Articles of organization are the first document filed for a Florida LLC. They outline your business’s name, purpose, and management structure.
The articles of organization can be filed online through a SunBiz Services portal on the Secretary of State website. You can also print or submit them by mail.
Name of the LLC
Choosing a business name is an important step in the process of registering a limited liability company (LLC) in Florida. You want to choose a name that is unique and memorable so that customers can easily find you on Google.
It should also be easy to say and spell so that people can find your business when they search for products or services. Using words in your LLC name that are relevant to the type of business you have is a good idea.
Before completing the name search, you should check to see if your chosen name is already in use by another Florida entity. The Division of Corporations offers free access to its online entity database to help you with this search.
Purpose of the LLC
A Florida LLC can be managed either by its Members (Member Managed), or they can designate managers to run the company on their behalf (Manager Managed). The choice of management structure is important, as it impacts how distributions and contributions are made.
The management structure of the LLC also affects how tax is handled. Single-member LLCs may be taxed as a sole proprietorship, while multi-member LLCs can elect to be treated as partnerships for federal tax purposes.
Another advantage of an LLC is that it does not require a board of directors or formal meetings. This reduces corporate bureaucracy and costs associated with filings and annual reports.
As a result, LLCs tend to be more flexible than corporations. This makes them more attractive to investors who want liability protection, but don’t have the time or resources to deal with complicated business procedures.
Management structure of the LLC
If you are thinking of starting a business in Florida, the first step is to form an LLC. This is a relatively low-cost, tax-friendly business structure that offers many advantages to entrepreneurs.
Once you have decided to form an LLC, you need to choose the management structure for the company. You can choose between a member-managed or manager-managed LLC, depending on your needs.
In a member-managed LLC, all members have the ability to participate in the day-to-day operations of the company. They can sign contracts on behalf of the company and perform other managerial duties as outlined in the operating agreement.
A member-managed LLC has more flexibility when compared to a corporation, as it allows you to customize the rules for how the company will be run. A member-managed LLC also has fewer formalities than a corporation, which can be an advantage to small businesses.
Filing requirements of the LLC
The first step in starting an LLC is filing your Articles of Organization with the state. These documents provide the legal foundation of the business and can be filed online or via mail.
The articles of organization need to include a company name, address and other important information about the owners, managers and registered agent. The registered agent is a Florida-based individual or business that is legally designated to receive important legal documents on the company’s behalf.
Once your articles of organization are filed, the next step is to get an EIN from the IRS. This nine-digit number will allow your business to file federal taxes, hire employees, and open a bank account.