Florida Division of Corporations

How Much Does a Corporation Cost in Florida?

Forming a corporation in Florida means filing the Articles of Incorporation with the Florida Division of Corporations. The calculator below separates official government fees from estimates, and fixed costs from variable ones.

Entity type

LLC Corporation

An S corporation is a federal tax election, not a state entity type — both LLCs and corporations may qualify for it.

Registered agent

Act as my own agent — $0Generally allowed if you have an in-state address and are available during business hoursHire a service — about $200/yrMarket estimate (typically $100–$300/yr), not a state fee

First-year government fees — Florida Corporation

$70

Official state fees

Articles of Incorporation (includes registered agent designation)$70

Ongoing fixed fees

Annual report feeDue each year between January 1 and May 1, beginning the calendar year after formation$150 / yr

≈ $150/yr annualized for comparison — actual payment schedule shown above.

Five-year outlook

Fixed government fees (5 yrs)$670

Estimated total (5 yrs)$670

Varies by business — excluded from totals

Florida corporate income tax. Florida imposes a 5.5% corporate income tax on Florida-apportioned net income after exemptions; many small corporations owe little or nothing, and S corporations are generally not subject to it. The amount depends entirely on income.

Educational estimate based on official fee schedules verified July 12, 2026 — not legal or tax advice. Fees, rules, and processing times change; confirm with the state or a qualified professional before relying on them.

The numbers behind this page

Every figure comes from the typed data record for Florida, verified July 12, 2026 against the sources listed at the bottom of this page.

Formation fees — Florida Corporation
Fee	Amount	Schedule	Type
Articles of Incorporation (includes registered agent designation) Breakdown: $35 filing fee plus a mandatory $35 registered agent designation fee.	$70	One-time	Official state fee

Recurring & conditional obligations — Florida Corporation
Fee	Amount	Schedule	Type
Annual report fee Filed after May 1, the state charges $550 total (a $400 late fee applies).	$150	AnnualDue each year between January 1 and May 1, beginning the calendar year after formation	Official state fee
Florida corporate income tax Florida imposes a 5.5% corporate income tax on Florida-apportioned net income after exemptions; many small corporations owe little or nothing, and S corporations are generally not subject to it. The amount depends entirely on income.	Varies	VariableReturn generally due the first day of the fifth month after the tax year ends	Official state fee

† Partially verified — corroborated but not confirmed on a machine-readable official page.

Filing process & processing times

File online through Sunbiz or by mail with the Division of Corporations.

Processing options for Florida Corporation filings
Option	Typical turnaround	Added fee	Notes
Standard processing (online)	2–5 business days	None	Florida does not offer a paid expedited option; filings are processed in the order received

Processing times are estimates based on currently available official guidance and change with filing volume — they are not guaranteed.

Registered agent costs

Every Florida Corporationmust continuously maintain a registered agent with a physical in-state address. Acting as your own agent costs $0 where you meet the state's eligibility rules; commercial services typically run $100–$300 per year. The calculator uses $200 — the midpoint of that range — when you choose a hired service.

Midpoint of the typical advertised price range for national commercial registered-agent services as of July 2026 (e.g. Northwest Registered Agent $125/yr, ZenBusiness $199/yr, LegalZoom $249/yr). Budget providers advertise below this range and premium corporate-service firms above it. Serving as your own agent costs $0 where you meet state eligibility rules.

Worth knowing about Florida

Florida has no state personal income tax; LLCs taxed as pass-through entities generally owe no Florida income tax.
Missing the May 1 annual report deadline adds a $400 late fee, and entities that never file are administratively dissolved in late September.

Florida Corporation cost FAQs

How much does it cost to start a corporation in Florida?

The Florida Division of Corporations charges $70 to file the Articles of Incorporation. That figure excludes optional services and any variable taxes, which depend on your circumstances.

What are the ongoing costs of a corporation in Florida?

Florida corporations generally must pay the annual report fee of $150 per year (due each year between January 1 and May 1, beginning the calendar year after formation). In addition, florida corporate income tax may apply depending on your revenue, assets, or activity — these are variable, so they aren't included in fixed totals.

How long does it take to form a corporation in Florida?

Standard processing generally takes about 2–5 business days. Florida does not currently offer a paid expedited tier for this filing. Processing times change with filing volume, so confirm current turnaround with the state before relying on a date.

Do I need a registered agent for a corporation in Florida?

Yes. Every Florida corporation must continuously maintain a registered agent with a physical address in the state to receive legal and official mail. You can generally act as your own agent at no cost if you meet the state's eligibility rules, or hire a commercial service — typically $100–$300 per year. Whether serving as your own agent is practical depends on your circumstances, including privacy and availability during business hours.

How does the Florida florida corporate income tax work for corporations?

Florida imposes a 5.5% corporate income tax on Florida-apportioned net income after exemptions; many small corporations owe little or nothing, and S corporations are generally not subject to it. The amount depends entirely on income. Return generally due the first day of the fifth month after the tax year ends. Because the amount depends on factors like revenue or assets, it is shown separately and never folded into the fixed totals above. Consult a qualified tax professional about how it may apply to you.

What this page doesn't cover

Federal, state, and local taxes beyond the fixed fees shown — income-dependent taxes are listed as variable obligations and never included in exact totals.
Business licenses, local permits, industry-specific registrations, and DBA filings.
Attorney, accountant, or filing-service fees beyond the labeled registered-agent estimate.
Whether a corporation — or Florida — is the right choice for your situation. FormedIn provides general educational information, not legal, tax, accounting, or financial advice, and nothing here recommends an entity type or formation state for any specific person.

Fees, rules, deadlines, and processing times change. Confirm current requirements with the Florida Division of Corporations and consult a qualified attorney, CPA, or tax professional about your specific circumstances.

Sources

Florida data last verified July 12, 2026.

Fees — Division of Corporations— Florida Department of State, Division of CorporationsOfficialaccessed July 12, 2026
Corporate Income Tax— Florida Department of RevenueOfficialaccessed July 12, 2026
How Much Does a Registered Agent Cost? 2026 Guide— RegisteredAgentCost.comaccessed July 12, 2026
How Much Does a Registered Agent Cost?— ZenBusinessaccessed July 12, 2026