Under the Florida Revised LLC Act, a foreign limited liability company may not “transact business” in Florida until it gets a “certificate of authority” from the Secretary of State. No design experience neccessary! When Must an Out-of-State LLC Register to Do Business in Florida? Check with your local library for books such as Mark Warda’s “How to Start a Business in Florida.” However, depending on the specifics of your business, you’ll want to consider some options before others. For returning users, enter your user profile credentials to log in and begin or complete the Florida Business Tax Registration application. Corporate entities are usually required to register with the Division of Corporations, while many professions are required to register with the Department of Business and Professional Regulation. HUBCO Incorporation Services performs business formation services; it is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice or legal services. Generally speaking, when a company has an employee working out of another state, the business must also be registered there in order for both the employee and the employer to pay the proper taxes. Form a Profit or Non-Profit Corporation; Online Filing: Profit Articles of Incorporation, Non-Profit Articles of Incorporation The state of Florida requests that businesses and occupations acquire permits or licenses in order to operate. Step 7: Apply for Business Licenses & Permits. Important! When your personal and business accounts are mixed, your personal assets (your home, car, and other valuables) are at risk in the event your business is sued. So you want to know how to start a business in Florida? Every Order Filed in 1 Business Day ! Step 2: Write a Business Plan. In addition to registering with the Department of State, most professions must register with the Department of Business and Professional Regulation. But even if you have no money of your own, if you know where to look, you’ll find that there are a bunch of funding options out there. Florida businesses may be required to register with the local county. It’s never too soon to start organizing your business’s finances! We spend hundreds of hours per month updating and refining our content as things change, but to be used as-is. Starting a Business in Florida. Under Florida law, e-mail addresses are public records. You also must register your business with the … A designated business bank account also makes accounting and tax filing easier. Department of Business and Professional Regulation 2. Obtaining a Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN), Department of Business and Professional Regulation, Department of Financial Services, Division of Workers’ Compensation, Division of Corporations phone directory, Division of Corporations filing forms – Download and print them now, The official business link to the U.S. Government, State of Florida Limited Liability Companies (LLCs), File a Foriegn Limited Liability Company in Florida, Basic Requirements to File Articles of Incorporation Florida. Register your business with the Department of Revenue. Step 2: Identify Your Type of Business. Register with the IRS. Corporate entities or fictitious name registrants should register with the Department of State. Now that you’ve made it through registering and setting up taxes and licensing for your business, you’ll need to take steps to protect your personal assets and establish your business as an independent entity. This final step is one that never really ends: marketing your business. A good business credit score will help establish your business’s fundability. Doing Business in Florida. We go over forming a USP, marketing plan, executive summary, sales forecast, and everything else you’ll want to include. Step 4: Register a Business Name. Make sure to sync up your banking and credit card accounts with an accounting software like QuickBooks as soon as you get the chance. A business credit card helps you separate personal and business expenses. There are a number of programs out there that can assist you with every aspect of your business plan. If you’re having trouble finding the perfect business idea for you, we encourage you to check them out! A DBA is used for branding purposes. 1. Recommended: Read our Best Banks for Startups and Entrepreneurs review to find the best online bank, eCommerce banks, the best for tech startups, real estate investment banks, and more. If all you need is a general business license, this step can probably be handled without professional assistance. Original theme created by Chris Pearson. County occupational licenses are typically obtained from the local county government. Instead, contact this office by phone or in writing. Business License: The next step is the business license or occupational license with the county. To register a vehicle in a company name in Florida, you must pay the required fee that covers your tag, taxes, registration certificate and validation decal. When you're ready to design your brand logo, keep the following ideas in mind: You can also use our free logo maker tool to make one yourself! All four names refer to the same type of entity. Another hugely important aspect of your brand image is your business website -- but that doesn’t necessarily mean you have to build a website from the ground up. Depending on the nature of your business, your tax, license and permit requirements may be quite complex or super simple and straightforward. The first step in starting a business and getting a business license in Florida is to register a unique name of the company. For questions while starting a business, we recommend consulting with an attorney or accountant. Local options, like First Bank and Community Credit Union, and national banks, like Chase, both have their perks. You can go a long way in protecting your assets with these five steps: A business bank account separates your personal assets from your company's assets, which is necessary for personal asset protection. Learn more about us. It’s also a good idea to consider a business planning software. This will help separate you from liability incurred by the LLC. Some of the links may be affiliate links, earning us a small commission if you decide to use them, allowing us to continue creating content. Registering your Florida company as a legal business entity, such as an LLC or a Corporation, has two major advantages: Increased credibility; Protection from personal liability in the event your business is sued; For most small businesses, registering an LLC is a great option. Download and print filing forms from the Division of Corporations FYI: Getting Started with a Florida Business. Learn what it takes to start a business in Florida. Here are a few resources for you to check out to ensure your business becomes compliant on a federal, state and local level. Make sure all documents are signed by a representative of your LLC and not by you (or other LLC members) directly. To open up a bank account for your business, you’ll need to obtain an EIN (Employer Identification Number). First you must register with the state, obtain a license from the county, remit necessary taxes, open a business bank account and obtain a federal employee identification number. 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