Here's what you need in Florida
Official state business portal: Open MyFlorida Business. Open MyFlorida Business is the state's business information portal. Enter the type of business you want to start and it builds a checklist of the government requirements for it.
| What you need | Who issues it | Official fee | Links | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General state business licenseNo general state business license. Florida has no general state business license. When asked where to get a business license, the Division of Corporations points to your county for occupational licenses and to the Department of Business and Professional Regulation for professional licenses. | Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations | Not needed | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Form an LLCArticles of Organization. File Articles of Organization with the Florida Division of Corporations (Sunbiz). The total includes the required registered agent designation. | Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations | $125 ($100 filing fee plus $25 registered agent fee) | Applyat dos.fl.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Business name (DBA)Fictitious Name Registration. Fictitious names (DBAs) are registered at the state level with the Florida Division of Corporations, not with the county. You can file online on Sunbiz. | Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations | $50 filing fee | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Sales tax permitSales and Use Tax Certificate of Registration. If you sell taxable goods or services in Florida, register with the Department of Revenue using the Florida Business Tax Application. You get a Certificate of Registration to display at your business. | Florida Department of Revenue | Fee not published.Ask the agency | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Unemployment insurance (once you hire)Reemployment tax registration. Florida calls unemployment tax reemployment tax, and the Department of Revenue registers employers. Register with the Florida Business Tax Application once you meet the payroll or employee test; the tax is paid on the first part of each employee's wages. | Florida Department of Revenue | You pay tax on wages | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Federal tax ID (EIN)Employer Identification Number (EIN). You need an EIN if you have employees or pay certain federal taxes, and banks often ask for one. Apply online with the IRS and you get the number in minutes. | Internal Revenue Service (IRS) | Free | Applyat irs.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
Costs after you start
What an LLC in Florida pays or files after it is formed.
| What you need | Who issues it | Official fee | Links | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual ReportEvery Florida LLC files an Annual Report with the Division of Corporations each year, online at Sunbiz. A large late fee applies if it arrives after May 1. | Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations | $138.75 a year ($538.75 if received after May 1) | Applyat dos.fl.govSource | Nov 7, 2026 |
Licenses by type of business
State level licenses. Your city or county may add its own permits.
| What you need | Who issues it | Official fee | Links | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hair salon, barber shop or nail salonCosmetology Salon License. A cosmetology salon needs a Florida cosmetology salon license from the Department of Business and Professional Regulation before it opens, and it is inspected after the license is issued. The salon license does not need the cosmetology exam; the fee is shown on the application. | Florida Board of Cosmetology (Department of Business and Professional Regulation) | Fee not published.Ask the agency | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Child care in your homeFamily child care home license or registration. A family child care home must be licensed if its county requires licensing; otherwise it must register with the Department of Children and Families every year. Registration needs background checks and a 30-hour training course. | Florida Department of Children and Families | Fee not published.Ask the agency | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Selling alcohol (bar or restaurant)Alcoholic beverage license. Bars and restaurants get an alcoholic beverage license from the Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco. The state license tax depends on the type of license and the population of the county. | Florida Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco (DBPR) | Depends on the license type and county population (for example $1,820 for on-premises sales in a county over 100,000 people) | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| General contractorCertified or Registered Contractor License. Florida requires contractors to be state certified (to work anywhere in the state) or registered (to work in a local area) before contracting. Certification requires passing a state exam. | Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board (DBPR) | Fee not published.Ask the agency | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
| Selling homemade food (cottage food)Cottage food operation (Florida Statutes 500.80). You can make cottage foods at home and sell them directly to consumers without a state food permit, including online or by mail, as long as products are labeled and yearly sales stay under the cap. Wholesale sales are not allowed. | Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services | Not needed | Source | Nov 7, 2026 |
What is different in Florida
- At $125, the LLC filing fee is near the middle: 31 of 49 verified states charge less and 14 charge more.
- Where to file a business name (DBA): Fictitious names (DBAs) are registered at the state level with the Florida Division of Corporations, not with the county. You can file online on Sunbiz.
- Homemade food sales are capped at $250,000 a year (gross sales). Of the 16 states where we verified a cap, 0 allow more.
- Annual Report: $138.75 a year ($538.75 if received after May 1). Every Florida LLC files an Annual Report with the Division of Corporations each year, online at Sunbiz. A large late fee applies if it arrives after May 1.
Steps to start a business in Florida
Pick a structure and register it
Sole owners can start under their own name. To form an LLC, file the Articles of Organization with the Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations ($125).
Get a free EIN
Apply on irs.gov. You need it to hire, and banks usually ask for it. Never pay a website for an EIN.
Register your business name
If you trade under a name that is not your legal name, file a DBA with the Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations.
Register for sales tax
If you sell taxable goods or services, get your permit from the Florida Department of Revenue before your first sale.
Get a state license for your type of business
Salons, child care, alcohol, building work and home food each have their own state rules. See the table above.
Check city and county permits
Ask about a local business license, zoning, health and building permits before you sign a lease.
Register as an employer when you hire
Open a state unemployment insurance tax account with the Florida Department of Revenue.
City and county permits
Cities and countys in Florida can require their own business license, zoning approval, health permit or building permit. Rules change from place to place, so ask your city hall and county clerk before you sign a lease. Home businesses often need a home occupation permit.
In the biggest cities, ask these local governments:
- Jacksonville: the combined City of Jacksonville and Duval County. Local Business Tax Receipt (taxcollector.jacksonville.gov), City of Jacksonville (jacksonville.gov)
- Miami: the city, and Miami-Dade County. City of Miami (miami.gov)
- Tampa: the city, and Hillsborough County. Local Business Tax Receipt (tampa.gov), City of Tampa (tampa.gov)
- Orlando: the city, and Orange County. Business Tax Receipt (orlando.gov), City of Orlando (orlando.gov)
City rules and fees are not in our guide yet.
Questions about business licenses in Florida
Do I need a business license in Florida?
No. Florida has no general state business license. When asked where to get a business license, the Division of Corporations points to your county for occupational licenses and to the Department of Business and Professional Regulation for professional licenses.
How much is a business license in Florida?
There is no general state business license fee in Florida. A local business license, if your city or county requires one, is priced by that city or county. State licenses for some types of business have their own fees, listed on this page.
How much is an LLC in Florida?
The Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations charges $125 ($100 filing fee plus $25 registered agent fee) to file the Articles of Organization. File Articles of Organization with the Florida Division of Corporations (Sunbiz). The total includes the required registered agent designation.
How much does an LLC cost per year in Florida?
Annual Report: $138.75 a year ($538.75 if received after May 1). Every Florida LLC files an Annual Report with the Division of Corporations each year, online at Sunbiz. A large late fee applies if it arrives after May 1.
Does an LLC need a business license in Florida?
Yes, if your type of business or your location requires one. Forming an LLC only registers your company with the state; it is not a license. An LLC in Florida still needs any state license for its type of business and any local business license from its city or county.
Do I need a sales tax permit in Florida?
Yes, if you sell taxable goods or services. If you sell taxable goods or services in Florida, register with the Department of Revenue using the Florida Business Tax Application. You get a Certificate of Registration to display at your business.
How much is a DBA in Florida?
Fictitious names (DBAs) are registered at the state level with the Florida Division of Corporations, not with the county. You can file online on Sunbiz. Official fee: $50 filing fee.
Can I sell homemade food from home in Florida?
You can make cottage foods at home and sell them directly to consumers without a state food permit, including online or by mail, as long as products are labeled and yearly sales stay under the cap. Wholesale sales are not allowed. Sales cap: $250,000 a year (gross sales).
Do contractors need a state license in Florida?
Florida requires contractors to be state certified (to work anywhere in the state) or registered (to work in a local area) before contracting. Certification requires passing a state exam.
Do I need an EIN?
You need an EIN if you have employees or pay certain federal taxes, and banks often ask for one. Apply online with the IRS and you get the number in minutes. It is free: never pay a website for an EIN.
Sources
Every fact on this page comes from an official government page, checked on the date shown. Facts we could not confirm are marked Not yet verified and show no number. How we check.
- General state business license Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Form an LLC Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Business name (DBA) Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Sales tax permit Florida Department of Revenue Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Unemployment insurance (once you hire) Florida Department of Revenue Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Official business portal State of Florida Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Hair salon, barber shop or nail salon Florida Board of Cosmetology (Department of Business and Professional Regulation) Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Child care in your home Florida Department of Children and Families Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Selling alcohol (bar or restaurant) Florida Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco (DBPR) Checked Nov 7, 2026
- General contractor Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board (DBPR) Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Selling homemade food (cottage food) Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Checked Nov 7, 2026
- Federal tax ID (EIN) Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Checked Nov 7, 2026