January 8, 2025

Filing an Annual Report is required for entities formed under Florida law or authorized as a foreign entity to transact business in Florida. Timely filing an Annual Report (and paying the applicable fees) ensures your entity will remain in good standing to conduct business in Florida and avoids the entity’s dissolution and unnecessary expenses. Whether your entity is a corporation, a limited liability company, a partnership, or other type of entity, here’s a guide to help you navigate the process.

What Is an Annual Report?

An Annual Report provides the Florida Division of Corporations with certain information about your entity including:

Its physical and mailing addresses;
Its authorized representatives; and
Its registered agent and address (for service of process of legal documents).

The report does not list the entity’s owners (e.g., its shareholders, members, or partners), nor does it disclose any of the company’s financial information. Rather, the report is part of a public database third-parties can use to confirm a company’s existence, whether it is in good standing, and its authorized representatives.

Who Needs to File an Annual Report?

Most entities registered in Florida are required to file an Annual Report, including:

Corporations (whether profit and not for profit)
Limited Liability Companies (LLCs)
Limited Partnerships (LPs) and Limited Liability Limited Partnerships (LLLPs)
Professional Associations (PAs)

When to File

Annual Reports are required to be filed between January 1 and May 1 each year.

How to File

Filing your Florida Annual Report is straightforward:

Visit the Florida Division of Corporations website;
Select “Manage/Change Existing Business” in the ribbon menu and click “File Annual Report,” which takes you to a new page with a button or link labeled “Click Here to File Your [applicable year] Annual Report”;
Enter your entity’s Document Number (which might be found among your entity’s formation documents, previous Annual Reports, or by accessing your entity’s listing on Sunbiz; and
Update any information that is inaccurate and pay the required filing fee by credit card to submit the report.

When filing an Annual Report, you will need to provide the following:

Business Name—ensure it matches the name on file with the Florida Division of Corporations;
FEIN—the entity’s federal employer identification number or federal taxpayer identification number;
Principal Address—the entity’s primary location;
Mailing Address—if different from the entity’s principal address;
Registered Agent Information—this includes the name and address of the person that is designated to receive legal documents for the entity; and
Principals—names and addresses of the entity’s authorized representatives (e.g., its officers, directors, managers, etc.).

Click here to view instructions from the Florida Division of Corporations when filing your Annual Report.

Consequences for Late Filing or Failing to File

Filing an Annual Report after the May 1 deadline incurs a late fee of $400. Timely filing the Annual Report is necessary to maintain your entity’s existence and avoid the late filing penalty. If an Annual Report is not filed by the third Friday of September, the entity is administratively dissolved or, if it is not a Florida entity, its registration to transact business in Florida is revoked. While an administratively dissolved or revoked entity can usually be reinstated, it is obviously better to avoid that by timely filing an Annual Report.

Tips for a Smooth Filing Process

Mark Your Calendar: Set reminders for key dates to avoid late fees.
Double-Check Information: Ensure all details are accurate to prevent processing delays.
Keep Records: Save confirmation of your filing for your records.
Consult an Attorney: If you have questions about your filing requirements, consulting a legal professional can help you navigate the process confidently.

Filing an Annual Report may seem like a small administrative task, but it plays a significant role in keeping your business compliant and in good standing with the state of Florida. By staying organized and proactive, you can ensure your business’s continued success.