Opening an LLC in Florida
- Common Law:Florida Limited Liability Company Act (Chapter 605, Florida Statutes)
- Country: United States of America
- Foreign Income Tax: Zero Tax — Florida has no state income tax for individuals.
- Incorporation: 3–5 business days via Sunbiz
- Anonymity: ★★ — the Sunbiz registry is public and members' names are searchable online
- EIN: Required to open a US bank account
- Reporting Requirements: IRS Forms 5472 and 1120 annually. Annual reporting to the state of Florida via Sunbiz.
- LLC Florida opening cost: $550 (one-time)
- Annual Renewal: $138 (Sunbiz)
- Franchise tax: None — Unlike Delaware, Florida does not impose a franchise tax
- Ideal for: Florida residents, local US business, e-commerce with Florida warehouse, real estate, startups with physical headquarters in the US
How to Open an LLC in Florida
Opening an LLC in Florida is an excellent compromise for those who wish to operate from the United States with a foreign-owned American company. A Florida LLC is a fully-fledged LLC, identical to any other LLC opened in another US state, but with the advantage of an operating headquarters in one of the most business-friendly states in the US.
Florida does not impose a franchise tax—unlike Delaware, which requires $300 annually. The only annual renewal fee required by the state of Florida is $138, payable through the Sunbiz portal. Florida also imposes no state income tax on individuals, making a Florida LLC particularly advantageous for those who reside or intend to physically reside in the state.
How to Open an Anonymous Florida LLC
The Florida LLC has a significant limitation in terms of anonymity: the Sunbiz registry is public, and anyone can search the names of the owners, managers, and members of a Florida LLC via the state website. If you form a single LLC in Florida, you must list the owner's name, making it easily traceable to creditors, lawyers, and any interested third parties.
The solution to achieving anonymity with a Florida LLC is to create an anonymous LLC in New Mexico or Wyoming and use it as the holding company for the Florida LLC. This way, the owner's personal name won't appear in any register: anyone searching for the company on Sunbiz will only see the name of the anonymous LLC created in another state. Studio Panama Italia manages this entire dual LLC structuring process.
Advantages of a Florida LLC
Why Open an LLC in Florida?
- Zero state income tax for individuals — Florida is one of the few US states with no personal income tax.
- No franchise tax — Unlike Delaware, Florida does not impose a franchise tax.
- Low renewal costs — only $138/year through Sunbiz.
- Pro-business state — Florida is the third largest state in the US for registered LLCs and offers a favorable regulatory environment.
- Physical operational headquarters — ideal for those who legally immigrate to the US and establish their residence in Florida.
- Direct access to the U.S. market — Florida is a hub for trade with Latin America, the Caribbean, and Europe.
- Real Estate — The Florida LLC is the preferred structure for non-resident aliens to purchase real estate in Florida.
LLC Florida vs. Delaware, Wyoming and New Mexico
| Parameter | LLC Florida | Delaware LLC | LLC Wyoming | LLC New Mexico |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anonymity | ★★ (Public Sunbiz) | ★★★ | ★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Franchise tax | None | 300 USD/year | None | None |
| Annual renewal | 138 USD (Sunbiz) | 300 USD | 50 USD | Zero |
| State income tax | Zero (natural persons) | 8.7% on income from Delaware | Zero | Zero on foreign income |
| Cost of incorporation (SPI) | 550 USD | 800 USD | 550 USD | 550 USD |
| Physical presence | Ideal — operational headquarters in Florida | Not necessary | Not necessary | Not necessary |
| Ideal for | US residents, local business, Florida real estate | Holding, investors, reputation | Privacy, asset protection | Total anonymity, anonymous holding |
Florida LLC for Italians moving to the USA
The Florida LLC is the most suitable American corporate structure for Italians legally emigrating to the United States and establishing their physical residence in Florida. Unlike Delaware, Wyoming , and New Mexico, the Florida LLC offers the advantage of an operating headquarters in the territory where one lives and works, avoiding the need for foreign qualification in another state.
Florida is a strategic hub for trade with Latin America, the Caribbean, and Europe, and is the top destination for Italians moving to the US. The combination of zero state income tax for individuals, no franchise tax, and direct access to the US market makes the Florida LLC ideal for digital nomads looking to settle down, entrepreneurs operating ine-commerce, trading,Amazon FBA with a Florida warehouse, and international consulting businesses.
Florida LLC for real estate investments
Purchasing real estate in Florida through a Florida LLC is the most common practice among non-resident foreign investors. A Florida LLC allows you to purchase, hold, and sell Florida real estate with liability limited to the contributions made to the LLC, protecting the investor's personal assets. This structure is particularly advantageous for short-term rentals, long-term residential rentals, and real estate flipping transactions.
For investors who wish to remain anonymous, it is possible to structure the real estate purchase through a New Mexico or Wyoming LLC as the holding company of the Florida LLC, so that the investor's name does not appear in Sunbiz public records or county land records.
Tax implications for Italian residents with Florida LLCs
Italian tax residents who own a Florida LLC are subject to the same reporting obligations as any American LLC:
- RW Form — The participation in the Florida LLC must be declared in the RW Form of the Italian tax return to monitor financial assets held abroad.
- IVAFE — the tax on foreign financial assets applies (currently 0.2 per thousand).
- Income taxation — Italy may tax the income of a Florida LLC at progressive income tax rates, as it does not recognize the tax transparency of American LLCs. It may also apply CFC rules if the LLC operates under a preferential tax regime.
- FIRPTA — For real estate investments in Florida, the sale of a property by a foreign owner is subject to the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act (FIRPTA) withholding tax, currently 15% of the sales price.
- Forms 5472 and 1120 — Mandatory annual filing with the IRS, even without income. Penalty of $25,000 for failure to file.
Florida LLC Annual Accounting
Every foreign-owned Florida LLC is required to file Form 5472 and Form 1120 annually with the IRS and an annual report to the state of Florida through Sunbiz ($138). Studio Panama Italia offers annual LLC accounting that include IRS form preparation, Sunbiz deadline management, and ongoing support to keep your Florida LLC fully compliant.
Get a real US address in Florida
Platforms such as PayPal USA, Wise, and Revolut require a corporate address different from the Registered Agent's. Studio Panama Italia offers an exclusive physical address in Florida for receiving mail and correspondence, with international scanning and shipping services. Cost: $350/year with a $400 setup fee (first year total: $750).
To obtain a real proof of address (paper bill) for banks and government institutions, we offer a real phone line service in Florida with a monthly paper bill sent to your US address. Contact us to activate this service.
Open your LLC in Florida
Pro-business status, zero franchise tax, operations headquarters in the USA. Anonymous structure available with dual LLCs.
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