There's also an optional filing some founders handle at the same time. It's a similar lineup to LLC costs in every other state. Florida just has its own numbers attached.
1. LLC Formation Filing Fee ($125 - Required)
The Articles of Organization is the document that legally creates your Florida LLC. You file it with the Florida Division of Corporations. It costs $100. A required $25 registered agent designation fee comes with it, for a combined $125 [1].
You can file online, by mail, or in person at the Division's Tallahassee office. Documents get processed in the order they're received, rather than on a promised turnaround. Budget a little flex time around your target start date. The full walkthrough lives in how to start an LLC in Florida.
2. Fictitious Name (DBA) ($50 - Optional)
Registering a fictitious name lets your LLC run under a different public brand. That brand can differ from the name on its formation paperwork. It costs $50, filed online or by mail through the Division rather than the county [2].
Some older guides mention a newspaper publication step for Florida DBAs. That requirement isn't part of the current process, so you won't need to budget for it. A Florida fictitious name stays valid for five years, expiring on December 31 of the final year. Renewing it also costs $50.
Ongoing Costs After You Form Your LLC
Once your LLC is formed, a handful of recurring costs follow. Here's the one that applies no matter what, first.
1. Annual Report Fee ($138.75 - Required)
Every Florida LLC must file an annual report to keep its active status. That's true even in a year with no business activity. The report must be filed online, between January 1 and May 1. It costs $138.75.
File after May 1 and Florida adds a flat $400 late fee on top. There's no provision to waive it. That penalty alone is reason enough to file early rather than wait for the deadline.
2. Registered Agent Service ($80 to $300 Annually - Optional)
Every Florida LLC needs a registered agent. That's a person or business designated to receive legal papers on the company's behalf. You can serve as your own agent, or appoint a qualified LLC member. Either way, there's no extra cost. It's already folded into your filing fee.
Hiring a registered agent service in Florida instead usually runs $80 to $300 a year. The trade-off is privacy and one less deadline to track. A paid agent forwards documents and often reminds you when filings are due.
3. Business Licenses and Permits (Varies - If Applicable)
The cost of a Florida business license depends on your industry and municipality. Businesses in fields like accounting, law, or architecture need a license from Florida's Department of Business and Professional Regulation. Fees usually run $50 to $200, based on the license type. Check with your city or county clerk too, since these rules vary by where you operate.
4. Taxes (Depending on Structure - Required if Applicable)
Florida has no state individual income tax. A default pass-through LLC owes nothing at the state level on its members' share of profit. Electing corporate tax treatment instead means Florida taxes that income at a flat 5.5% [3]. Selling taxable goods or services means collecting Florida's 6% state sales tax, too.
Optional Costs Worth Knowing About
A few more costs come up only in specific situations. Last on the list is the one that should never cost you anything.
1. Operating Agreement ($0 Template / $100 to $1,000+ Attorney)
Florida doesn't require an LLC to file an operating agreement with the state. Skipping one leaves things unsettled if a dispute ever comes up. That means ownership shares, management structure, and exit terms. It's the internal document that spells out how the LLC actually runs.
Drafting one yourself with a free template costs nothing. Hiring a lawyer to draft a custom agreement runs $100 to $1,000 or more. The final price depends on how much detail it needs. That expense is worth it once the LLC has multiple owners.
2. Certificate of Status ($5 - Optional)
A Certificate of Status confirms your LLC exists and is paid up through a certain date. It costs $5. You can request it online, by mail, or in person.
Lenders, investors, and other states' filing offices often ask for one before doing business with you. That comes up most when you're growing into other states, or opening a business bank account.
3. Certified Copies ($30 - Optional)
A certified copy of your formation paperwork is a file-stamped duplicate. It verifies your filing matches the Division's records. It costs $30 per copy. That's useful when a bank or another state's filing office wants proof straight from Florida.
4. EIN ($0 - Optional, but Recommended)
An Employer Identification Number is what banks, payroll providers, and the IRS use to identify your business. You'll need one to open a business bank account, hire employees, or apply for a loan. The IRS issues it online. There's no cost [4].
Paying a formation service to file this on your behalf just adds cost. You can do the step yourself in about ten minutes.
FAQs
How Much Does It Cost to Renew a Florida LLC?
Renewing a Florida LLC costs $138.75 a year, the same as the annual report fee. That payment is what keeps the LLC in active status. There's no separate renewal charge on top of it.
Do I Need an EIN for a Single-Member Florida LLC?
No, a single-member Florida LLC with no employees isn't required to get an EIN. Most banks still ask for one before they'll open a business account. It's free from the IRS, so getting one anyway costs you nothing.
How Much Does It Cost to Open a Business Bank Account for a Florida LLC?
The cost varies by bank and account type. Expect an initial deposit requirement, possible monthly maintenance fees, and transaction fees. These differ from one bank to the next.
References:
- https://dos.fl.gov/sunbiz/start-business/efile/fl-llc/instructions/
- https://dos.fl.gov/sunbiz/start-business/efile/fl-fictitious-name-registration/instructions/
- https://floridarevenue.com/taxes/taxesfees/Pages/corporate.aspx
- https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/apply-for-an-employer-identification-number-ein-online
