Florida LLC Cost (2026): Complete Breakdown of Every Fee
By Frédéric Deltour, Entrepreneur and Business Consultant, 22+ years forming and operating companies.
Published: May 5, 2026 · Last updated: May 5, 2026
Florida is one of the most affordable states for LLC maintenance in the country. No state income tax. No franchise tax. The only mandatory ongoing cost is the $138.75 annual report due May 1 each year. Compare that to California's $800/year minimum or New York's $25 biennial report plus publication costs.
The number most people search for is the formation fee: $125. That is accurate and verifiable from Sunbiz. What this page adds is the complete picture: what every cost actually is, when it is due, what happens if you miss it, and how total costs compare across formation options over three years.
One-Time Formation Costs
| Cost Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Formation service fee (optional) | $0 to $300+ | Northwest Registered Agent: $39; Bizee: $0; LegalZoom: $0-$279 |
| Registered agent (Year 1, if using service) | $0 to $300 | Northwest: free with formation; Bizee: free for Year 1 |
| Formation cost with Northwest Registered Agent | $164 | $125 state + $39 service (includes free Year 1 RA service) |
| Minimum formation cost (DIY, self as agent) | $125 | State filing fee only |
| Articles of Organization filing fee | $100 | Paid to Florida Division of Corporations via Sunbiz |
| Registered agent designation fee | $25 | Part of the $125 total filing fee; covers designation of your registered agent |
| Total state filing fee | $125 | Non-refundable, even if rejected for technical errors |
| Operating agreement | $0 to $1,000 | Not legally required in FL; templates free online; attorney-drafted $400-$1,000 |
| EIN (federal tax ID) | $0 | Free directly from IRS.gov; never pay a service for this |
| Name reservation | N/A | Florida does not offer name reservation for LLCs |
Best value for Florida LLCs. $39 formation + $125 state fee. Free registered agent year one, then $125/yr. No hidden costs.
$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) →Annual Recurring Costs
| Cost Item | Amount | Due Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered agent (professional service) | $125 to $300/year | Annual renewal | Northwest: $125; Bizee: $119; others: $150-$300 |
| Annual total (with Northwest RA) | $263.75 | Varies | $138.75 annual report + $125 RA service |
| Annual minimum (no RA service) | $138.75 | May 1 | DIY with self as agent |
| Annual report | $138.75 | May 1 every year | Opens January 1; file through Sunbiz |
| Late annual report penalty | $400 (automatic) | After May 1 | Total becomes $538.75; no exceptions or waivers |
| State income tax | $0 | N/A | Florida has no personal state income tax |
| Franchise tax | $0 | N/A | Florida does not charge franchise tax on LLCs |
| Florida corporate income tax | 5.5% if taxed as C-Corp | Annual | Applies only if LLC elects C-Corp tax treatment; single-member and pass-through LLCs not subject |
True 3-Year Total Cost Comparison
The formation fee matters once. What actually determines your LLC's affordability is the total cost over the period you operate. Here is the 3-year total under different formation scenarios.
| Scenario | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | 3-Year Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northwest Registered Agent | $164 ($125 state + $39 service, RA free) | $263.75 ($138.75 report + $125 RA) | $263.75 ($138.75 report + $125 RA) | $691.50 |
| ZenBusiness (Starter) | $125 + service fee (starter plan varies) | $338.75 ($138.75 + $200 RA renewal) | $338.75 | Approx. $802+ |
| Bizee (Basic) | $125 (state only, $0 service, RA free yr 1) | $257.75 ($138.75 report + $119 RA) | $257.75 ($138.75 report + $119 RA) | $640.50 |
| DIY, self as registered agent | $125 (filing) | $138.75 (annual report) | $138.75 (annual report) | $402.50 |
Finding: The 3-year cost difference between DIY (self as agent) and Northwest Registered Agent is $289. That $289 buys: your home address off Sunbiz's public records permanently, compliance reminders for the May 1 annual report deadline, and professional handling of any legal documents served on the LLC. For most business owners with a home address they don't want public, that is a worthwhile trade.
Optional and Situation-Specific Costs
| Cost Item | Amount | When You'd Pay This |
|---|---|---|
| Certified copy of Articles of Organization | $30 | Needed for some banks and contracts |
| Certificate of Status (Good Standing) | $5 | Required for foreign registration in other states |
| Registered agent change (Form CR2E098) | $25 | When switching registered agents |
| Amendment to Articles of Organization | $25 | Changing LLC name, registered office, or other formation details |
| Fictitious name (DBA) registration | $50 | Operating under a name different from your LLC name |
| DBA renewal | $50 every 5 years | Required if you have a registered fictitious name |
| Dissolution filing | $25 | When closing/dissolving the LLC |
| Florida sales tax permit | Free to register | Required if selling taxable goods or services in Florida |
| Local business license | $50-$500/year | Varies by city/county; most Florida cities require one |
| Reinstatement (after dissolution) | $100 + back fees | If dissolved for non-compliance and you want to restore |
Florida LLC Cost vs. Other States
Florida's LLC costs are very competitive when you account for what the state does not charge:
| State | Formation Fee | Annual Minimum Cost | Income Tax | 3-Year State Minimum |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | $125 | $138.75 (annual report) | None | $402.50 |
| Texas | $300 | $0 (PIR, no fee) | None | $300 |
| Wyoming | $100 | $60 (annual report) | None | $220 |
| California | $70 | $810 ($800 tax + $10 SOI annualized) | None (personal) | $2,500+ |
| New York | $200 | $9 (biennial report annualized) | Up to 10.9% | $1,500+ (with publication) |
| Delaware | $90 | $300 (franchise tax) | None (if no DE income) | $690 |
Finding: Florida has a higher formation fee than Wyoming or Delaware, but its ongoing annual costs are far lower than California and New York. For a business actually operating in Florida, this is one of the most cost-efficient states for LLC maintenance outside of Wyoming and Texas.
Best Formation Service for Florida: Cost Comparison
| Service | Service Fee | Year 1 RA | Year 2+ RA | Privacy | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northwest Registered Agent | $39 | Free | $125/yr | Data never sold; no third-party sharing | Best overall: privacy + support + value |
| Bizee | $0 | Free | $119/yr | Data may be shared with partners* | Lowest upfront cost |
| DIY (Sunbiz direct) | $0 | $0 (self) | $0 (self) | Your home address public | Absolute minimum cost |
*Bizee's privacy practices: Bizee may share customer data with third-party partners as disclosed in their terms of service. This is a meaningful difference from Northwest's explicit no-data-selling policy. Consider this if you receive unsolicited business service marketing after using Bizee.
Form your Florida LLC for $39 + $125 state fee.
Northwest Registered Agent: $39 formation, free Year 1 registered agent, compliance reminders for the May 1 annual report deadline, and your home address off Sunbiz public records.
Alternative: Bizee ($0 service fee)
When the Cost of a Florida LLC Is Not Worth It
Florida's LLC costs are low by any national standard. But there are specific situations where they still exceed what makes sense:
- Pre-revenue or very low-revenue business: A $138.75 annual report on a side business making $3,000/year is a 4.6% overhead cost before taxes. Operating as a sole proprietor is free and still allows you to open a DBA bank account.
- You plan to keep the LLC dormant indefinitely. A Florida LLC with no activity still owes $138.75/year in annual report fees until it is properly dissolved via Sunbiz. Dormant LLCs accumulate fees and risk dissolution if the annual report lapses.
- You are not actually in Florida. Forming a Florida LLC when your business has no Florida presence adds $138.75/year in compliance costs and potential registered agent fees without any business benefit. Form in your home state instead.
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 free business address, mail scanning, phone line, business email, domain name, website, and brand protection.
- Clear & Transparent: No hidden fees or surprises.
Ready to form your business? Choose Northwest today!
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Florida LLC cost?
The minimum cost to form a Florida LLC is $125 (state filing fee). Annual report: $138.75/year due May 1. No franchise tax, no state income tax. Using Northwest Registered Agent adds $39 for year one, then $125/year for registered agent service from year two. 3-year total with Northwest: $691.50.
What is the Florida LLC annual report fee?
The Florida LLC annual report costs $138.75 per year. It is due by May 1. Miss that deadline by one day and Florida automatically adds a $400 late penalty, making the total $538.75. There are no exceptions and no way to waive the penalty.
Does Florida charge franchise tax on LLCs?
No. Florida does not charge franchise tax on LLCs. Florida also has no personal state income tax. The only mandatory ongoing state cost is the $138.75 annual report.
What is the cheapest way to form an LLC in Florida?
File directly through Sunbiz for $125 and serve as your own registered agent (free if you have a Florida address). Total minimum: $125. If you use Bizee, their service fee is $0 with a free first year of registered agent, so you only pay the $125 state fee upfront. Annual report in year two adds $138.75.
How much is the Florida LLC annual report late fee?
$400, automatic, no exceptions. Miss the May 1 deadline by one day and the fee is applied. Total annual report cost after late filing: $538.75. Miss the annual report entirely by late September and Florida initiates dissolution of your LLC.
Is the Florida LLC cost higher than other states?
Florida is mid-range for formation ($125) and low for ongoing costs (just $138.75/year). Wyoming is cheaper overall ($100 to form, $60/year). Texas is cheaper ongoing ($300 to form, $0/year for most LLCs). California is dramatically more expensive ($70 to form, $800+/year mandatory). For a business actually operating in Florida, the cost structure is favorable.
Related Guides
- Florida LLC Formation: Complete Guide
- LLC Formation Cost: What You'll Actually Pay
- Best Online LLC Formation Service (2026)
- Cheapest LLC Service in 2026
- Annual LLC Compliance Requirements by State
Frédéric has founded and operated businesses across multiple countries, including 3 LLCs formed using Northwest Registered Agent. He holds certifications as a holistic coach and therapist trainer, is a published author, and has been featured in Le Parisien, IMDb, Goodreads, and international encyclopedias.
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