What is the Florida Annual Report?
The Florida Annual Report is a mandatory filing that every LLC and corporation registered in Florida must submit to the Florida Division of Corporations each year. This report updates the state on your business's current information, including your registered agent, principal office address, and management details.
Despite its name, the "annual report" is not a financial document. You don't need to provide revenue figures, profit and loss statements, or tax information. It's simply an informational update to keep your business records current with the state.
Who Must File a Florida Annual Report?
The following business entities must file an annual report in Florida:
• Limited Liability Companies (LLCs) - Both single-member and multi-member LLCs
• Corporations - Including C-Corporations, S-Corporations, and professional corporations
• Limited Partnerships (LPs)
• Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs)
• Non-profit corporations
Important: Even if your business had no activity during the year, you still must file an annual report. "No activity" is not an exemption from this requirement.
Florida Annual Report Deadline: May 1st
The deadline to file your Florida annual report is May 1st every year. This deadline is firm and applies to all business entities, regardless of when your business was formed.
Key Dates to Remember:
• January 1st: Annual report filing period opens
• May 1st: Filing deadline (11:59 PM Eastern Time)
• May 2nd: Late fees begin ($400 penalty)
• September 30th: Final deadline before administrative dissolution
Pro Tip: Don't wait until the last minute. File your annual report in January or February to avoid the April rush and ensure you don't miss the deadline.
How Much Does the Florida Annual Report Cost?
The filing fee for Florida annual reports is $138.75 for both LLCs and corporations. This fee is the same whether you file online or by mail.
Fee Breakdown:
• Base filing fee: $50.00
• Registered agent fee: $88.75
• Total: $138.75
Payment Methods:
• Credit card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover)
• Debit card
• Electronic check (ACH)
Important: The Florida Division of Corporations does not accept cash, personal checks, or money orders for online filings.
Late Filing Penalties: What You Need to Know
Missing the May 1st deadline triggers serious consequences that can harm your business.
$400 Late Fee
If you file your annual report after May 1st but before September 30th, you must pay a $400 late fee in addition to the standard $138.75 filing fee. This brings your total cost to $538.75—nearly four times the regular amount.
Administrative Dissolution
If you don't file your annual report by September 30th, the Florida Division of Corporations will administratively dissolve your business. This means:
• Loss of Legal Status: Your business is no longer recognized as a legal entity in Florida
• Loss of Limited Liability Protection: You lose the liability shield that protects your personal assets
• Cannot Conduct Business: You cannot legally operate your business in Florida
• Bank Account Issues: Banks may freeze or close your business accounts
• Contract Problems: Existing contracts may become void or unenforceable
• Licensing Issues: Business licenses and permits may be revoked
Reinstatement Costs
If your business is administratively dissolved, you can apply for reinstatement, but it's expensive and time-consuming:
• Reinstatement fee: $600
• All past-due annual reports: $138.75 per year
• Late fees: $400 per year
• Processing time: 2-4 weeks
Example: If your LLC was dissolved for 3 years, reinstatement would cost:
• Reinstatement fee: $600
• 3 annual reports: $416.25 ($138.75 × 3)
• 3 late fees: $1,200 ($400 × 3)
• Total: $2,216.25
This is why filing on time is so important!
How to File Your Florida Annual Report Online (Step-by-Step)
Filing your annual report online is the fastest and easiest method. Here's exactly how to do it:
Step 1: Gather Required Information
Before you start, have this information ready:
• Your business's Document Number (found on your Articles of Organization or previous annual report)
• Registered agent name and Florida street address
• Principal office address (can be out of state)
• Mailing address (if different from principal office)
• Names and addresses of all members/managers (for LLCs) or officers/directors (for corporations)
• Payment information (credit card or bank account for ACH)
Step 2: Access the Florida Division of Corporations Company Website">Website
1. Go to sunbiz.org (the official Florida Division of Corporations Company Website">website)
2. Click on "File a Document" in the top menu
3. Select "Annual Report" from the document type dropdown
4. Choose your entity type (LLC, Corporation, etc.)
Step 3: Search for Your Business
You can search for your business using:
• Document number (fastest method)
• Business name
• Officer/director name
• Registered agent name
Once you find your business, click on it to proceed.
Step 4: Review Pre-Filled Information
The system will display your business information from the previous year. Carefully review:
• Business name and document number
• Registered agent information
• Principal office address
• Mailing address
• Member/manager or officer/director information
Step 5: Update Any Changes
If any information has changed since last year, update it now. Common changes include:
• New registered agent or registered office address
• New principal office address (if you moved)
• New members, managers, officers, or directors
• Removed members, managers, officers, or directors
Important: Make sure all addresses are complete and accurate. Incomplete addresses can cause your filing to be rejected.
Step 6: Certify the Information
You must certify that the information provided is true and correct. The person filing must be:
• A member or manager (for LLCs)
• An officer or director (for corporations)
• An authorized representative
Enter the name and title of the person certifying the report.
Step 7: Pay the Filing Fee
Enter your payment information:
• Credit/Debit Card: Enter card number, expiration date, CVV, and billing zip code
• Electronic Check (ACH): Enter routing number and account number
Review the total amount ($138.75 if filed on time, $538.75 if late).
Step 8: Submit and Confirm
1. Review all information one final time
2. Click "Submit"
3. You'll receive an immediate confirmation screen
4. Print or save the confirmation for your records
5. You'll also receive a confirmation email (check your spam folder if you don't see it)
Processing Time: Your annual report is processed immediately upon submission. Your business status will update to "Active" within minutes.
How to File by Mail (If You Prefer Paper Filing)
While online filing is faster, you can still file by mail if you prefer:
Steps for Mail Filing:
1. Download Form CR2E001 (Annual Report) from sunbiz.org
2. Complete all required fields by hand or typewriter
3. Sign and date the form
4. Include a check or money order for $138.75 payable to "Florida Department of State"
5. Mail to:
Florida Department of State
Division of Corporations
P.O. Box 6327
Tallahassee, FL 32314
Processing Time: Mail filings take 2-3 weeks to process. Make sure to mail early to avoid late fees!
What Information is Required on the Annual Report?
The Florida annual report requires the following information:
For All Business Entities:
• Business name and document number
• Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN)
• Principal office address (physical street address, not P.O. box)
• Mailing address (can be P.O. box)
• Registered agent name and Florida street address
• Email address for official communications
For LLCs:
• Names and addresses of all members (owners)
• Names and addresses of all managers (if manager-managed)
• Title of each member/manager
For Corporations:
• Names and addresses of all officers (President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer)
• Names and addresses of all directors
• Title of each officer/director
For Limited Partnerships:
• Names and addresses of all general partners
Common Annual Report Filing Mistakes to Avoid
1. Using P.O. Boxes for Physical Addresses
The principal office address and registered agent address must be physical street addresses. P.O. boxes are only acceptable for mailing addresses.
Wrong: Principal Office: P.O. Box 123, Miami, FL 33101
Right: Principal Office: 123 Main Street, Miami, FL 33101
2. Forgetting to Update Changes
If your registered agent, address, or management changed during the year, you must update this information on your annual report. Don't just click "submit" without reviewing!
3. Filing for the Wrong Entity
If you have multiple businesses, make sure you're filing the annual report for the correct entity. Check the document number carefully.
4. Incomplete Officer/Director Information
You must list complete names and addresses for all officers, directors, members, or managers. Leaving fields blank will cause your filing to be rejected.
5. Using Old Payment Information
If your credit card expired or your bank account changed, update your payment information before filing. Failed payments delay your filing and could result in late fees.
6. Not Keeping Confirmation Records
Always save your confirmation email and print the confirmation page. You may need proof of filing if there's ever a question about your compliance status.
How to Check Your Annual Report Filing Status
You can verify that your annual report was filed successfully:
Online Verification:
1. Go to sunbiz.org
2. Click "Search Records"
3. Enter your business name or document number
4. Click on your business name in the search results
5. Look for "Annual Report Year" in the business details
6. Verify it shows the current year
You should also see your business status as "Active" if your annual report is current.
What If You Miss the Deadline?
If you realize you missed the May 1st deadline, don't panic—but act quickly:
If It's Before September 30th:
1. File your annual report immediately online
2. Pay the $138.75 filing fee plus $400 late fee ($538.75 total)
3. Your business will return to active status immediately
If It's After September 30th (Dissolved Status):
1. File for reinstatement using Form CR2E038
2. Pay the $600 reinstatement fee
3. Pay all past-due annual reports ($138.75 per year)
4. Pay all late fees ($400 per year)
5. Wait 2-4 weeks for processing
Important: While your business is dissolved, you cannot legally conduct business in Florida. Reinstate as quickly as possible to minimize disruption.
Annual Report Reminders and Compliance Tools
Don't rely on memory to file your annual report. Use these tools to stay compliant:
1. Calendar Reminders
Set recurring calendar reminders:
• March 1st: "File Florida Annual Report"
• April 15th: "Last chance to file annual report"
• April 30th: "URGENT: File annual report today!"
2. Registered Agent Reminders
Professional registered agent services (like Florida Business Solutions) send automatic reminders 60-90 days before the deadline. This is one of the key benefits of using a registered agent services" class="text-teal-600 hover:text-teal-700 font-medium underline decoration-teal-300 hover:decoration-teal-500 transition-colors">service.
3. Email Notifications from the State
The Florida Division of Corporations sends email reminders if you provided an email address on your previous annual report. Make sure to:
• Keep your email address current
• Check your spam folder
• Whitelist emails from sunbiz.org
4. Compliance Management Software
If you have multiple businesses or operate in multiple states, consider using compliance management software that tracks all filing deadlines automatically.
Florida Annual Report vs. Federal Tax Return
Many business owners confuse the Florida annual report with their federal tax return. These are completely separate filings:
Florida Annual Report:
• Filed with the Florida Division of Corporations
• Due May 1st every year
• Costs $138.75
• Updates business information (not financial)
• Required for all Florida LLCs and corporations
Federal Tax Return:
• Filed with the IRS
• Due March 15th (partnerships/S-corps) or April 15th (C-corps/sole proprietors)
• Reports income, expenses, and taxes
• Required for all businesses with income
Important: You must file both! Filing your federal tax return does not satisfy your Florida annual report requirement, and vice versa.
Special Situations and FAQs
What if I formed my LLC in December?
If you formed your LLC late in the year (October, November, or December), you still must file an annual report by May 1st of the following year. There is no grace period for newly formed businesses.
What if I'm dissolving my business?
If you're voluntarily dissolving your LLC or corporation, you must file all past-due annual reports before the dissolution can be processed. You cannot skip annual reports just because you're closing the business.
What if I have multiple businesses?
Each business entity must file its own annual report. If you have 5 LLCs, you must file 5 separate annual reports (and pay 5 separate $138.75 fees).
Can I file early?
Yes! The filing period opens January 1st. You can file as early as January 1st for the current year. Filing early ensures you don't forget and gives you peace of mind.
What if my registered agent changed?
Update your registered agent information on your annual report. You don't need to file a separate change of registered agent form—the annual report serves as the official update.
Let Florida Business Solutions Handle Your Annual Report
Filing your annual report is straightforward, but it's easy to forget or make mistakes. Florida Business Solutions offers annual report filing services to ensure you never miss a deadline.
Our Annual Report services" class="text-teal-600 hover:text-teal-700 font-medium underline decoration-teal-300 hover:decoration-teal-500 transition-colors">Service Includes:
• Automatic reminders 60 days before the May 1st deadline
• Professional filing by our experienced team
• Accuracy guarantee - we double-check all information
• Confirmation documentation for your records
• Compliance calendar tracking all your business deadlines
• Annual Report Filing services" class="text-teal-600 hover:text-teal-700 font-medium underline decoration-teal-300 hover:decoration-teal-500 transition-colors">Service: $199 (includes $138.75 state fee)
• Registered Agent + Annual Report Bundle: $299/year (save $25)
Why Choose Us:
• Never miss a deadline - we track it for you
• Avoid late fees - we file early to ensure on-time submission
• Save time - we handle the paperwork while you focus on your business
• Peace of mind - know your business is compliant
Get Started Today
Don't risk $400 late fees or administrative dissolution. File your Florida annual report on time, every time.
Need help? Contact Florida Business Solutions today for a free consultation. We'll review your compliance status, set up automatic reminders, and ensure your business stays in good standing with the state of Florida.
Special Offer: Sign up for our registered agent services" class="text-teal-600 hover:text-teal-700 font-medium underline decoration-teal-300 hover:decoration-teal-500 transition-colors">service and get your first annual report filing FREE. That's a $199 value included at no extra charge.
Call us at +1-329-204-0418 or visit our Company Website">website to get started. Your business deserves professional compliance support—let us handle the details while you grow your business.