Your Florida LLC name can identify the type of products and services your business will provide; or it may be the name of the founder; or it can be a combination of the two or something else.

In any case, the Florida LLC name that you choose must be distinguishable from the name of any other registered Florida LLC or other registered Florida business entity, such as a Florida Corporation or LLP.  The LLC name must also be different from any reserved names on record with the state of Florida.  Your Florida LLC name must not imply that it was formed for a purpose other than that stated in your Articles of Organization; and your Florida LLC name must not be a name that is likely to mislead the public.

Florida LLC names must contain as the last words of the LLC name, "Limited Liability Company" or "Limited Company," or the abbreviations "L.L.C." or "L.C.," or the designations "LLC" or "LC".  The word "Limited" may be abbreviated as "Ltd.," and the word "Company" may be abbreviated as "Co".

It's important to choose a good name for your Florida LLC because if you want to change it after you Form a LLC in Florida you will have to file amended Articles of Organization with the Florida Secretary of State (and pay a fee).

Every Florida LLC must have an address that is physically located in the state of Florida.  This address is "registered" with the Florida Secretary of State.  The Registered Address is where official and legal correspondence can be delivered.

The individual or company that is registered with the state of Florida to receive all correspondence on behalf of the Florida LLC is called a "Registered Agent" or "Agent for Service of Process".  You may act as your own Registered Agent, however, many Florida LLCs hire a Registered Agent because they don't have a physical address within the state of Florida or to provide a distinct level of privacy.

The owners of a Florida LLC are called Members - not Partners or Shareholders.  (a Florida Limited Liability Company does not issue stock).  Members make all business decisions and realize the financial benefits generated by the Florida LLC.  Division of ownership and distribution of profits are decided by private agreement among the Members.  Each Florida LLC must have at least one Member.  Members need not live in the state of Florida or be citizens of the United States.

Managers are responsible for the day to day operation of the Florida LLC.  Members elect or appoint Managers and have the power to remove them.  Managers may or may not be Members of the Florida LLC.  Management for your Florida LLC may be defined in your Articles of Organization or, more commonly, in an Operating Agreement.

The IRS does not recognize a Limited Liability Company as a classification for federal tax purposes.  Florida LLC Members can elect for the IRS to tax the LLC as a sole proprietorship, partnership, C Corporation, or S Corporation.  This decision may be made after the Florida LLC is created.  If a single Member Florida LLC does not declare a tax classification it is taxed the same as a sole proprietorship.  A multiple Member Florida LLC that does not declare a tax classification is taxed as a general partnership.  More specific federal LLC tax information can be found at the IRS web site.

A Florida Limited Liability Company is a type of business that is authorized by the state of Florida - not by the federal government.  In order to form a LLC in Florida you must file Articles of Organization with the Florida Secretary of State. The Articles of Organization must include certain specific information about your Florida LLC.  If the Articles do not conform exactly to state of Florida requirements they will be rejected.  You may subsequently amend the Articles of Organization for your Florida LLC but you will have to pay a fee to the state of Florida in order to make the changes official.

A Federal Employer Identification Number, also known as a Federal Tax Identification Number, is used by the IRS to identify a business entity.  An FEIN is like a Social Security Number for your Florida LLC.  All Florida LLCs electing to be taxed as a C-Corporation or S-Corporation are required to have a FEIN.

If you do not elect to have your Florida LLC taxed as a Corporation you may still need to get a FEIN if it is composed of multiple members or if you plan to have employees.

If you plan to form a Single Member Florida LLC you may not need a separate FEIN for the LLC if you have no employees.  The sole Member of a Single Member Florida LLC may be able to use his or her Social Security Number instead of applying for an FEIN.  You may request a FEIN for your Florida LLC for banking or state tax purposes, but an FEIN may not be required for federal tax purposes depending on your business circumstances.

An Operating Agreement defines the rules by which your Florida LLC will operate.  It is the core document that is referred to when issues concerning your LLC need to be resolved.  Operating Agreements may include requirements for almost anything that involves the management and operation of your Florida LLC.  By having an Operating Agreement all Members will be provided with a clear set of rules they have agreed upon thus reducing the likelihood of disagreement in the future.

Items commonly included in an Operating Agreement for a Florida LLC:


Although an Operating Agreement is not required in the state of Florida, if you plan to form a multiple Member Florida LLC it is highly advisable to have one.  Having an Operating Agreement will save you a lot of time and money should conflict arise down the line.  As your Florida LLC grows over time, you may amend your Operating Agreement as necessary.

When your Florida LLC has an Operating Agreement your business will be governed by your own rules and not some canned business rules created by the state of Florida.

It's very important that you have a separate business bank account for your Florida LLC.  Mixing personal and business funds may get you in a lot of trouble with the tax man down the line.  It's a good idea to contact the bank before you open a business bank account for your Florida Limited Liability Company.  Specific requirements vary from bank to bank. 

In most cases you will need a FEIN, a copy of your Florida LLC Articles of Organization, and a resolution identifying authorized signers if those names are not listed in the Articles.

Note that forming a Florida LLC doesn't take the place of obtaining a business license, tax registration certificate, or other required business permits.  A Florida LLC merely creates an ownership structure that limits the owner's personal liability.  You may still need to take care of getting set up to do business with your local government.

Depending on the nature of the business and the location of your Florida LLC you may need to get one or more city business licenses or permits.  The business licenses or permits that are required for your Florida LLC vary depending on your business activities and the specific locations within the state of Florida in which you want to conduct business.

If your Florida LLC will be selling products in Florida you may be required to obtain a Reseller's Permit from the appropriate Florida state agency.  If your Florida LLC will be selling products in Florida you will also be responsible for all applicable local and state of Florida sales taxes if there are any.

A Florida Limited Liability Company (LLC) must file an Annual Report with the Florida Secretary of State between January 1st and May 1st of every year to maintain "active" status. The Florida LLC's first annual report will be due between January 1st and May 1st of the calendar year following the year the Florida LLC was approved by the FL Secretary of State.

Every Florida LLC is required to file an Annual Report with the Florida Secretary of State EACH year.

The Florida LLC Annual Report is due at the Florida Secretary of State between January 1 and May 1 EACH year.

A Florida LLC must file its LLC Annual Report with the FL Secretary of State by May 1.

If a Florida LLC does not file its LLC Annual Report by the 3rd Friday of September in the year in which the Annual Report is due then the Florida Secretary of State will administratively dissolve the Florida LLC.

If a Florida LLC is administratively dissolved by the Florida Secretary of State then that Florida LLC must pay reinstatement costs in order to get the Florida LLC back into Good Standing.