Forming a Florida LLC is one of the best ways to protect your business from personal liabilities while maintaining flexibility in the day-to-day. However, forming a new company can be difficult and time-consuming.
Thankfully, there are many online LLC formation companies that can help you get up and running. Read on to learn more about our picks for the best Florida LLC formation services.
Articles of Organization
Florida law requires all LLCs to file articles of organization with the Division of Corporations. These papers launch the company and make it possible to obtain a state tax number and employer identification number.
The Articles of Organization include the name of the LLC, its registered office, business purpose, and other details. They also must contain information on the management structure, if any.
A registered agent must sign the documents, either personally or electronically. In addition, you must certify that you have at least one manager and one member.
If you have more than two managers, you must list them all separately. In addition, you must certify that each of them is authorised to make management decisions for the LLC.
You can file your Florida Articles of Organization online, by mail, or fax. E-filing is the fastest, but it can take three to five days for e-files to be processed.
Registered Agent
If you’re a Florida-based business, you’ll need to designate a registered agent. This is someone who can receive legal documents, government notifications, and other important communications on your behalf.
This is required for businesses like limited liability companies (LLCs) and corporations. They are tasked with receiving official communications from the state on behalf of your company and helping you stay in good standing with the Secretary of State.
There are many companies that offer registered agent services in the state of Florida. These include Incfile, Rocket lawyer, ZenBusiness, and LegalZoom.
When comparing them, consider their value for money, add-on features, customer reviews, affordability, and availability of customer support. You’ll want to pick a service that meets your needs and will help you save time, money, and effort on a daily basis.
Choosing the right registered agent will help your Florida LLC avoid fines and penalties. It’s also a way to preserve your privacy and ensure that your company stays up to legal standards.
Annual Reports
Annual reports are one of the most important parts of filing for a Florida LLC. These documents keep the government up-to-date on your business’s current information, including your company name and registered agent.
They also provide a detailed activity log that records all transactions, new associations, and appointments. This information can help you stay on top of your business’s performance year over year, and it may reveal red flags that could point to a less-than-stable or profitable business.
If you’re a business owner in Florida, you may want to file your annual report online through the state’s Sunbiz system. This will get your updated information onto the state’s public records system in minutes.
You’ll need your document number, the name of your company, and an email address to start the process. The website is easy to use and has on-screen instructions that make it simple to complete.
EIN
Your LLC needs an EIN, or Employer Identification Number, to identify it with the IRS. It’s like a social security number for your company, and it makes it easy to apply for bank accounts and handle employee payroll.
For Florida LLCs, the process is simple and can be completed online. Once you’ve filed, the Internal Revenue Service will mail or fax you an EIN confirmation letter.
The EIN application requires you to fill out the name of your business and the name and address of its registered agent in Florida. It also asks you if the business is a corporation or partnership.
You’ll also have to indicate the name and Social Security number of an EIN-responsible party (only one per day), who will be in charge of applying for your EIN. This person must have ownership or control of your business.