How Much to Start an LLC in Florida (2025 Full Cost Guide)

Starting an LLC in Florida in 2025 costs $125 upfront (Articles of Organization + registered agent designation). Maintaining it requires $138.75 annually for the state’s mandatory report. Depending on your location and industry, additional costs like licenses, insurance, or professional help may apply.

In other words, the base Florida LLC cost is $125 to form and $138.75 per year to keep it active, everything else (legal help, bookkeeping, registered agent services, etc.) is optional or situational, but still important for real-world budgeting.

One-Time Costs of Forming an LLC in Florida

When people ask “how much is an LLC in Florida?”, the base cost is $125 if you file directly with the state. Here’s the breakdown:

Expense	Cost	Required?	Notes
Articles of Organization Filing Fee	$100	✅ Required	Officially creates your LLC
Registered Agent Designation	$25	✅ Required	Must have a Florida-based registered agent
Name Reservation (optional)	$35	❌ Optional	Not required but useful if you’re not ready to file yet
Certified Copies	$30+	❌ Optional	Sometimes banks ask for these
Certificate of Status	$5–$10	❌ Optional	Proves your LLC is active & compliant
Expedited/Service Fees	Varies	❌ Optional	Only if you use a third-party filing service

👉 Bottom line: $125 is the official Florida LLC cost. Anything else depends on convenience or business needs.

These state filing fees are paid through Sunbiz, Florida’s official Division of Corporations portal, whether you submit online or by mail. The portal is where you’ll handle your Articles of Organization, annual reports, and any future updates to your Florida LLC.

Annual & Recurring Costs

Forming your LLC is a one-time payment, but staying compliant requires annual obligations:

• Annual Report Fee – $138.75
  Due by May 1st every year. Miss it, and you’ll pay a hefty $400 penalty. If you miss the May 1 deadline, the total cost jumps to $538.75 for that year ($138.75 report + $400 late penalty), and the state can eventually administratively dissolve your LLC if you never file.
• Registered Agent Services – $100–$300/year
  You can serve as your own agent, but hiring a professional protects your privacy.
• Local Business Tax Receipts – $30–$100/year
  Counties like Miami-Dade and Orange require this for most businesses.
• Licensing & Permits – Varies
  For example, a contractor or salon owner will need state professional licensing in addition to the LLC.
• Bookkeeping & IT Services – $50–$200/month
  Many LLCs invest in bookkeeping or IT solutions to keep operations smooth. Don’t forget ongoing federal and state tax obligations. Florida doesn’t impose a state income tax on individuals, but LLCs taxed as corporations may owe Florida corporate income tax, and many businesses must collect sales tax depending on what they sell.

Hidden or Overlooked Expenses

Competitor articles often skip these, but they matter for real budgeting:

1. Business Insurance – General liability ($400–$600/year).
2. DBA / Fictitious Name – $50 if you want to operate under a different trade name.
3. Banking Costs – Some banks charge $25–$50 to open a business account.
4. Late Fees – $400 if annual report is late.
5. Professional Help – CPAs, lawyers, or IT pros can add costs, but also reduce risks.

📌 Pro tip: Always check your county’s website for business tax receipt requirements, this is one of the most commonly forgotten LLC expenses.

If you’re hiring employees, add costs like payroll software, workers’ compensation insurance, and employment tax filings to your Florida LLC cost checklist. Those don’t show up on Sunbiz, but they hit your budget quickly once you start growing.

How Much Does It Cost to Reinstate a Florida LLC?

If you forget to file your annual report, Florida can administratively dissolve your LLC. To bring it back, you’ll pay:

• $100 reinstatement fee, plus
• All past-due annual reports at $138.75 each.

If you only missed one year, that’s typically $238.75 total ($100 reinstatement + $138.75 report). If you’ve been inactive longer, expect the cost to multiply.

Reinstatement is handled through Sunbiz as well, and your LLC name remains protected during the dissolved period, as long as you eventually reinstate instead of starting from scratch.

Money-Saving Tips & Filing Hacks

Florida’s fees are straightforward, but a few smart moves can keep your wallet happy:

• File Early in the Year
  If you form in December, you’ll still owe the annual report by May. Filing in January stretches your money further.
• DIY Filing
  Services like LegalZoom add $100–$300. Filing yourself via Sunbiz.org saves big.
• Be Your Own Registered Agent
  If privacy isn’t a concern, skip the $100–$300/year agent fee.
• Plan Your Startup Costs
  Use calculators like Startup Cost Calculator to avoid surprises.
• Stay Ahead of Deadlines
  Put annual report deadlines on your calendar, $400 penalties are one of the costliest mistakes. If your budget is tight, look for local small-business grants, incubators, or chamber-of-commerce programs. They won’t waive the state LLC fee, but sometimes they reimburse formation costs or offer free legal clinics for new Florida businesses.

Florida LLC Costs Compared with Georgia & Texas

Many entrepreneurs weigh Florida against nearby states. Here’s a side-by-side view:

State	LLC Formation Fee	Annual/Ongoing Fee	Extra Notes
Florida	$125	$138.75 annual report	Local licenses + optional agent
Georgia	$100	$50 annual	Publication requirement (can add $40–$200)
Texas	$300	No annual fee, but franchise tax applies	Higher upfront, but long-term savings if under revenue threshold

👉 Takeaway:

• Florida = simple process, moderate annual cost.
• Georgia = cheaper yearly, but publication costs catch some by surprise.
• Texas = high upfront, but ongoing costs are tied to revenue.

For many online-only or service businesses, Florida’s mix of no personal income tax, reasonable LLC cost, and straightforward renewal process makes it competitive even next to “low-fee” states.

Step-by-Step Checklist for Florida LLC Formation

Here’s a practical checklist you can bookmark:

1. Choose Your Business Name (check availability on Sunbiz).
2. Appoint a Registered Agent (yourself or hire one).
3. File Articles of Organization ($125 total).
4. Draft an Operating Agreement (not required but highly recommended).
5. Get an EIN from the IRS (free).
6. Open a Business Bank Account (some charge $25–$50).
7. Apply for Local Business Licenses (city/county requirements vary).
8. Set Up Accounting (DIY or hire a bookkeeper).
9. File Annual Report by May 1st ($138.75).

💡 Thinking about specific business ideas? Guides like How to Start a Carpet Cleaning Business or How to Start a Lawn Care Business include real-world costs.

If you’re opening the LLC by yourself, you’ll follow the same steps, just skip paid filing services and carefully read each Sunbiz screen. The form asks for:

• LLC name and principal office address
• Registered agent information
• Manager/member details
• Effective date and signature

As long as you can complete those sections accurately, you can open an LLC in Florida on your own without hiring a lawyer or formation company.

How Much Does It Cost to Start a Corporation in Florida?

If you’re comparing structures, a Florida profit corporation has slightly different fees:

• Articles of Incorporation filing fee: around $35
• Registered agent designation: around $35
• Total state formation cost: about $70, plus optional certified copies or certificates of status.

Corporations also file an annual report with a higher fee than LLCs (commonly around $150, plus a $400 late penalty if missed), so long-term costs are similar or slightly higher than an LLC for many small businesses.

FAQs About LLC Costs in Florida

Final Thoughts

So, how much does an LLC cost in Florida?

• One-time: $125 minimum
• Annual: $138.75 for the report
• Extras: Local licenses, insurance, optional services

Competitor guides cover the basics, but miss many hidden costs, state comparisons, and real-world tips. This guide pulls everything together so you can confidently budget for your Florida LLC.

Starting an LLC isn’t just about paperwork, it’s about planning. With the right checklist and budgeting, your Florida LLC can be up and running without financial surprises.