Florida Sun Biz (2024)

FAQs

What is Sunbiz Florida? ›

Sunbiz is the state division where Florida companies are registered or where Florida Foreign Qualification applications are submitted for approval.

You can search our database by: Entity Name – lists business entities and registrations by name. Results include the document number and status of each record.

Go to the Florida Division of Corporations' database here. Search by name for your chosen LLC name. To start, omit the phrase Limited Liability Company or its abbreviations (LLC or L.L.C.) for an LLC, or "Inc" for a Corporation.

Sunbiz.org is the official corporate registry for the State of Florida. If a company clicks on the link in the scam email, it does not take them to sunbiz.org. Plus, filing your Annual Report through this scam email is more expensive than filing it on sunbiz.org.

The EIN identifies your business to the IRS, the same way a Social Security Number identifies a person. You could also think of the EIN as your “account number” with the IRS. Note: An EIN is not issued by the Florida Secretary of State or SunBIZ. It is only issued by the IRS.

The concept of “renewing an LLC” is essentially the filing of its Annual Report in Florida and like with all other entities, they must be filed yearly to remain active and in good standing with the Florida Department of State.

While sole proprietors and partnerships may not be obligated to register, corporations and LLCs will likely need to do so. You may also have to obtain specific licenses and permits, such as a sales tax permit from the Florida Department of Revenue.

Florida LLC Approval Times

Mail filings: In total, mail filing approvals for Florida LLCs take 3-4 weeks. This accounts for the 12 business day processing time, plus the time your documents are in the mail. Online filings: In total, online filing approvals for Florida LLCs take 5 business days.

You will receive your filing confirmation by email at the address you provided. Your confirmation will be sent to you once the document is examined and approved by the Division of Corporations. You will not receive a confirmation by U.S. Mail.

Establishing an LLC in Florida requires an initial payment of $125. The fee includes a $100 filing fee and a registered agent fee of $25. It's important to consider ongoing costs after starting an LLC, such as annual company filing fees and additional services associated with maintaining an LLC.

How to check if a company is legitimate? ›

An LLC will need an EIN if it has any employees or if it will be required to file any of the excise tax forms listed below. Most new single-member LLCs classified as disregarded entities will need to obtain an EIN. An LLC applies for an EIN by filing Form SS-4, Application for Employer Identification Number.

Businesses seeking privacy cannot directly anonymously form an LLC in Florida. However, they can still acheive privacy with a double LLC, a strategy that protects owner identities while following state regulations. This corporate structure offers the benefits of asset protection without disclosing ownership details.

What is a registered agent? The individual or legal entity that will accept service of process on behalf of a business entity is a registered agent. A business entity with an active Florida filing or registration may serve as a registered agent.

Frequent filers have the option of establishing a Prepaid Sunbiz E-File Account in order to submit documents by fax. A Prepaid Sunbiz E-File Account is similar to a debit or checking account. It provides you with an additional electronic payment option for most filings.

The fee for the annual report is $138.75. After May 1st a $400 late fee is added to the annual report filing fee. “Annual Report Reminder Notices” are sent to the e-mail address you provide us when you submit this document for filing. To file any time after January 1st, go to our website at www.sunbiz.org.

LLCs can have an unlimited number of members; S corps can have no more than 100 shareholders (owners). Non-U.S. citizens/residents can be members of LLCs; S corps may not have non-U.S. citizens/residents as shareholders. S corporations cannot be owned by corporations, LLCs, partnerships or many trusts.

865.09, F.S.). The sole purpose of registering a fictitious name is to inform the public which individual or business entity is transacting business under a particular name. This registration does not reserve the name or prevent another party from registering the same name.

Mail filings: In total, mail filing approvals for Florida LLCs take 3-4 weeks. This accounts for the 12 business day processing time, plus the time your documents are in the mail. Online filings: In total, online filing approvals for Florida LLCs take 5 business days.