FLGood for non-residents

Forming a company in Florida

Florida processes filings quickly, charges no personal income tax, and sits at the centre of U.S.–Latin American commerce. It is one of the most active states for foreign-owned companies.

LLC, all in: $382
Corporation, all in: $296
Every year after: $138.75 every year
Typical timeline: Typically 2–5 business days — among the faster states.

Form in Florida Ask if it fits your business

The Short Version

Is Florida right for you?

Florida is a genuinely popular choice among international founders, particularly those trading with Latin America and the Caribbean. Miami functions as a commercial hub for the region, and a Florida entity is familiar to banks, suppliers and customers across it.

The state files fast — often within a couple of business days — and levies no personal income tax. Import/export businesses, eCommerce sellers shipping from Florida warehouses and service firms with Spanish-speaking clients all tend to land here for practical reasons rather than tax ones.

Two things to plan for. Member and manager details appear on the public record, so privacy is limited. And the annual report carries a hard deadline of 1 May with a $400 late penalty that the state does not waive — it is one of the most punitive late fees in the country, and it catches people every year.

Best suited to

Businesses trading with Latin America and the Caribbean
Import/export and logistics companies
eCommerce sellers using Florida fulfilment centres
Founders who want a fast, recognisable U.S. entity

Worth knowing first

The 1 May annual report deadline carries a $400 late fee with no grace period
Members and managers are published on the public record
Sales tax registration is likely if you sell physical goods into Florida

Tax Snapshot

What Florida taxes

A summary, not advice — your actual position depends on where you live, where your customers are, and how the company is treated federally.

Income tax

None personally. Corporations pay 5.5% state corporate income tax

Sales tax

6% state rate plus a county surtax

Franchise tax

None — an annual report fee applies instead

Good

Florida for a non-resident founder

Widely used by international founders and well recognised by banks, which makes account applications smoother than in less familiar states. Expect your name on the public record.

Staying Compliant

What Florida asks for every year

Formation is the easy part. These are the obligations that keep the company alive — and the ones people forget.

01
Annual Report
Due between 1 January and 1 May. $138.75 for an LLC. Filing late triggers a $400 penalty the state will not waive.
02
Registered Agent
A Florida street address, continuously maintained, with the agent’s signed acceptance on file.
03
Sales Tax
If you sell taxable goods into Florida, registration with the Department of Revenue is a separate obligation.

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Total to form your company

$304LLC

All-in — our service fee and the Wyoming state filing fee are both included.

Ongoing state cost: $60 minimum every year
Typical processing: 1–5 business days, then your EIN

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State fees reviewed August 2026 and can change without notice — we confirm your exact total in writing before anything is filed. Ongoing state costs are the state’s own charges and are not marked up by us.

Florida FAQ

Questions we get about Florida

What happens if I miss the 1 May deadline?

A $400 late fee, applied automatically and effectively never waived. Miss it long enough and the state administratively dissolves the company. We track this date for every Florida client because it is the single most expensive deadline in U.S. formation.

Why do so many Latin American founders pick Florida?

Proximity, banking familiarity and language. Miami is where the trade routes and the correspondent banking relationships already are, and a Florida entity reads as normal to everyone in that corridor.

Does Florida tax my LLC income?

Florida has no personal income tax, so a pass-through LLC generally faces no state income tax. Corporations pay 5.5%. Federal obligations are separate and still apply.

FormationXperts is not a law firm and does not provide legal or tax advice. Where needed, we coordinate with licensed professionals. We prepare and file your paperwork correctly; final approval and timelines are determined by the relevant government authority.

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Ready to form in Florida?

We will confirm your exact total in writing first — and tell you if a different state would serve you better.

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