Starting a Business in Florida: Licenses, Registrations & Checklist

Florida start-up checklist

Form your LLC or corporation with Florida Division of Corporations (Sunbiz). Official page
A trade name (DBA) is registered with the state.

Register for state taxes with Florida Department of Revenue. Official page
Business-level tax: Corporate income tax (C corporations only; no individual income tax).
Sales tax: get a Florida Certificate of Registration (sales and use tax) from Florida Department of Revenue before you sell taxable goods. Official page
Remote sellers must register once sales into the state pass $100,000 a year.
Local sales taxes are collected through the state return.
Florida has no wage withholding for state income tax.

Register for unemployment insurance with Florida Department of Revenue (Reemployment Tax). The 2026 taxable wage base is $7,000 per employee; experience-rated rates run from 0.1% to 5.4%. Official page
New employers start at 2.7%.
Workers' compensation through Florida Division of Workers' Compensation and private insurers. Required when: 4 employees (1 in construction)
Post the required labor notices at your workplace. Official page

File Annual Report (LLCs): every year by May 1; fee $138.75.
File Annual Report (corporations and nonprofits): every year by May 1; fee $150.
(limited partnerships): every year by May 1; fee $500.
(limited liability partnerships): every year by May 1; fee $25.
State tax returns and payments (sales, withholding, unemployment) follow the schedule your agency assigns when you register.

Business filings and annual reports: Florida Division of Corporations (Sunbiz). Official page
Taxes: Florida Department of Revenue. Official page
Unemployment insurance and labor rules: Florida Department of Revenue (Reemployment Tax). Official page
Workers' compensation: Florida Division of Workers' Compensation.
Contractor licensing: Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board (DBPR).
Real estate licensing: Florida Real Estate Commission.
Alcohol licensing: Florida Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco.
Child care licensing: Florida Department of Children and Families.
Health facility licensing: Florida Agency for Health Care Administration.

County and city Local Business Tax Receipt (County tax collector and city): Florida counties and cities each issue a Local Business Tax Receipt (renewed annually by September 30).
Cannabis: medical licensing only, regulated by Florida Office of Medical Marijuana Use (Department of Health).

Checked against official sources on October 13, 2026. Rules change; confirm each item with its agency.

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