Every Florida LLC must file an annual report with the Florida Department of State each year — even if nothing about the business has changed. The report itself takes about five minutes to complete online, but missing the deadline triggers a $400 penalty that the state will not waive for any reason.
This guide covers everything you need to know: the exact deadline, filing fee, what information you’ll need, how to file step by step on Sunbiz, and what happens if you fall behind.
This is the only official filing portal. You’ll need your LLC’s document number and a valid payment method.
What Is the Florida LLC Annual Report?
The Florida LLC annual report is a mandatory filing required under Florida Statutes § 605.0212. Despite its name, it is not a financial statement. You don’t report revenue, expenses, or profits. Instead, the report confirms and updates basic business information: your registered agent, principal office address, mailing address, and the names and titles of your LLC’s members or managers.
The state uses this filing to maintain current records for every active business entity in Florida. It also generates revenue — the annual report fee is one of the primary funding mechanisms for the Florida Division of Corporations.
Every active Florida LLC must file, regardless of whether the business earned income, signed contracts, or conducted any operations during the year.
Florida LLC Annual Report: Key Facts at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Filing Fee | $138.75 |
| Certificate of Status (Optional) | $5 |
| Filing Deadline | May 1 each year |
| Late Fee | $400 (automatic, non-waivable) |
| Where to File | Sunbiz.org |
| Dissolution Date | Fourth Friday of September |
| Legal Authority | Florida Statutes § 605.0212 |
When Is the Florida LLC Annual Report Due?
The annual report is due between January 1 and May 1 of each calendar year. Filing within this window costs $138.75 with no additional fees or penalties.
First-Year LLCs: When Your First Report Is Due
If you formed your LLC in 2025, your first annual report is due by May 1, 2026. Florida law requires the first annual report in the calendar year after the LLC’s formation year. So an LLC formed on December 28, 2025, still has until May 1, 2026, to file — the same deadline as an LLC formed on January 3, 2025. The formation date within the year doesn’t matter; only the formation year matters.
Filing Window and Exact Deadline
Many LLC owners are caught off guard because the state sends courtesy email reminders, but these are not guaranteed. The legal responsibility to file on time falls entirely on the LLC owner, not on the state. Set a calendar reminder for early January each year so you can file early and not think about it again.
Complete Deadline Sequence for 2026
Here’s exactly how the 2026 annual report timeline works, from start to finish:
- January 1, 2026 — Filing window opens. You can file your annual report starting today.
- May 1, 2026 (11:59 PM ET) — Filing deadline. Reports filed on or before this date cost $138.75.
- May 2, 2026 (12:01 AM ET) — Late fee kicks in. Any filing from this point forward costs $538.75 ($138.75 + $400 non-waivable penalty). Your LLC remains active but is now subject to the penalty.
- Third Friday of September, 2026 — Last chance to file and avoid dissolution. Your LLC is still active, but the dissolution process begins if you haven’t filed by the close of business on this date.
- Fourth Friday of September, 2026 (close of business) — Administrative dissolution. If your annual report has not been filed by this date, the Florida Department of State administratively dissolves your LLC. Your LLC ceases to exist as an active legal entity.
How Much Does the Florida LLC Annual Report Cost?
Filing Fee
The standard annual report filing fee for a Florida LLC is $138.75. This fee applies whether you file on January 1 or May 1 — there’s no discount for early filing or surcharge for filing closer to the deadline (as long as you file by May 1).
Certificate of Status (Optional)
When filing your annual report, you can request an optional Certificate of Status for $5. This certificate confirms your LLC is active and in good standing with the state through the current calendar year. It’s not required for the filing itself, but banks, partners, lenders, and licensing agencies sometimes request it as proof of good standing. If you add it during your annual report filing, the certificate will be emailed to the address you provide.
You can also request a Certificate of Status separately at any time through Sunbiz — it doesn’t have to be bundled with the annual report. But adding it during filing is the simplest approach.
Late Fee
If you file even one minute after the May 1 deadline, a $400 late fee is automatically added to your filing cost. This penalty is non-negotiable — the state will not waive it regardless of the reason for the delay. That brings the total cost of a late filing to $538.75 ($138.75 + $400).
Reinstatement Fee (If Dissolved)
If you fail to file by the third Friday of September, the state will administratively dissolve your LLC on the fourth Friday of September. To bring your LLC back, you must file a reinstatement application and pay $100 plus $138.75 for each year of missed reports. Reinstatement restores your LLC retroactively to its original dissolution date.
Other Potential Costs
If you use a third-party filing service instead of filing directly through Sunbiz, you may pay an additional service fee. For example, Northwest Registered Agent charges $100/year (plus the state filing fee) to handle your annual report filing. Registered Agents Inc. offers annual report and state compliance support as well. These services are optional — you can always file directly on Sunbiz at no extra cost beyond the $138.75 state fee.
What Information Do You Need to File?
Before you start the filing on Sunbiz, gather the following:
- Your LLC’s document number (6- or 12-digit number assigned at formation)
- Your FEIN/EIN (Federal Employer Identification Number)
- Principal office address (does not need to be in Florida)
- Mailing address (if different from principal office)
- Registered agent name and Florida street address
- Names, titles, and addresses of all LLC members or managers
- A credit card, debit card, check, or prepaid Sunbiz account for payment
How to File Your Florida LLC Annual Report: Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Go to the Sunbiz Filing Portal
Navigate to services.sunbiz.org and click Annual Report under Filing Services. Be careful of third-party websites that look official but are not affiliated with the state and may charge unnecessary fees. The real site will display “Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations” in the header.
Step 2: Enter Your Document Number
You’ll be prompted to enter your LLC’s document number. This is the 6- or 12-digit number assigned when your LLC was formed. If you don’t know it, search for your LLC on the Sunbiz business entity search page to look it up.
Step 3: Review and Update Your Information
The form will display your LLC’s current information on file. Review each field carefully: verify or update your FEIN/EIN, confirm or change your principal office address, and confirm or change your mailing address.
If your EIN field shows “Applied For,” you’ll need to enter your actual number before continuing. Contact the IRS at 1-800-829-4933 if you haven’t received your EIN yet.
Step 4: Confirm Your Registered Agent
Review your registered agent’s name and Florida street address. If your agent has changed, you can update it here — but the new agent must sign and accept the designation for the change to take effect.
Step 5: Review Principals (Members/Managers)
Verify or update the names, titles, and addresses of your LLC’s members or managers. At least one principal must be listed.
Step 6: Pay the Filing Fee
Pay $138.75 using one of these methods:
- Credit or debit card — Visa, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express. Payments are processed through NIC Services, LLC (dba Tyler Payment Services). The charge on your statement will appear as “NIC DOS DIVISION OF CORP.”
- Check or money order — Select “Pay by Check” to generate a payment voucher. Print the voucher, include your check (payable to Florida Department of State), and mail both by May 1 (postmark date counts).
- Prepaid Sunbiz E-File Account — Available if you’ve previously set up and funded a prepaid account (minimum $300).
You can also add an optional Certificate of Status for $5 at this step.
Step 7: Save Your Confirmation
After payment, you’ll receive a confirmation email. Save it. You can also download an image of your filed report at no charge from the Sunbiz website after it’s been processed and posted. Keep this for your records — you may need it for banking, licensing, or partnership verification.
What Happens If You Miss the Deadline?
Missing the May 1 deadline sets off a two-phase penalty process. Understanding both phases is important because the costs at each stage are different.
Phase 1: Late Filing (May 2 – Third Friday of September)
If you file after May 1 but before the third Friday of September, your LLC remains active, but you owe the $400 late fee on top of the standard $138.75 filing fee. Total: $538.75. The late fee is applied automatically and cannot be appealed, waived, or reduced.
Phase 2: Administrative Dissolution (Fourth Friday of September)
If you still haven’t filed by the close of business on the fourth Friday of September, the Florida Department of State will administratively dissolve your LLC under Florida Statutes § 605.0714. This means your LLC ceases to be an active legal entity. During the dissolution period, your LLC cannot legally conduct business, enter contracts, file lawsuits, or maintain certain licenses.
To reinstate, you’ll need to file a reinstatement application and pay $100 plus any owed annual report fees ($138.75 per year missed). Reinstatement restores your LLC retroactively, but the operational disruption during the dissolved period is real.
Late Fee vs. Reinstatement: When the Math Changes
If you’ve already missed the May 1 deadline, you might notice that the numbers create an unusual situation.
Filing late (before dissolution) costs $538.75 ($138.75 filing fee + $400 late penalty). If your LLC is administratively dissolved on the fourth Friday of September and you reinstate before December 31 of the same calendar year, the cost is $238.75 ($100 reinstatement fee + $138.75 for the missed annual report).
That’s a $300 difference in out-of-pocket cost. But the financial comparison alone does not tell the full story.
Do You Need a Registered Agent to File?
Every Florida LLC must maintain a registered agent with a valid Florida street address on file. This is a requirement under Florida Statutes § 605.0113, not an optional service. Your registered agent receives official state correspondence, legal documents, and service of process on behalf of your LLC. They must be available at the listed address during normal business hours.
However, you do not need to hire a commercial registered agent service. Florida law provides three options:
- You (the LLC owner) — You can serve as your own registered agent if you have a physical street address in Florida (not a P.O. box) and are available during business hours to accept service of process.
- Another individual — Any Florida resident who is at least 18 years old can serve as your registered agent, including a friend, family member, or business associate.
- A commercial registered agent service — Companies like Northwest Registered Agent or Registered Agents Inc. provide professional registered agent services for an annual fee.
Many LLC owners start by serving as their own agent and switch to a commercial service later — especially if they move out of state, want more privacy, or manage multiple LLCs. Either approach is fully compliant with Florida law.
Northwest has been providing registered agent services for over 25 years across all 50 states. Their registered agent service is $125/year (first year free if you also use them for LLC formation). They can also file your Florida annual report for you ($100/year plus state fees) and send deadline reminders at least 90 days in advance. Northwest doesn’t sell customer data, and each customer is assigned a dedicated Corporate Guide — a real person, not a chatbot.
Can a Compliance Service File for You?
Yes. If you’d rather not track deadlines and file yourself each year, several services offer annual report filing as part of their compliance packages.
Northwest Registered Agent can file your Florida annual report for you. Their annual report service costs $100/year plus the state filing fee ($138.75). This includes filing the report, monitoring the deadline, and sending you reminders well in advance.
Registered Agents Inc. offers annual report and state-filing compliance support. Their compliance packages include registered agent service, annual report filing, and other state maintenance tasks.
Compare service scope before choosing a provider. Each company structures its compliance packages differently in terms of what’s included, pricing, and additional features.
→ Learn more about Northwest Registered Agent
→ Learn more about Registered Agents Inc.
5 Common Mistakes When Filing Your Florida LLC Annual Report
1. Filing on a fake Sunbiz site. Several third-party websites mimic the Sunbiz layout and charge inflated fees for a service you can do yourself for free. Always verify you’re on services.sunbiz.org. Look for “Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations” in the header.
2. Assuming you’ll get a reminder. The Division of Corporations sends courtesy email reminders, but delivery is not guaranteed. If your email address on file is outdated, you won’t receive the reminder — and the state still considers you responsible for filing on time.
3. Trying to change your LLC name on the annual report. The annual report form does not allow name changes. If you need to change your LLC’s name, you must file Articles of Amendment separately.
4. Entering a Social Security Number instead of an EIN. The FEIN/EIN field is for your federal employer identification number only. Do not enter your personal Social Security Number. Information on the annual report becomes public record.
5. Forgetting to update your registered agent. If your registered agent has changed (or you’ve moved and are serving as your own agent), update this information on the annual report. An outdated registered agent address means you could miss important legal notices.
6. Skipping the Certificate of Status when you actually need one. If you’re applying for a business loan, renewing a license, or entering a partnership, the other party may require proof of good standing. The $5 Certificate of Status during your annual report filing is the easiest way to get it. Requesting it separately later takes more time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to file a Florida LLC annual report if my LLC had no activity?
Yes. The annual report is required every year regardless of whether your LLC generated revenue, signed contracts, or had any business activity.
How much does the Florida LLC annual report cost?
The filing fee is $138.75 if filed by May 1. Late filings incur an additional $400 non-waivable penalty, bringing the total to $538.75. You can also add an optional Certificate of Status for $5.
When is the Florida LLC annual report due?
The report is due between January 1 and May 1 each year. For 2026, the filing window opens January 1, 2026, and closes at 11:59 PM ET on May 1, 2026.
Can I file my Florida LLC annual report by mail?
The report itself must be filed online through Sunbiz. However, you can choose to pay by check — in which case you file online, generate a payment voucher, and mail the check with the voucher. The postmark date counts as your filing date.
What happens if I miss the Florida LLC annual report deadline?
Filing after May 1 results in an automatic $400 late fee. If the report is still not filed by the fourth Friday of September, the state administratively dissolves your LLC. Reinstatement requires a $100 fee plus all owed annual report fees.
Do foreign LLCs registered in Florida need to file an annual report?
Yes. Foreign LLCs (LLCs formed in another state but registered to do business in Florida) must also file an annual report with the same deadline and fee structure.
Do I need to hire a commercial registered agent?
No. You can serve as your own registered agent, designate another Florida resident, or hire a commercial service. The key requirement is that your registered agent has a physical Florida street address (not a P.O. box) and is available during business hours.
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Set a calendar reminder for January 1 and file early. If managing compliance across multiple entities or states is becoming a burden, a professional service can handle it for you.