Florida Small Business Compliance Requirements
The state and federal requirements that may apply to a small business or LLC in Florida — registrations, taxes, licenses, and ongoing renewals. Which ones apply to you depends on your entity type and how you operate.
Advisory guide — always verify with the linked official sources. Last reviewed 2026-06-13.
12 Florida requirements to know
These come from Florida state agencies. Not all apply to every business — each is labeled with who it applies to. Still figures out which are yours.
Articles of Organization (LLC)
Applies to: Florida LLCs
Forms your LLC with the FL Division of Corporations (Sunbiz).
Annual Report
Applies to: Florida LLCs
File the Sunbiz Annual Report by May 1 each year (~$138.75). Missing it brings a $400 late fee and eventual administrative dissolution.
Operating Agreement
Applies to: Florida LLCs
An operating agreement governs your LLC and is strongly recommended even though Florida does not require you to file it.
Draft — recommended; not filed with the state. Have an attorney review.
Articles of Incorporation
Applies to: Florida corporations
Forms your corporation with the FL Division of Corporations (Sunbiz).
Draft — confirm the correct form/fee with Sunbiz.
Annual Report (corporation)
Applies to: Florida corporations
FL corporations file the Sunbiz Annual Report each year to stay active.
Draft — confirm fee/date with Sunbiz.
Statement of Qualification — LLP (FL)
Applies to: Florida LLPs
To be a Florida LLP, file a Statement of Qualification with the Florida Division of Corporations (Sunbiz).
File via Sunbiz; confirm the current fee with the FL Division of Corporations.
Fictitious Name (DBA) — general partnership (FL)
Applies to: Florida general partnerships using a trade name
A Florida general partnership isn't required to register as an entity with the state, but if you do business under any name that differs from the partners' full legal names, you must register a fictitious name (DBA) with the Florida Division of Corporations under Fla. Stat. §865.09 ($50 fee).
Triggered only if your trade name differs from the partners' legal names; confirm the current fee with the FL Division of Corporations.
Certificate of Limited Partnership (FL)
Applies to: Florida limited partnerships
To form a Florida limited partnership you must file a Certificate of Limited Partnership with the Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations (online via Sunbiz at sunbiz.org).
File via Sunbiz; confirm the current fee with the FL Division of Corporations.
Sales & Use Tax registration
Applies to: Sellers of tangible goods in FL
Register for sales/use tax with the FL Dept of Revenue (Form DR-1).
Annual Resale Certificate (DR-13)
Applies to: Buyers reselling goods
Lets you buy inventory tax-free for resale; issued annually by the FL DOR.
Florida Reemployment Tax (RT-6)
Applies to: FL employers
Register with the FL Dept of Revenue and pay Reemployment Tax (RT-6).
Draft — confirm liability with the FL DOR.
Workers' compensation insurance (FL)
Applies to: FL employers
Florida generally requires workers' comp at 4+ employees (1+ in construction); thresholds vary by industry.
Draft — thresholds vary by industry/headcount; confirm with the FL DFS.
Not sure which of these apply to you?
That's the hard part — and it's exactly what Still does. Answer a few questions about your business and Still builds your personalized list: what applies, what's due, and what to verify — then tracks it for you.
Build my compliance listFederal requirements that may also apply
- Copyright registration — Creators of original works
- FDA Food Facility Registration — Facilities that manufacture/process/pack/hold food (incl. coffee roasters); no small-business size exemption
- FDA Prior Notice (imported food) — Anyone importing food (e.g. green coffee beans)
- EIN confirmation letter (CP575) — Any business with employees or a separate entity
- W-9 on file (your business) — Businesses paid by clients/payers
- Federal trademark registration — Brands protecting a name/logo nationally
- HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices — Practices handling patient health information that bill/transmit electronically (HIPAA covered entities)
- Children's Product Certificate (CPC) — Makers/importers of products designed primarily for children 12 and under
- FTC endorsement & #ad disclosure — Brands working with influencers/creators
- CAN-SPAM email compliance — Businesses sending marketing email
- Importer of record / customs & duties — Businesses importing goods from overseas
- Professional licensing, CE & insurance — Licensed professionals
- Business insurance (liability, product, E&O) — All businesses
- Cosmetic labeling (FDA / FPLA) — Cosmetic / personal-care brands
- Dietary supplement cGMP (21 CFR 111) — Dietary supplement brands
- Supplement Facts labeling + DSHEA claims — Dietary supplement brands
- Attorney licensing & trust accounting — Practicing attorneys
- Therapist licensing & ethics — Licensed therapists / counselors
- CPA license & CPE — Licensed accountants / CPAs
- Healthcare provider licensing — Licensed healthcare providers
- S-corporation election (Form 2553) — Businesses electing S-corp tax treatment
- S-corporation income tax return (Form 1120-S) — S-corporations
- C-corporation income tax return (Form 1120) — C-corporations
- Partnership return (Form 1065) — Partnerships
- Written partnership agreement — Multi-owner partnerships
- Quarterly payroll tax return (Form 941) — Employers with W-2 employees
- Federal unemployment tax (Form 940 / FUTA) — Employers with W-2 employees
- Annual wage statements (W-2 / W-3) — Employers with W-2 employees
- Employment eligibility verification (Form I-9) — Employers with W-2 employees
- New-hire reporting — Employers with W-2 employees
- Contractor 1099-NEC + W-9 collection — Businesses paying independent contractors
- Cause-marketing / commercial co-venturer — Brands advertising that sales benefit a charity
- Multi-state sales-tax nexus — Online sellers shipping to multiple states
- Cosmetic safety substantiation & adverse-event reporting — Cosmetic / personal-care brands
- FDA cosmetics facility registration & product listing (MoCRA) — Cosmetic / personal-care brands
- Investment adviser registration (Form ADV) — Advisers giving securities advice for compensation