A Florida LLC is a great way to protect your personal assets and finances. It offers great tax rates and strong liability protection.
To form an LLC in Florida, you need to submit Articles of Organization and pay the filing fee to the state. These documents establish a legal identity that protects you as the business owner and provides limited liability for your partners.
Online Filing
LLCs are one of the most popular business structures in Florida. They offer flexible management and taxation, strong liability protection for owners, and more.
Despite their popularity, there are still some things to know before you file your LLC. First, you need to choose a name for your LLC and register it with the state.
You also need to appoint an agent to receive legal documents and notices from the state on behalf of your LLC. This person or entity must be located in Florida and available to accept legal paperwork during regular business hours.
Once you’ve chosen a name, filed your Articles of Organization and appoint your registered agent, it’s time to submit them to the Florida Secretary of State. The process is fairly straightforward and takes between ten days and three weeks.
When you’re ready to submit your LLC, we recommend using our easy online filing system at Sunbiz. This will save you time, money, and hassle!
Mail Filing
A Florida LLC is a legal structure that combines the limited liability of a corporation with the flexibility and convenience of a partnership. It’s an excellent choice for entrepreneurs who want to reduce their personal liability for business debts and lawsuits.
The first step in forming a Florida LLC is to file your Articles of Organization with the state. You can file your articles online or by mail.
Whether you decide to file your articles by mail or online, it’s important to include all of the information the state requires. This includes the name and address of your registered agent, which is a person or business you designate to receive official documents on behalf of your LLC.
The Florida Secretary of State also asks you to provide your EIN (employer identification number). If your Florida LLC hires employees or is taxed as a corporation, you’ll need an EIN to file federal business taxes and pay employment taxes.
Expedited Filing
A Florida LLC is one of the most popular business entities in the country because it offers a flexible management structure. It can be managed by members or managers and can be taxed as a corporation, partnership, or pass-through entity (sole proprietor, S-corporation, and C-corporation).
To form an LLC in Florida, you must submit Articles of Organization to the Division of Corporations and pay the $125 filing fee. The process typically takes ten days to three weeks, depending on how busy the division is.
Once your articles are approved, you will be able to get your paperwork back from the state, either electronically or by mail. Generally, online filings take 1-2 business days to process and mailed documents can take 5-7 days.
The final step is to obtain an employer identification number (EIN). This is a nine-digit IRS number that functions similar to a Social Security number for your company. It’s required for a variety of purposes, including filing federal taxes, hiring employees and opening a bank account.
EIN Application
If you’re a Florida LLC that wants to add an EIN, the IRS offers a straightforward application process. Once you complete the online application, it’s validated during an active session and will produce your EIN number immediately.
You can also apply by fax. You can fax your completed Form SS-4, Application for Employer Identification Number to the appropriate fax number (see “Where to File Your Taxes” – for Form SS-4).
The resulting form will include the name and address of the person designated as the “responsible party.” This person must have a valid Taxpayer Identification Number.
Generally, you must have your principal business activities and main physical location in the United States or its territories. However, this is not a hard rule and you can apply for an EIN if your primary business location is outside of the US.
The EIN number is a vital piece of business information, which can help you avoid identity theft and add credibility to your business. It can also be useful for a variety of business needs, including opening a business bank account and applying for loans.