Free guide · Florida

How to start a business in Florida.

Business formation in Florida runs through the Florida Division of Corporations (Sunbiz), the official government office. You can file there directly for just the state's own filing fee, and nobody can legalize your business "better" than the state itself. Fees change, so the current number is always on the official site.

Storing it saves Start a Business to your idea vault with the full checklist, free, so you can come back and launch when Florida paperwork day arrives.

Start with an idea

The 10 hottest business ideas to start in Florida right now.

Registration comes later. First, the fun part: the idea. These ten are tuned to Florida's real economy right now. Tap any one to explore it and find more like it inside the platform.

1. 1
   Vacation rental and property management

   Endless tourism makes short-term rentals a reliable, high-demand business.

2. 2
   Pool cleaning and maintenance

   Sunshine and backyard pools everywhere mean steady recurring revenue.

3. 3
   Boat and marine services

   One of the highest boat-ownership rates in the country needs upkeep.

4. 4
   Home health and senior care

   A massive retiree population fuels constant demand for in-home care.

5. 5
   Hurricane-prep and restoration services

   Storm season creates recurring demand for roofing, cleanup, and repair.

6. 6
   Tourism experiences and tours

   Beaches, theme parks, and the Keys draw visitors year-round.

7. 7
   Lawn care and landscaping

   A year-round growing season means twelve months of billable work.

8. 8
   Latin American import and trade services

   Miami is the gateway between the US and Latin America.

9. 9
   Fitness, beauty, and wellness

   Beach culture and disposable income drive spending on appearance and health.

10. 10
    Food trucks and coastal dining

    Warm weather and tourism keep mobile and casual food thriving.

Why Florida is a great place to build.

Florida charges no state income tax, which is a real reason so many people and businesses relocate here. The state's population and tourism keep growing, giving new businesses a constantly expanding customer base. Warm weather means year-round revenue for service, outdoor, and hospitality businesses.

Local help for Florida founders.

Florida founders have real, free help within reach. The state's Small Business Development Center (SBDC) network offers no-cost advising, and volunteer mentors through SCORE chapters have built businesses like yours. The Secretary of State and state commerce resources publish plain guides on formation, licensing, and taxes, so lean on them before you ever pay a middleman.

Florida, specifically.

Florida is sunshine, growth, and reinvention: people arrive from everywhere to start over, which keeps demand fresh. Miami is the gateway to Latin America, Orlando runs on tourism, and Tampa is booming with new arrivals. With no state income tax and endless newcomers, it is one of the best places in America to hang out a shingle.

The six steps, in order

1. 1

   Pick your business structure

   Most first businesses in Florida choose an LLC for the liability separation between the business and your personal life. Sole proprietorships are simpler but offer no separation; corporations fit businesses raising investment.

2. 2

   Check that your business name is free

   Search the Florida Division of Corporations (Sunbiz)'s business registry to confirm nobody in Florida already holds the name, and check the matching web domain at the same time. Our free name generator checks the domain with every name it suggests.

3. 3

   File your formation documents with the Florida Division of Corporations (Sunbiz)

   This is the official step that makes the business real. File directly on the state's own site and pay only Florida's filing fee. Every state requires a registered agent with a physical address in the state; if you live in Florida, you can usually be your own.

4. 4

   Get your EIN free from the IRS

   The Employer Identification Number is the business's tax ID. The IRS issues it directly at irs.gov in about five minutes, at no charge. Never pay anyone for an EIN alone. Get the EIN at irs.gov ↗

5. 5

   Check for licenses and permits

   Many businesses also need a city or county business license, and some industries need Florida state licenses. The Florida Division of Corporations (Sunbiz)'s site and your city hall list what applies.

6. 6

   Open the business bank account and connect payments

   Keep business money separate from day one: it protects the legal separation your LLC exists for and keeps taxes clean. Bring your EIN and formation documents to the bank. Our free Get Paid directory lists business banks and payment processors in the order to set them up.