You can file your LLC articles of organization online or hire a service to do it for you. Many services include their registered agent service for the first year. Northwest offers this service for $39 plus the state fee.
You will need to pay a one-time fee for the state’s public organic record and for your registered agent. The latter handles lawsuits, tax forms and business notices.
Articles of organization
The articles of organization for a Florida LLC are the legal documents that establish your limited liability company as a business entity. They disclose information such as the company name, address, and registered agent. They also contain other provisions required by law, such as the type of management and ownership structure.
When filing the articles, you must use a unique business name that is not already in use in Florida. It must include “limited liability company” or its abbreviation (“LLC”). You must also include a statement that the name complies with statutory requirements.
You can file the articles of organization for your Florida LLC online or in person at Florida’s Division of Corporations. If you choose to file online, your articles will be processed within three to five business days. If you file by mail, it may take longer. In either case, the state fee is $125. Other fees and taxes may be imposed, such as a sales tax or business licenses.
Annual report
When you start a business in Florida, you have to pay some fees and keep up with other compliance requirements. It is important to understand these costs before you start a new business in Florida. This will help you budget your expenses and stay compliant. In addition, you will need to choose the right business structure for your needs and your budget.
If you’re a non-profit corporation or limited liability company, you’ll need to file an annual report with the Florida Division of Corporations. This is a yearly filing that keeps the state informed about your business’s status and contact information.
You’ll also need to appoint a registered agent, which is a person or service that receives legal documents and state notices on your behalf. You can appoint yourself or hire a registered agent service, which typically costs $100 to $300 per year. Most of these services also offer other business services and will keep your privacy secure.
Fictitious name registration
If you operate your Florida LLC under a name other than its legal name, you must register it as a fictitious business name (also known as a DBA). You will need to pay a filing fee and publish it in a local newspaper. You must also make sure that the fictitious name isn’t already in use by another company. You can check names for availability by searching the state’s business name database. In addition, you will need a Florida Registered Agent, which is an individual or business entity that accepts service of process on behalf of your LLC and has a street address in the state.
Millions of entrepreneurs choose to form limited liability companies because they offer flexibility and protection, including pass through taxation. However, forming an LLC has its own set of costs, and these fees vary from state to state.
Registered agent
Florida LLCs must have a Florida registered agent who can receive service of process and other legal documents on behalf of the business. The Florida registered agent must be a person or company, and must have a physical street address in the state of Florida (P.O. boxes are not acceptable). The name and address of the registered agent must be included in your Florida Articles of Organization. You must also include the names and addresses of any members or managers, if your LLC is manager-managed. You can find a list of Florida registered agents online.
You can hire a business registration service like Northwest to file your Articles of Organization for you, and they’ll include their registered agent services for the first year for $39 plus the one-time state fee. Other services, such as IncParadise and ZenBusiness, are more expensive but offer a wide range of additional services. For example, they can help you register a fictitious name and assist with filing your annual report.