Key Takeaways

  • The cost to form an LLC in Florida total typically begins at $125, covering the Articles of Organization filing fee and the registered agent designation.
  • Florida LLCs must file an annual report costing $138.75, due each year by May 1. Late filings incur a $400 penalty.
  • Optional expenses—like business licenses, operating agreements, or professional registered agent services—can increase total startup costs to $300–$600.
  • Foreign LLCs (those registered outside Florida) must also pay the $125 filing fee to qualify to operate in the state.
  • Maintaining an LLC in Florida involves annual compliance costs, potential local business taxes, and optional upgrades such as expedited processing.

How to Form an LLC in Florida

You may wonder about the cost of an LLC in Florida. First, formation of an LLC in Florida requires: 

  • $125 filing fee
  • Operating agreement 
  • Articles of Organization

An operating agreement will outline business' structure and covers aspects such as the owners' information and the terms of operation for your LLC. In Florida, LLCs can be either be managed by a manager or by its members. If your LLC is already registered in another state, you extend your business into the state of Florida and form a foreign LLC. Doing so allows you to operate out of multiple jurisdictions under the same LLC. 

Forming an LLC in Florida can take up to two weeks if filed on paper and up to two days if you file online. After you make sure your intended business name is available, immediately register your LLC to avoid unnecessary fees and processing delays. 

A physical address is required to complete the LLC application. You must also have a registered agent, a person (or a business) that is responsible for sending and accepting legal papers for your LLC. These could include state filings and paperwork as well as service of process papers, should your business be sued. A registered agent must be a resident of Florida or a registered corporation within Florida. Otherwise, you can choose to be your own registered agent, or a member of your LLC can act as the registered agent. 

Your application should include the names and contact information of each person who is eligible to manage the company. You can choose to fill in today's date (or the date of your choosing) as the effective date for your LLC. If this section is left blank, the effective date will default to the date when your filing is processed by the Division of Corporations. Lastly, you will be asked if there are any other provisions you request for your business. Generally, this section should be left blank. 

A printed signature is required from at least one member or authorized representative. Online filers can submit and pay for their application online and print out a copy for their records. Paper filers should submit a check along with the printed copy of their filing. Once the Divisions of Corporations receives the paper copy in the mail and processes it, they will send back a filed copy of the Articles of Organization. 

When the paper copy is returned by the Divisions of Corporations, the filing is considered complete and the LLC has been formed. The next step is to acquire a federal tax ID number and employer identification number (EIN) for the LLC. You can do both on the IRS' website, or you may submit an SS-4 form and receive these numbers by mail. Both numbers serve as identification for the LLC, and they allow the IRS to track income and expenses. 

Each year on May 1st, businesses must file annual reports with a fee of $138.75. Reports must be filed by this date no matter when you first formed the LLC in the year. For instance, if an LLC was formed on May 2, 2018, the members must submit their first report on May 1, 2019. Companies that miss the deadline are charged a $400 penalty. If you don't file the report by September 1st of the year the report is due, the LLC will automatically be dissolved. 

All LLCs must denote their entity structure within their name. For instance, "LLC", "L.L.C.", or the words "Limited Liability Company" must be included in the corporation's name. However, some words trigger additional scrutiny. Using "bank" or "attorney" in your business title, for example, will require extra paperwork. Other controlled phrases include those that could be confused with government agencies. Use of the words "treasury" or "FBI" in your title is a few examples. 

Once all of your paperwork has been filed, you'll receive a Certificate of Good Standing that proves your LLC is legally able to operate. This can be helpful when you need to get a loan, acquire funds from lenders or investors, register your LLC in a different state, or obtain additional licenses to legally operate your business. 

Understanding the Total Cost to Form an LLC in Florida

When determining the cost to form an LLC in Florida total, it’s important to look beyond the $125 filing fee. This base cost includes a $100 fee for filing the Articles of Organization and a $25 fee for designating a registered agent with the Florida Division of Corporations.

However, your total cost will depend on the specific services and filings your business requires. Here’s a breakdown of the main expenses you can expect:

  • State Filing Fee: $125 (Articles of Organization + Registered Agent designation)
  • Annual Report Fee: $138.75 (due May 1 each year)
  • Late Filing Penalty: $400 if filed after May 1
  • Certified Copy of Formation Documents (optional): $30
  • Certificate of Status (optional): $5
  • Registered Agent Service (optional): $50–$150 annually
  • Business License Fees: Vary by city or county (e.g., Miami-Dade or Orange County may charge $25–$100)
  • Operating Agreement (recommended): Free if self-drafted, or $50–$200 with professional help

While filing directly through the Sunbiz portal keeps costs minimal, hiring a business attorney or formation service can raise total startup costs to approximately $300–$600, depending on support level and additional services.

If your business is registered in another state but wishes to operate in Florida, you’ll need to form a foreign LLC by filing a registration form and paying the same $125 fee.

Ongoing Costs and Compliance Fees

Beyond the initial formation, maintaining a Florida LLC requires annual compliance with state filing deadlines. Every LLC must file an Annual Report each year to confirm its business information. The report is due by May 1 and costs $138.75. Failure to submit it by the deadline results in a $400 late fee, and if it’s still not filed by September 1, the LLC is administratively dissolved by the Division of Corporations.

In addition to the state-mandated annual report:

  • Registered Agent Renewal: If you use a third-party agent, renew annually (typically $50–$150).
  • Local Business Taxes: Some municipalities require business tax receipts, usually $25–$100 per year.
  • Franchise Tax: Unlike other states, Florida does not charge an annual franchise tax for LLCs.
  • Federal EIN: Free when obtained directly through the IRS.

To keep your LLC active, it’s crucial to mark annual filing dates and maintain accurate business records, including your operating agreement, tax documents, and EIN confirmation letter.

Optional and Hidden Costs to Consider

While Florida’s LLC formation costs are lower than many states, there are optional or hidden expenses that entrepreneurs often overlook:

  • Expedited Processing (if available): Though Florida’s online filings typically process within 1–2 business days, same-day service (through third-party providers) may cost extra.
  • Professional Formation Service Fees: Formation companies often charge between $50–$300, depending on the service level.
  • Legal Assistance: Hiring an attorney for customized formation documents or tax structure advice may cost between $200–$800.
  • Business Insurance: General liability or professional coverage varies widely, but budgeting $300–$500 annually is typical for small LLCs.
  • Real Estate or Industry-Specific Fees: If your LLC will hold property or operate in regulated sectors (like healthcare or construction), additional registration fees may apply.

Factoring in these costs gives a clearer picture of the total cost to form an LLC in Florida, helping business owners plan more accurately from the start.

How to Save Money When Forming a Florida LLC

You can reduce your overall expenses by strategically handling parts of the formation process yourself:

  1. File Directly Through Sunbiz: Avoid third-party or attorney service fees by submitting directly through the Florida Division of Corporations.
  2. Act as Your Own Registered Agent: As long as you maintain a Florida address and are available during business hours, you can save the $50–$150 annual agent fee.
  3. Create Your Own Operating Agreement: Templates and guidance are available for free from reputable legal resources.
  4. Meet All Deadlines: Filing the annual report on time prevents the $400 late penalty.
  5. Bundle Business Services: Some banks and accounting platforms offer discounted formation support or free registered agent service for the first year.

Staying organized, filing on time, and managing your own basic documentation can significantly reduce the total cost of forming and maintaining a Florida LLC.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What is the total cost to form an LLC in Florida?
    The total cost to form an LLC in Florida starts at $125 for state filing but may range between $300 and $600 after adding optional services and documents.
  2. How much does it cost annually to maintain a Florida LLC?
    Each year, Florida LLCs must pay $138.75 for their annual report. Missing the May 1 deadline adds a $400 late fee.
  3. Does Florida charge a franchise tax for LLCs?
    No. Florida does not have a state franchise tax for LLCs, which helps reduce ongoing costs compared to other states.
  4. Can I file my LLC without an attorney?
    Yes, you can file independently through Sunbiz.org, but consulting an attorney is helpful for drafting your operating agreement or handling complex ownership structures.
  5. Are there additional costs for foreign LLCs in Florida?
    Yes. A foreign LLC registering to do business in Florida must also pay the $125 filing fee and may incur additional costs for obtaining certificates of good standing from their home state.

If you need help with filing for an LLC in Florida, you can post your job on UpCounsel's marketplace. UpCounsel accepts only the top 5 percent of lawyers to its site. Lawyers on UpCounsel come from law schools such as Harvard Law and Yale Law and average 14 years of legal experience, including work with or on behalf of companies like Google, Menlo Ventures, and Airbnb.