Cost to Form and Maintain a Florida LLC (2026)

This is the complete cost breakdown for forming and maintaining an LLC in Florida. Every fee listed below is verified against the Division of Corporations' current fee schedule published on Sunbiz.org. Understanding these costs upfront prevents surprises — especially the $400 late fee that catches many Florida LLC owners off guard.

Formation Costs (One-Time)

Minimum to form (DIY): $125 — just the state filing fee, if you serve as your own registered agent, draft your own operating agreement, and file yourself through Sunbiz.org.

Important Florida-specific note: The $125 fee is a combined payment. It includes the $100 Articles of Organization filing fee plus the $25 registered agent designation fee. These are not billed separately — you pay $125 as a single transaction on Sunbiz.org. Some states charge these separately; Florida bundles them.

Ongoing Annual Costs

Minimum annual maintenance: $138.75 (just the annual report fee, if you serve as your own registered agent and have no other filing obligations). Florida's ongoing cost is moderate — higher than Wyoming ($60/year) but far lower than California ($800/year franchise tax) or Massachusetts ($500/year).

The Annual Report: Florida's Primary Ongoing Cost

The annual report is where Florida LLC owners most commonly trip up:

• Amount: $138.75 (this precise amount — not $139 or $140)
• Filing window: January 1 through May 1 each year
• Method: Filed electronically through Sunbiz.org (you cannot file by mail)
• What it contains: Confirmation of current registered agent, principal address, mailing address, and member/manager names and addresses. It is not a financial report.
• First report due: May 1 of the calendar year following formation. (Formed in 2026 → first report due May 1, 2027)

The $400 late fee: If you file your annual report after May 1, a $400 late filing supplement is automatically added. Total cost of a late-filed report: $538.75. This is one of the steepest late fees of any state for what is otherwise a routine compliance filing.

Administrative dissolution: If you do not file the annual report (even late) by the third Friday in September, the Division of Corporations administratively dissolves your LLC. See our missed deadline guide and penalty guide.

Florida-Specific Cost Advantages

No state income tax: This is the biggest cost advantage. LLCs in California pay an $800 minimum franchise tax even if they earn nothing. Texas LLCs owe franchise tax on revenue above $2.47M. New York LLCs pay a filing fee of $25-$4,500 depending on income. Florida LLC members with pass-through income owe $0 to the state — their only state-level cost is the $138.75 annual report.

No franchise tax since 2021: Florida eliminated its corporate franchise tax effective January 1, 2021. Pass-through LLCs never owed it, but even LLCs electing corporate taxation are now free of this previously recurring cost.

No business privilege tax: Unlike Tennessee and some other states, Florida does not impose a separate business privilege tax on LLCs.

Fast processing without expedited fee: Many states charge $50-$150+ for expedited processing. Florida's online filings process in 1-2 business days at the standard $125 fee — no extra charge for speed.

How Florida Compares to Other States

Florida sits in the middle — more expensive than Wyoming's bare-bones $160 first year, but dramatically cheaper than California ($870+) or New York ($1,225+). For businesses that actually operate in Florida, forming here avoids the dual-state costs of forming elsewhere and registering as a foreign LLC.

For detailed state comparisons, see Florida vs Delaware and Florida vs Wyoming.

Hidden Costs to Watch For

1. The $400 late fee — The single biggest cost surprise for Florida LLC owners. One missed May 1 deadline turns your $138.75 obligation into $538.75. Set a calendar reminder for April.

2. Tangible personal property tax — Florida counties tax business equipment, furniture, and fixtures. File DR-405 with your county property appraiser by April 1 each year. The first $25,000 is exempt (but you must file the return to claim the exemption). Above $25,000, rates are typically 1.5%-2.5% of assessed value.

3. Documentary stamp tax (real estate) — If transferring property into your LLC, Florida charges $0.70 per $100 of consideration (most counties). Transferring a $400,000 property costs $2,800 in documentary stamps alone.

4. Sales tax registration compliance — The permit is free, but failing to collect and remit sales tax creates liability. Interest and penalties accumulate quickly.

5. Business insurance — Not a state fee, but a practical cost. General liability for a Florida LLC typically runs $500-$2,000/year depending on industry. Required by many commercial leases and client contracts.

6. Certified copies and certificates — Certificate of Status: $5 (electronic) or $8.75 (certified). Certified copy of filed documents: $8.75 per document plus $1 per page. These are occasional costs, not annual.

FAQ

What is the cheapest way to form a Florida LLC?

File directly through Sunbiz.org yourself for $125. This is the absolute minimum. You would serve as your own registered agent (free, but your address is public), draft your own operating agreement (free, but may miss important provisions), and apply for your EIN yourself (free, takes 5 minutes). Total cost: $125.

Are there any annual taxes for Florida LLCs?

The annual report ($138.75) is technically a fee, not a tax. Florida has no state income tax for pass-through entities. The only true taxes a Florida LLC might owe at the state level are: sales tax (if selling taxable goods/services), tangible personal property tax (on business equipment above $25,000), and corporate income tax (5.5% — only if you elect C-corp taxation). Most simple LLCs owe only the $138.75 annual report fee.

Is the annual report fee tax-deductible?

Yes. The $138.75 annual report fee is an ordinary and necessary business expense deductible on your federal tax return (Schedule C for single-member LLCs, or as a business expense on Form 1065 for partnerships).

How much should I budget for my first year?

For a typical single-member Florida LLC: $125 (formation) + $99 (registered agent service) = $224 in year one. Your first annual report ($138.75) is not due until May 1 of the following calendar year, so it may not fall in your first year depending on timing. Add $500-$1,500 for business insurance if your industry or clients require it. A reasonable first-year budget is $250-$750 for the LLC itself (excluding industry-specific costs like licensing or equipment).

Why is the annual report fee $138.75 and not a round number?

The fee is set by Florida statute and reflects the combination of the base annual report fee plus supplemental charges. The Division of Corporations charges this precise amount — $138.75 — not a rounded figure. Budget for the exact number.