Florida LLC Cost (2026): $125 to Start, $138.75 a Year to Keep
By Frédéric Deltour, Entrepreneur and Business Consultant, 22+ years forming and operating companies.
Published: September 12, 2026 · Last updated: October 10, 2026
Florida is cheap to enter and moderately priced to stay in. The Division of Corporations (Sunbiz) charges $125 to form the LLC and $138.75 every year after that. The number that actually hurts Florida owners is neither of those: it is the $400 penalty for filing the annual report one day late, which Sunbiz applies automatically and does not waive.
Why Florida's $125 Is Two Fees
| Component | Fee | Required? |
|---|---|---|
| Articles of Organization filing | $100 | Yes |
| Designation of registered agent | $25 | Yes |
| Certified copy of the Articles | $30 | Optional |
| Certificate of status | $5 | Optional |
Sunbiz lists the $25 registered agent designation separately, but you cannot file without it, so the real minimum is $125. The two optional add-ons are offered at checkout. Most owners skip them; a bank occasionally asks for a certificate of status, and $5 is the price if yours does.
Florida annual reports are public, and so is the address you list. $39 formation + $125 state fee, free Florida registered agent for year one, then $125/yr.
$39 formation fee · Free registered agent for 12 months · Your address stays off public records · No data selling · No hidden fees
Form Your LLC with Northwest ($39) →Lowest 3-year cost we found: Northwest $289 vs Bizee $298 vs ZenBusiness $497 (service fees; state fees extra). Northwest also puts its address on your public filings instead of yours where the state allows.The $138.75 Annual Report
Every active Florida LLC files an annual report on Sunbiz. The filing window opens January 1 and closes May 1. A new LLC files its first report in the calendar year after it was formed, so an LLC formed in October 2026 files first between January 1 and May 1, 2027.
The report confirms your principal address, mailing address, registered agent and managers or members. If you change something outside the window, an amended annual report costs $50.
The $400 Late Fee Florida Will Not Waive
File on May 2 and you pay $538.75 instead of $138.75. The $400 is set by statute for LLCs and Sunbiz does not grant exceptions for illness, travel or a missed email. Keep ignoring it and the state administratively dissolves the LLC in late September. Reinstatement then costs $100 plus every unpaid annual report fee.
Practical advice from forming companies for 22 years: file in January. The fee is the same whether you file on January 2 or April 30, and early filing removes the risk entirely.
Florida 3-Year Cost
| Scenario | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | 3-Year Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northwest Registered Agent | $164 ($125 filing + $39, RA free) | $263.75 ($138.75 report + $125 RA) | $263.75 (same) | $691.50 |
| ZenBusiness (Starter) | $224 ($125 + $0 + $99 RA) | $337.75 ($138.75 + $199 RA) | $337.75 (same) | $899.50 |
| DIY, self as registered agent | $125 (filing) | $138.75 (annual report) | $138.75 (annual report) | $402.50 |
Northwest Registered Agent costs $289 more than self-agency over three years. In Florida that difference matters for privacy: the registered agent address appears on the Articles and on every annual report in the Sunbiz database, which is searched constantly by marketers.
Form your Florida LLC for $39 + $125 state fee.
Northwest Registered Agent: $39 formation, free Year 1 registered agent, compliance reminders, and your home address kept off public records.
Prefer a $0 upfront starter plan? Compare ZenBusiness (registered agent $199/yr).
Other Sunbiz Fees You May Pay
| Filing | Fee |
|---|---|
| Articles of Amendment (name or other change) | $25 |
| Amended annual report | $50 |
| Fictitious name (DBA) registration | $50 |
| Registered agent resignation (active LLC) | $85 |
| Reinstatement after administrative dissolution | $100 + unpaid reports |
| Articles of Dissolution | $25 |
Florida Taxes on an LLC
Florida has no personal income tax, so profit from a default single-member or multi-member LLC is taxed only federally. Florida does not charge LLCs a franchise tax. The state's 5.5% corporate income tax applies only if the LLC elects to be taxed as a C corporation. Sales tax registration with the Florida Department of Revenue is separate and applies if you sell taxable goods or services.
When a Florida LLC may not pay off: a side project earning a few hundred dollars a year will spend most of it on the $138.75 report. And an LLC you plan to leave dormant still owes the report every year until you file Articles of Dissolution.
Why I Choose Northwest Registered Agent
After forming 3 LLCs myself and helping clients through the process, I keep coming back to Northwest Registered Agent. Here is why:
- Remarkable Customer Support: Quick, human responses every time.
- Caring & Privacy-Focused: Genuine service with full respect for your privacy.
- Lightning-Fast Formation: Often faster than promised.
- Incredible Value: $39 includes a free business address, mail scanning, and more.
- Clear & Transparent: No hidden fees or surprises.
Ready to form your business? Choose Northwest today!
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to form an LLC in Florida?
$125: a $100 Articles of Organization fee plus a $25 registered agent designation fee, paid to the Florida Division of Corporations. With Northwest Registered Agent the total is $164, including a free first year of registered agent service.
How much is the Florida LLC annual report?
$138.75, filed on Sunbiz between January 1 and May 1 each year, starting the year after the LLC is formed.
Can the Florida $400 late fee be waived?
No. A report filed after May 1 costs $538.75 ($138.75 plus the $400 late fee), and Sunbiz does not waive it. Unfiled reports lead to administrative dissolution in late September.
Does a Florida LLC pay state income tax?
Not by default. Florida has no personal income tax and no franchise tax on LLCs. The 5.5% corporate income tax applies only if the LLC elects C corporation tax treatment.
What is the 3-year cost of a Florida LLC?
$402.50 if you are your own registered agent, $691.50 with Northwest Registered Agent, and $899.50 with ZenBusiness.
Related Guides
- Florida LLC Formation: Complete Guide
- Best LLC Service in Florida
- LLC Formation Cost: What You'll Actually Pay
- Best Online LLC Formation Service (2026)
In his 22 years of entrepreneurship, Frédéric Deltour has founded, grown and managed seven NGO's and international companies across diverse industries, including 3 LLCs formed using Northwest Registered Agent. He is a recognized therapist trainer, a published author, and has been featured in Le Parisien, IMDb, Goodreads, and international encyclopedias.
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