How to Incorporate a Small Buisiness in Florida

Florida allows you to quickly incorporate your small business online.

Incorporating in Florida allows your business tax write-offs that would not be available if you remain a sole proprietor. Corporations can protect your assets in the event of litigation. Florida has invested funds to help you perform transactions and incorporate online. Incorporating online allows you to have your business legally established in a shorter amount of time than visiting the Department of State or mailing your filing documents.

Instructions

1. Visit the secretary of state website and perform a business entity search. Your business name must be unique and not shared with any other corporation in Florida. Click "Look up a business name" on the Florida Department of State website and type in your intended corporation name. If no results appear for your corporate name, then it is safe to use.

2. Draft your articles of incorporation. Hire an attorney or certified public accountant to draft articles of incorporation for you. Visit Florida's Department of State website and click on "electronic filing" to draft the articles of incorporation yourself using the template provided by Florida. Articles of incorporation is a formal document listing the owners, business address, shares issued and other pertinent details about the corporation.

3. Pay any fees necessary to file your corporation in Florida. The cost for incorporating in Florida is $78.75. This fee includes the filing fee, which is $35, the registered agent designation for another $35 and an optional certified copy of the articles of incorporation for $8.25. Use a major credit card to pay for filing your corporation online or use a check or money order available in filing in person or via mail.

4. Mail your articles of incorporation with the filing fee to Department of State Division of Corporations, Corporate Filings, P.O. Box 6327, Tallahassee, FL 32314 if you do not want to file the articles for incorporation online. The contact number for incorporating your business is 850-245-6052.

5. Keep any receipts or electronic documents that prove your electronic submission and payment. These records may be necessary to prove your business exists and the documents were issued to the secretary of state's office in the event there is a computer issue with your payment or filing.

Resources

• Sunbiz: Business entitiy search
• efile.sunbiz: Electronically Incorporate
• Sunbiz: Corporation Fee Schedule