If you’re planning to start a business in Florida, you’ll want to register your company with the state. You can do this by completing a simple form and paying a filing fee.
The first step is to choose a name for your LLC. Your choice should be easy to remember and distinguishable from similar names.
Articles of organization
Creating an LLC business is a great way to separate your business from your personal finances. It also helps you to avoid liability in the event that someone sues your business.
To form an LLC in Florida, you need to file Articles of Organization with the Secretary of State. This is a simple, easy-to-fill document that creates your business.
It lays out basic information about your business and confirms that you have at least one manager and one member. It also lists your registered agent, who will receive legal notices for your business.
You can file your articles of organization online, by mail or in person. You can also fax your documents.
If you need help with the process, you can hire an attorney to review your documents. You can find an expert through UpCounsel’s marketplace.
The filing fee for LLCs is $125. It’s paid when you submit your Articles of Organization by mail, online or in person.
Registered agent
Florida requires businesses to appoint a registered agent to receive legal documents and notices from the state. This person or entity must provide a physical address within the state that is accessible during regular business hours.
You can appoint yourself or another member of your LLC to act as your registered agent. This is usually a spouse or an employee, but you can also choose to hire a professional registered agent service.
A registered agent will receive important documents from the Secretary of State and other government agencies on your behalf. These documents can include annual reports, notices of delinquency, and other forms that can be important to your business.
When filing your Articles of Organization with the Florida Division of Corporations, you must also include a registered agent’s name and address. You can file this information online or in-person. The filing fee is $125.
Tax identification number
A Florida LLC that has employees, owners or is taxed as a corporation will need to apply for an EIN (or SSN in some cases). This number is a nine-digit number similar to an individual social security number but serves as an identification for the business.
Getting this number is quick and easy online and only takes about 15 minutes. The IRS will send it to you by mail or fax after a few days.
In most cases, you will need to provide this EIN number before opening a business bank account, applying for business licenses and permits, and hiring employees. The EIN will also be used by the IRS for filing federal taxes.
Once you have the tax identification number, you can start registering your business with the Florida Division of Corporations. This is a simple task that can take two to five business days after you file your Articles of Organization with the state.
Operating agreement
An LLC operating agreement is an internal document that sets up the rules and structure for your business. It regulates members’ contributions to the LLC, distributions of profits, and how decisions are made.
In most states, an operating agreement is not required upon formation, but it’s a good idea to have one in place, regardless. This document can help ensure that each member follows the rules of the LLC and avoids any misunderstandings or disputes that may arise in the future.
Moreover, an LLC with an operating agreement can customize its organizational structure to suit the needs of your business. This can be especially beneficial if you want to have more flexibility than other structures like S-corps or C-corps allow, or if your state’s default laws don’t suit your business well.