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Florida LLC
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The LLC is a relatively new type of hybrid business structure that is now permissible in most states. It is designed to provide the limited liability features of a corporation and the tax efficiencies and operational flexibility of a partnership. Formation is more complex and formal than that of a general partnership.
The owners are members, and the duration of the LLC is usually determined when the organization papers are filed. The
time limit can be continued if desired by a vote of the members at the time of expiration. LLC's must not have more than two of the four characteristics that define corporations: Limited liability to the extent of assets; continuity of life; centralization of management; and free transferability of ownership interests.
Advantages and Disadvantages of a Florida LLC
Advantages of LLC
- Limited Liability: Owners of a LLC have the limited liability protection of a corporation.
- Flexible Profit Distribution: Limited liability companies can select varying forms of distribution of profits. Unlike a common partnership where the split is 50-50, LLC have much more flexibility.
- No Minutes: Corporations are required to keep formal minutes, have meetings, and record resolutions. The LLC business structure requires no corporate minutes or resolutions and is easier to operate.
- Flow Through Taxation: All your business losses, profits, and expenses flow through the company to the individual members. You avoid the double taxation of paying corporate tax and individual tax. Usually, this will be a tax advantage, but circumstances can favor a corporate tax structure.
Disadvantages of LLC
- Limited Life: Corporations can live forever, whereas a LLC is dissolved when a member dies or undergoes bankruptcy.
- Going Public: Business owners with plans to take their company public, or issuing employee shares in the future, may be best served by choosing a corporate business structure.
- Added Complexity: Running a sole-proprietorship or partnership will have less paperwork and complexity. A LLC may federally be classified as a sole-proprietorship, partnership, or corporation for tax purposes. Classification can be selected or a default may apply.
By Florida and other state law in order to proceed with forming a llc, you need to prepare a written abstract detailing your llc purpose, the names of your initial Florida LLC members, the name and address of your Florida registered agent, the details of which will be introduced into the body of your LLC operating agreement and related Florida LLC formation documents assembled for application to the state of Florida.
Florida's 2009 Business Tax Climate Ranks 5th Florida ranks 5th in the Nation's State Business Tax Climate Index. The Index compares the states in five areas of taxation that impact business: corporate taxes; individual income taxes; sales taxes; unemployment insurance taxes; and taxes on property, including residential and commercial property. Neighboring states ranked as follows: Georgia (27th) and Alabama (21st).
Florida Levies No Individual Income Tax Florida is among seven states in the country that collect no individual income taxes. Since most small businesses are either S Corporations or partnerships or sole proprietorships, they pay their business taxes at the rates for individuals. This makes the tax environment for small businesses in Florida very competitive compared to other states.
Florida's Corporate Income Tax System Florida's corporate tax structure consists of a flat rate of 5.5 percent on all corporate income, which ranks 40th highest among states that tax corporate income. In 2007, state-level corporate tax collections (excluding local taxes) were $135 per capita and ranked 31st highest nationally.
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