Forming a Corporation or Limited Liability
Company (LLC) in FLORIDA
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We've compiled for you here material commonly associated
with incorporating or forming an LLC in Florida. While
we strive to maintain correct and current information, we
cannot guarantee its accuracy and strongly recommend you
verify all considerations and consult with a qualified
professional before incorporating or forming an LLC.
Business owners interested in maximum limited liability
protection for their business should consider a Florida corporation
or LLC. Leading the nation in the number of new business
formations, Florida has become one of the most popular “business-friendly” states.
Florida offers corporations and LLC’s a stable tax
structure and excellent incentives and is known to have a
pro-business and pro-technology climate. According to the
2006 census, Florida ranks 4th among all states in population,
labor force, and the number of business establishments.
As of this writing, the Florida
Division of Corporations’ online
information, research, and electronic processing service
center tells
us Florida is now home to over 880,000 profit corporations
and over 390,000 Limited Liability Companies (LLC’s).
The growing popularity of LLC’s is highlighted by the
fact that 130,251 Florida LLC’s were organized in 2006
-more than 5 times the number organized just 5 years earlier.
Business Structure
- One or more incorporators can form a Florida corporation.
- Corporate
shareholders/directors/officers and LLC members/managers
need not be Florida residents.
- A Florida corporation
can have one or more directors and all offices can be held
by one person.
- One person can be the sole director
as well as hold all of the offices of a Florida corporation.
- One person can be the sole member and/or manager of
a Florida LLC.
- One or more incorporators can form a
Florida corporation.
Location
- Shareholders, directors and officers of corporations
do not have to be residents of Florida, nor do members
and managers of LLC’s.
- A Florida corporation’s
main office need not be located in the state and the corporation
is not required to maintain offices in Florida.
- The
company does not have to maintain a bank account in Florida.
- Corporate records do not have to be kept in Florida.
Costs & Taxes
- Florida is one of the top
10 states having the most favorable tax climate for businesses.
- Florida
is one of the least expensive states in which to form a
corporation or an LLC.
- No minimum capital is required
to incorporate in Florida.
- Florida’s annual
charges for corporations are among the lowest.
- At
the time of posting this article, Florida has a 5.5% corporate
tax on federal taxable income exceeding $5,000 which does
not apply to S Corporations & LLC’s.
- There
is no personal income tax – guaranteed by Florida’s
constitution.
- Florida has no state inheritance
tax on shares owned by non-residents.
- Florida has
no taxes on stock transfers.
- There is no franchise
tax in Florida.
- Florida has no sales tax, no
state property taxes, and does not tax business inventories.
- Florida offers a number of sales and use tax exemptions.
Privacy
- Owners, directors and officers of Florida corporations
enjoy unique privacy.
- The names of Florida corporation
shareholders are not part of any public record. •
- Names
and addresses of initial directors of a Florida corporation
are listed in the articles of incorporation.
- Stock
can be transferred privately and without notice.
- Requirements
for reporting and disclosure are minimal.
Foreign Qualification
If you are considering forming your corporation or LLC in
Florida but you will not operate there, your company must foreign
qualify in
each of the other states in which you will be doing business,
and your company must have a registered
agent in
your state of formation as well as each of the states in
which you foreign
qualify.
IMPORTANT: MaxFilings always advises you to consult with
a professional who is familiar with all current laws and
regulations that are applicable in your jurisdiction. And
always seek the advice of a qualified “accountant”, “tax
advisor” or “financial planner” when addressing
tax issues. They are not only very complex but they are also
subject to interpretation.
Start
setting up your Florida Corporation or LLC now