Florida LLC Online Filing
Creating an LLC is a great way to separate your personal assets from your business. This is important for a number of reasons, including avoiding commingling funds and exposing your personal assets.
To form your Florida LLC, you’ll need to complete a few steps online. The most important is to choose your registered agent.
How to File Online
LLCs are a popular choice for small businesses, offering liability protection and tax advantages. Forming an LLC in Florida is easy.
The first step to filing for a Florida LLC is choosing a unique name. Like in many other states, your LLC must be different from any business already registered with the state’s Division of Corporations.
Next, you need to appoint a registered agent (also known as a “agent for service of process”). Your agent will list their street address in Florida on your articles of organization and be responsible for receiving legal notices on behalf of your business.
You can serve as your own registered agent, or hire a registered agent company to do it for you. The cost for this service can vary from $25 to $125, depending on how often you need it.
Articles of Organization
The articles of organization form the legal foundation for your Florida LLC. These documents establish your authority to operate as a business in the state, provide liability protection for your company, and give you flexibility with taxation.
The document must include your company’s name and address, the names and addresses of each manager or member, the business purpose, and optional provisions that describe the operation of the business. You should have a lawyer review your LLC articles before filing.
Depending on your state, there may be other additional information required to complete the document. Check with the Secretary of State’s office to see what is necessary.
You must also have a registered agent in Florida, who is responsible for receiving legal notices on behalf of your business. You can either be your own agent or appoint someone else to serve as your registered agent. This person must be a Florida resident and have a street address in the state.
Operating Agreement
An LLC’s operating agreement (OA) helps clarify the ownership structure and operating procedures. It can also help members protect their personal assets in the event of a dispute or legal action against the company.
The OA can include details such as how members will vote on management decisions, who will manage the business, and what shares each member holds for profits and losses. It can also spell out how owners can buy out their own ownership interest or dissolve the LLC if they no longer want to be involved in the business.
While the law does not require an OA, it can be a useful way to protect your business. By setting your own rules for running the LLC ahead of time, you’re more likely to avoid conflict and disagreements among members about how things should be done. Moreover, an OA can help to prevent creditors from taking your business to court.
Taxes
When it comes to taxes, LLCs in Florida are subject to the state’s corporate income tax. It is generally a flat 5.5% of the federally taxable income, although there are some exemptions.
In addition to this, LLCs are also required to pay 15.3% in self-employment taxes to cover social security and Medicare obligations. This is split into two parts: 12.4% goes to Social Security and 2.9% to Medicare or hospital insurance.
Aside from these tax obligations, Florida LLCs are liable for the state’s 6% sales tax on all items sold. This is in addition to local sales taxes that many counties levy on a discretionary basis.
In order to file for an LLC in Florida, you need to complete and submit the appropriate forms to the state. These can be filed online or in paper format. The filing fee is $125 for the articles and designation of registered agent. Once the documents have been accepted, you will receive a confirmation letter via email or mail.