How to Start a Corporation in Florida

Filing fee: $70 (Articles of Incorporation, filed with the Florida Division of Corporations)

Processing time: 3–5 business days online; expedited options available

State agency: Florida Division of Corporations (Sunbiz) — dos.fl.gov/sunbiz

Annual report due: January 1 – May 1 each year; $150 filing fee for corporations

State tax rate: No personal income tax; 5.5% corporate income tax on federal taxable income over $50,000 (C Corps only)

To form a corporation in Florida, you need to choose a corporate name, file Articles of Incorporation with the Florida Division of Corporations, appoint a registered agent, create corporate bylaws, issue shares, and get a federal Employer Identification Number (EIN). The state filing fee is $70, and most online filings are processed in 3–5 business days.

Why form a corporation in Florida

Florida is one of the more business-friendly states in the country — no personal income tax, a large consumer market, and a straightforward formation process through Sunbiz. For entrepreneurs who want to raise investment, issue stock, or build a business with multiple owners, a corporation gives you a structure that's built for that from day one.

Florida corporations come in 2 main forms. A C Corporation is the default — it's taxed as a separate entity, which means the corporation pays federal income tax on profits and shareholders pay taxes on dividends. An S Corporation passes income and losses through to shareholders' personal tax returns, avoiding that double taxation, but it comes with IRS restrictions: no more than 100 shareholders, all of whom must be U.S. citizens or residents.

Florida's lack of a personal income tax makes the S Corp structure particularly attractive for business owners who want pass-through taxation without the state-level income tax hit that applies in many other states.

How to form a corporation in Florida

There are 6 steps to forming a corporation in Florida. Each one has a specific requirement attached — skipping or rushing any of them can create problems with your filing or your tax status later.

Florida corporation fees and ongoing requirements

Forming the corporation is a one-time step. Staying in good standing with Florida is an ongoing one — and the annual report deadline catches more business owners off guard than the formation process does.

• Articles of Incorporation filing fee: $70, paid to the Florida Division of Corporations at the time of filing

• Annual report: due between January 1 and May 1 each year; the filing fee for corporations is $150. Missing the May 1 deadline adds a $400 late fee

• Registered agent: required every year; you can serve as your own if you have a Florida street address, or use a registered agent service

• Corporate income tax: C Corporations with Florida nexus pay a 5.5% corporate income tax on federal taxable income above $50,000 and file Form F-1120 with the Florida Department of Revenue

Florida tax registration

Beyond the EIN, most Florida corporations need to register with the Florida Department of Revenue. If your business sells taxable goods or services, you need to collect and remit Florida sales tax — registration is done by filing Form DR-1 with the Department of Revenue.

C Corporations with Florida nexus also need to register for corporate income tax and file Form F-1120 annually. S Corporations are generally exempt from Florida's corporate income tax because income passes through to shareholders — but a tax professional can help you figure out whether any exceptions apply to your situation.