Florida LLC Annual Report: Avoid Penalties and File Hassle-Free (Complete Guide)

Florida LLC Annual Report: Avoid Penalties and File Hassle-Free (Complete Guide)



Every Florida LLC is required to file an Annual Report with the Florida Department of State. This filing keeps your business active and in good standing, and failure to file it on time can result in heavy penalties—or even losing your LLC altogether.

This guide explains what the Florida LLC Annual Report is, how to file it, the cost, key deadlines, and the consequences of missing the deadline, plus tips for making the process fast and hassle-free.

What Is the Florida LLC Annual Report?

A Florida LLC Annual Report is a mandatory yearly filing used to:

  • Confirm or update your company’s information

  • Maintain your LLC’s active status

  • Meet state compliance requirements

It is not a financial report.
It does not require income statements, tax returns, or earnings data.

Instead, it verifies basic business details such as:

✔ LLC name
✔ Principal office address
✔ EIN (if applicable)
✔ Registered agent information
✔ Manager/member information
✔ Mailing address

Who Must File a Florida LLC Annual Report?

Every LLC registered in Florida must file an annual report—even if:

  • You made no income

  • Your business is inactive

  • You are a single-member LLC

  • You operate outside Florida

  • You formed the LLC late in the previous year

If your LLC exists on January 1st, you owe an annual report for that year.

Florida Annual Report Filing Deadline

Due Date: May 1st of every year

Your annual report must be filed between January 1 and May 1.

If you miss the deadline, the penalty is substantial, regardless of circumstances.

Late Filing Penalty

If your Florida LLC Annual Report is not filed by May 1, the state imposes a:

❌ $400 late fee

This fee is mandatory and cannot be waived.

Even if your report is filed one day late, the penalty still applies.

What Happens If You Don't File the Annual Report?

If you do not file the annual report by:

Third Friday in September

Your LLC will be:

❌ Administratively dissolved

This means:

  • Your LLC loses its legal status

  • You lose liability protection

  • Contracts and bank accounts may be impacted

  • You must pay reinstatement fees to restore the LLC

Reinstatement costs include:

  • Filing the annual report

  • $400 late fee

  • Reinstatement fee ($100)

Avoiding dissolution is far easier and cheaper than reinstating.

How Much Does the Florida LLC Annual Report Cost?

Filing Fee: $138.75

This is the standard fee for an LLC.

Other potential fees:

  • Registered agent change: $25

  • Amended annual report (optional): $50

How to File Your Florida LLC Annual Report (Step-by-Step)

Filing is done completely online and typically takes less than 10 minutes.

Step 1: Go to the Sunbiz Website

Visit the Florida Division of Corporations at:
Sunbiz.org

Click "File Annual Report" on the homepage.

Step 2: Locate Your LLC

You can search using:

  • Document number

  • LLC name

Your Florida LLC’s document number appears on your formation documents or on Sunbiz.

Step 3: Review and Update Your LLC Information

You’ll review:

  • Principal office address

  • Mailing address

  • Registered agent info

  • Member/manager details

Make updates as necessary.

If adding or changing a registered agent, they must accept the appointment online.

Step 4: Pay the Fee

The total is $138.75.

Payment methods include:

  • Credit card

  • Debit card

  • Prepaid Sunbiz account

Once payment is complete, the report is filed immediately.

Step 5: Save Your Confirmation

Download and save:

  • Filing confirmation

  • Receipt

  • Updated LLC record

This helps with compliance, audits, and bookkeeping.

Tips for Filing Your Florida LLC Annual Report Hassle-Free

✔ File Early

Avoid the May 1 rush, website slowdowns, and the risk of forgetting.

✔ Set Calendar Reminders

Add reminders for:

  • January 1

  • March 1

  • April 15

  • April 25

✔ Keep Information Updated Year-Round

Maintain accurate member, registered agent, and address details to minimize changes at filing time.

✔ Avoid Using Public Addresses

If privacy matters, consider:

  • A commercial registered agent

  • A business mailbox

✔ Keep Confirmation Emails Safe

Save PDFs in your business compliance folder.

Can You Make Changes During the Annual Report Filing?

Yes. You may update:

  • Registered agent

  • Principal office address

  • Mailing address

  • Authorized managers/members

  • Business purpose

No need for separate amendment filings unless you're changing the LLC name.

Can You File an Amended Annual Report?

Yes, but only if you filed the original in the same year.

Amended Annual Report Fee: $50

Use this only for corrections or updates made after your initial filing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do all Florida LLCs file an annual report?

Yes—every LLC must file, no exceptions.

What if I just formed my LLC late in the year?

You still owe a report the following year.

Can the $400 late fee be waived?

No. Florida law prohibits waiving the penalty.

What if I no longer use my LLC?

You can file a voluntary dissolution to avoid future fees.

Do foreign LLCs also file?

Yes. Florida-registered foreign LLCs must file annual reports too.

Final Thoughts: Filing Your Florida LLC Annual Report the Smart Way

To keep your LLC active and avoid costly penalties:

✔ File between January 1 and May 1
✔ Pay the $138.75 fee on time
✔ Update changes during filing
✔ Avoid the mandatory $400 late fee
✔ Use reminders to stay compliant

Filing your Florida LLC Annual Report on time ensures your business stays in good standing, maintains liability protection, and avoids unnecessary reinstatement costs. 

Get Free Consultation with FormLLC

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