Starting an LLC in Florida:
the steps, in the right order.
By Steven · Universal Taxes & More · Last reviewed August 2026
Forming a Florida LLC isn't hard — that's the trap. The state filing takes minutes, so people stop there and discover months later that the filing was the easy 20%. Here are all seven steps in the order that saves you money, with the traps marked.
Check the name
Florida requires a distinguishable name ending in "LLC." Search the state's Sunbiz registry before you print business cards, not after.
Pick a registered agent
Someone with a Florida street address who receives official mail for the LLC. It can be you — just understand what you're signing up for before paying a service for it.
File the Articles of Organization
The actual formation document, filed with the state plus its filing fee. Online filings usually process within a few business days.
Get the EIN — it's free
Your federal tax ID comes directly from the IRS at no charge. Plenty of websites charge real money for this free step — the most common trap on this list.
Open a separate bank account
Business money and personal money must never share an account — mixing them undermines the protection the LLC exists to create, and makes your books a forensic project.
Decide how it's taxed
An LLC's default taxation isn't always the cheapest option — elections like S-corp status exist, and some have strict filing windows. This is the step that pays for every other step when done right.
Calendar the annual report
Every spring, Florida requires a short online report to keep the LLC active. The late fee is steep, and ignoring it long enough dissolves the company.
Want it done in one visit? Our LLC formation service handles all seven steps — state fees shown exactly as they are, EIN included, tax election explained before you choose. We're not a law firm; for custom legal terms we'll point you to an attorney, plainly.
Quick answers
How much does it cost to start an LLC in Florida?
Florida charges a state filing fee for the Articles of Organization — that part is the same no matter who files it. What varies wildly is what services charge on top, often for things that are free, like the EIN. We show you the state fees exactly as they are and quote our flat preparation fee up front.
Do I need an operating agreement?
Florida doesn't require one to form the LLC, but banks sometimes ask for one, and multi-member LLCs genuinely need the clarity. We can prepare basic documents; for custom terms between partners, that's attorney territory — and we'll say so plainly.
What is the Florida annual report?
A short online filing due each spring that keeps your LLC active with the state. Miss it and the late fee is steep — and eventually the state dissolves the LLC entirely. We put it on the calendar with you so it never sneaks up.
General information, not legal or tax advice — fees and rules change. We'll confirm the current details for your situation in the office.