Florida is a popular choice for founders who want a real US business presence with a straightforward filing process and a fast turnaround. This guide walks through what a Florida LLC actually costs in year one and after, what the state expects from you every year, and when a different state might serve you better.
Who Florida suits
Florida works well if you plan to have a genuine physical or operational tie to the state, such as a US-based team member, a warehouse, a client base concentrated there, or you simply like the idea of a well-known state with fast processing. It also suits founders who want a state with no personal income tax, which can simplify things if you or a partner ever live in Florida.
It is less of a natural fit if your business has no US footprint at all and you are choosing a state purely on cost and simplicity. In that case, other states may serve you better, which we cover further down.
What it costs in year one
Florida's LLC filing fee is $125. On top of that, you pay whichever PowerLaunch plan fits your stage. Here is what year one looks like on each plan, including the state fee.
| Plan | Plan fee | Florida filing fee | Year one total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Launch | $295 | $125 | $420 |
| Run | $1,995 | $125 | $2,120 |
| Scale | $2,995/yr or $329/mo | $125 | $3,120/yr (plus $125 if paying monthly) |
If you want your EIN faster than the standard timeline, the expedited EIN add-on is $295 on Launch and Run, and it is already included on Scale.
Florida's own processing is quick, typically around one week, which is faster than many other states. That said, your EIN timeline still depends on IRS processing for founders without a US Social Security number, which usually runs two to four weeks unless you add expedited service.
What it costs every year after
After year one, you are not paying a new filing fee. Florida requires an annual report instead, which carries a state cost of $138.75. So your ongoing yearly cost is your PowerLaunch plan fee plus $138.75.
| Plan | Plan fee | Florida annual report | Year two and beyond |
|---|---|---|---|
| Launch | $295 | $138.75 | $433.75 |
| Run | $1,995 | $138.75 | $2,133.75 |
| Scale | $2,995/yr | $138.75 | $3,133.75 |
On the Run and Scale plans, PowerLaunch files the annual report for you as part of the service. On Launch, you are responsible for filing it yourself with the state, so mark the deadline and check Florida's site for the exact date each year, since deadlines and amounts can shift.
Registered agent requirement
Florida requires every LLC to keep a registered agent with a physical Florida address on file, available during business hours to receive legal and state mail. This is not optional and it is not something you can skip if you live outside the US. Every PowerLaunch plan includes registered agent service, so this requirement is already handled from day one.
Annual report
Florida's annual report is a yearly filing that keeps your company in good standing. Miss it and the state can eventually administratively dissolve your LLC, which creates a real mess to unwind later. The report itself is usually simple, mostly confirming your business address and management details, but the state can change the deadline, the fee, or the process, so always check Florida's official site if something looks different from what is described here. On Run and Scale, this filing is part of what PowerLaunch handles for you each year.
State income tax position
Florida has no personal state income tax. For an LLC taxed as a pass-through, this generally means no state-level income tax hitting the owners at the personal level in Florida itself. This is a real advantage over states that do charge personal income tax.
That said, state tax treatment depends on where you and your business actually operate, not just where you formed the LLC. If you have ties to another state, that state may still tax you. And federal obligations apply regardless of which state you pick. A foreign-owned single-member LLC still needs to file Form 5472 with a pro forma 1120 by April 15 each year. Under the current 2026 interim FinCEN rule, US-formed companies are exempt from BOI reporting, but rules do shift, so it is worth checking for updates periodically.
When Wyoming or Delaware would be the better choice instead
Florida is a strong general-purpose choice, but it is not always the cheapest or the best fit.
Wyoming tends to suit founders who want the lowest possible ongoing state cost and no real US operations tied to a specific state. It also processes formations very quickly.
Delaware tends to suit founders who plan to raise venture capital, bring on institutional investors, or expect to need a C-Corporation structure that investors are used to seeing. Delaware's corporate law is well understood by US investors and lawyers, which matters more once outside funding enters the picture.
If neither of those describes your situation, and you want a real US-facing business identity with no personal income tax, Florida remains a solid, simple choice.
Step by step through PowerLaunch
- Pick your plan, Launch, Run, or Scale, based on how much ongoing bookkeeping and tax support you want.
- Complete checkout at powerlaunch.solutions/signup and pay your plan fee plus the $125 Florida filing fee.
- PowerLaunch prepares and files your LLC formation with the state of Florida.
- Your registered agent, virtual mailing address, and operating agreement are set up as part of your plan.
- Your EIN application goes to the IRS, expedited if you added that option.
- Once your EIN is issued, PowerLaunch can introduce you to Mercury, Wise Business, or Relay for a business bank account, though approval is always the bank's decision.
- On Run and Scale, your annual report and federal tax filings are handled as part of your ongoing plan.
What to do next
If you are ready to move forward, head to powerlaunch.solutions/signup and choose the plan that fits your stage. If you still have questions about Florida versus another state, or how the annual report and tax filings will work for your specific situation, book a free 20-minute consultation at powerlaunch.solutions/book and talk it through before you commit.
