PermitDueHow to Get a Business License in Florida
March 16, 2026 · Daniel Amar·Last updated: March 16, 2026
Florida is easier than most states — but not as easy as people think
Florida's reputation as a business-friendly state is mostly earned. No state income tax. No general state business license. A relatively straightforward LLC filing process. But "business-friendly" does not mean "no paperwork." You still need to register with the state, get a county business tax receipt, and depending on your industry, deal with the Department of Business and Professional Regulation.
Here is exactly what you need, step by step.
Step 1: Register your business with the Florida Division of Corporations
File with Sunbiz.org, which is the Florida Division of Corporations' online portal.
- LLC: File Articles of Organization. Costs $125. File online — it is processed within 1 to 2 business days.
- Corporation: File Articles of Incorporation. Also $125.
- Sole proprietorship: If using a name other than your own, file a Fictitious Name Registration. Costs $50 through Sunbiz.
Sunbiz is actually one of the better state filing systems. It works, it is fast, and you get confirmation within a day or two. Small win.
Step 2: Get your EIN
Free, instant, at irs.gov. Do this right after your state filing goes through.
Step 3: Get your county business tax receipt
Florida does not call it a "business license." It calls it a "business tax receipt" — but it is functionally the same thing. Your county tax collector issues it, and you need one before you open.
Costs and processes vary by county:
- Miami-Dade County: Business tax receipt through the Tax Collector's office. Fees start around $50 and scale with business type and number of employees.
- Broward County: Apply through the Records, Taxes, and Treasury Division. Similar fee structure.
- Orange County (Orlando): Apply through the Orange County Tax Collector.
- Hillsborough County (Tampa): Through the Tax Collector.
Most counties also require a city business tax receipt if you are operating within city limits. That means two separate receipts — one for the county, one for the city. Double the paperwork, double the fees.
Step 4: Register for Florida sales tax
If you sell tangible goods or certain services, register with the Florida Department of Revenue for a sales tax certificate. It is free. Florida's state sales tax rate is 6%, and most counties add a discretionary surtax of 0.5% to 2.5%.
You can register online through the Department of Revenue's website. Processing takes about 5 business days.
Step 5: Register as an employer (if you have employees)
Florida does not have a state income tax, but employers must register for reemployment tax (Florida's version of unemployment insurance) through the Department of Revenue. You also need workers' compensation insurance — it is mandatory in Florida if you have four or more employees (or one or more in construction).
Step 6: Industry-specific licenses from DBPR
The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) licenses a long list of industries. If you are in any of these, you need a DBPR license before you can operate:
- Restaurants: Public food service license from the Division of Hotels and Restaurants (DBPR). Costs $150 to $500+ depending on seating capacity.
- Bars: Liquor license through DBPR's Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco. Florida's quota system means 4COP licenses are limited per county — in some counties, you can only buy one on the secondary market for $50,000 to $500,000+.
- Contractors: Certified or registered contractor license through DBPR. Requires passing an exam, proving financial stability, and carrying insurance.
- Salons and barbers: Licensed through DBPR. Individual practitioner license plus salon license.
- Real estate, home inspection, community association management: All DBPR.
What it costs: Florida business setup fees
| Item | Cost | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| LLC filing (Sunbiz) | $125 | One-time |
| LLC annual report | $138.75 | Annual |
| Fictitious name registration | $50 | Every 5 years |
| EIN (IRS) | Free | One-time |
| County business tax receipt | $50 - $400 | Annual |
| City business tax receipt | $25 - $300 | Annual |
| Sales tax certificate | Free | One-time |
| DBPR professional license | $50 - $500+ | Every 1 - 2 years |
| Liquor license (4COP quota) | $50,000 - $500,000+ (secondary market) | Annual renewal ~$1,820 |
Timeline: how long does it take?
| Step | Processing Time |
|---|---|
| LLC filing (Sunbiz, online) | 1 - 2 business days |
| EIN | Immediate (online) |
| County business tax receipt | Same day to 2 weeks |
| Sales tax registration | 3 - 5 business days |
| DBPR professional license | 2 - 8 weeks |
| Liquor license (new application) | 60 - 120 days |
| Health inspections | 2 - 4 weeks |
Florida-specific gotchas
- The annual report deadline is May 1. Every Florida LLC and corporation must file an annual report with Sunbiz by May 1 each year. The fee is $138.75 for LLCs. Miss the deadline and you face a $400 late fee. Miss it entirely and your entity gets dissolved — and reinstatement costs even more.
- Florida's liquor license quota system is brutal. In popular counties like Miami-Dade, Broward, and Orange, all 4COP quota licenses may be taken. The only way to get one is to buy it from an existing holder. Prices in Miami-Dade have gone over $500,000. If you are opening a bar, start researching license availability months before you sign a lease.
- No state income tax does not mean no taxes. Florida has reemployment tax (unemployment), sales tax, commercial property tax, and various local business taxes. The "no income tax" headline is real, but do not assume your tax burden is zero.
- County and city permits overlap. If you are within city limits, you need both a county business tax receipt and a city business tax receipt. Some new business owners only get one and assume they are covered. You need both.
- Sunbiz is the single source of truth. Everything about your entity — formation documents, annual reports, registered agent — lives on Sunbiz.org. Bookmark it. You will be back.
What happens if you skip the paperwork
Operating without proper licenses in Florida means:
- Operating without a business tax receipt is a second-degree misdemeanor — $500 fine, 60 days in jail, or both
- DBPR can issue cease-and-desist orders and fines for unlicensed practice
- Late annual report means a $400 penalty, and failure to file leads to administrative dissolution
- Unlicensed alcohol sales are a felony in Florida — not a misdemeanor, a felony
Get your Florida permits sorted
Florida makes the basics easy — the LLC filing is fast, Sunbiz works well, and there is no state income tax. But the county-level business tax receipts, DBPR licensing, and industry-specific permits still require attention.
Want to see exactly which permits you need for your business in your Florida county? Use the free permit checker. It pulls up the actual agencies, fees, and deadlines for your specific situation.
Already licensed? Do not let those permits expire — Florida's penalties hit fast and hard.