LLC formation costs in Florida

That $125 Florida LLC filing fee looks simple at first glance, until you realize it's just the entry ticket to a maze of extra costs. Most founders experience sticker shock when they discover the initial state fee barely scratches the surface of what's actually required.

If you handle everything yourself, you can stay close to that $125. But professional registered agent services add $75–$300 annually. Online formation platforms typically cost $150–$300 first year. Attorney help can drive your upfront bill past $2,500. Florida's annual report fee of $138.75 appears between January and May; miss the deadline and face a $400 penalty.

Required Florida LLC formation costs

These state-mandated costs keep your Florida LLC legitimate and compliant regardless of your formation method.

‍

The $125 filing fee covers two charges: $100 to create the Articles of Organization and $25 to designate a registered agent through the Sunbiz portal.

Optional formation costs

After Florida's $125 filing fee, you decide how much convenience, speed, and security you want to pay for. Professional guidance is your most significant variable; attorneys typically charge $500 to $2,000 for formation packages, including custom documents and compliance guidance. Tax planning sessions with CPAs cost $100-$400. Online formation platforms usually handle paperwork for $49-$299 plus state fees.

Florida offers several additional filings based on your specific needs:

• Name reservation is $25. Secures your desired LLC name for 120 days while you complete documents.
• Fictitious name (DBA) costs $50 state filing fee plus $35-$150 for required newspaper publication before filing.
• EIN acquisition is free up to $100. Get an EIN in minutes on IRS.gov at no cost, or pay a service $50-$100.
• Certified copies or a certificate of status are $5-$30. Banks and out-of-state regulators sometimes request these good-standing documents.

Your need for these extras depends on your timeline and comfort with risk.

Ongoing annual costs

Florida's annual report costs $138.75, due between January 1 and May 1. Miss this deadline and face a $400 late fee (non-waivable), bringing your total to $538.75. Failure to file by the third Friday of September results in administrative dissolution.

 Key recurring expenses include:

• Registered agent fees: Using your own Florida address costs nothing, while professional services run $75 to $300 annually
• Local business tax receipts: Range from under $50 in rural counties to $500+ in significant cities, depending on your industry
• Professional services: Optional but valuable for tax planning and compliance guidance

A basic Florida LLC might cost $140 to $300 annually, while professionally supported companies with multiple permits could see $600 to $1,500 in annual expenses.

FAQs about LLC formation costs in Florida

What's the cheapest way to launch an LLC in Florida? 

File yourself through Sunbiz and act as your own registered agent for exactly $125. But mistakes get expensive; forgetting the annual report adds a $400 penalty.

Are there hidden fees? 

Counties often require business tax receipts ranging from $50–$500, depending on your industry. Missing the May 1 annual report deadline adds a $400 late charge.

How do Florida costs compare nationally? 

At $125, Florida sits just below the national average of $132, plus no state franchise taxes.

Simplify Florida LLC formation costs with Discern

Discern eliminates uncertainty by showing every fee upfront in one clear dashboard, with no surprise add-ons. Most formations are completed in minutes through our automated system. 

Instead of juggling compliance deadlines across multiple states, get real-time status tracking for every entity from a single platform. Ready to streamline your Florida LLC formation and ongoing compliance management? Book a demo of Discern today.