One of the many jobs business owners take on involves complying with government regulations. For example, Florida businesses must file their company’s Florida annual report with the Florida Division of Corporations every year.
The Florida Annual Report
Sometimes an annual report contains information about the company’s finances. However, the Florida annual report does not.
Instead, this form aims to update or confirm records maintained by the Division of Corporation (the “Division”). By filing the annual report, your company’s “active status” continues for another year.
Even if nothing has changed, your company must file its annual report.
Filing the Report
The Division provides instructions on how to prepare and file your Florida annual report, but let’s recap them here.
- Find the 6- or 12-digit number the Division assigned to your business when it was formed.
- Confirm that you are using your company’s official name.
- Include your 9-digit federal tax identification number. By the way, do not use a Social Security number.
- List the street address for your company’s main office.
- Enter your company’s mailing address if it is different from the street address.
- Next, enter your registered agent’s name and address. If your company has a new registered agent, the agent must sign the report. Special instructions are provided if the Chief Financial Officer is the company’s registered agent.
- Review the principals listed for your company. You are allowed to change the principals on this form, but make sure you include the name and address of at least one principal.
You cannot change the general partners of a limited partnership or limited liability limited partnership on your annual report.
Your Florida annual report can be filed online or by mailing a paper copy to the Division. Include payment for your fee, ranging from $61.25 for a non-profit corporation to $500 for a limited partnership or limited liability partnership.
Penalties for Not Submitting Your Florida Annual Report
If you file your report after May 1, a $400 late fee is imposed.
However, if you don’t file by the third Friday of September, the Division will administratively dissolve or revoke your business entity.
Although you can ask to have your company’s active status reinstated, you will have to submit an application and pay additional fees.
We’d Like to Hear from You.
Attorney Richard Sierra at the Florida Small Business Center assists clients like you with business and litigation matters. As always, Our Goal Is to Help You Succeed™. For an appointment, you may call us at 1-866-842-5202 or use the contact form on our website. We represent clients throughout the State of Florida, including Coral Springs, Coconut Creek, Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Pompano Beach, Sunrise, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, West Palm Beach, Jupiter, Deerfield Beach, Stuart, Port St. Lucie, Orlando, Naples, Fort Myers, Sarasota, Tampa, and surrounding communities.