Quick Answer: To start a business in Orlando or Orange County, Florida, you (1) file your LLC or corporation with the Florida Division of Corporations at Sunbiz.org ($125 for an LLC, $70 for a corporation), (2) get a free federal EIN from the IRS, (3) register with the Florida Department of Revenue if you’ll collect sales tax or have employees, (4) obtain a city Business Tax Receipt if you’re inside Orlando or another municipality, and (5) obtain an Orange County Business Tax Receipt from the Orange County Tax Collector. Most businesses can complete all five steps online in one to two weeks.
The 5 Steps to Register a Business in Orlando
- File your entity with Sunbiz.org – Articles of Organization (LLC) or Articles of Incorporation (corporation) with the Florida Department of State.
- Get an EIN from the IRS – Free, online, issued instantly at IRS.gov.
- Register with the Florida Department of Revenue – Form DR-1 for sales tax, reemployment tax and other state taxes, if applicable.
- Get your municipal Business Tax Receipt – Required first if your business is inside the City of Orlando, Winter Park, Maitland, Apopka, Ocoee, Winter Garden or another incorporated city.
- Get your Orange County Business Tax Receipt – Issued by the Orange County Tax Collector; unincorporated addresses also need Orange County Zoning approval first.
Filing Fees at a Glance
| Filing | Agency | Fee | Renewal |
|---|---|---|---|
| LLC Articles of Organization | Sunbiz (FL Dept. of State) | $125 | $138.75/yr annual report |
| Corporation Articles of Incorporation | Sunbiz | $70 | $150/yr annual report |
| Federal EIN | IRS | Free | None |
| Sales tax registration (DR-1) | FL Dept. of Revenue | Free online | None |
| City of Orlando Business Tax Receipt | City of Orlando | Varies by business type | Annual, expires Sept. 30 |
| Orange County Business Tax Receipt | Orange County Tax Collector | Varies by business type | Annual, expires Sept. 30 |
| Late annual report penalty | Sunbiz | $400 | — |
Step 1: File Your LLC or Corporation at Sunbiz
Sunbiz, operated by the Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations, is the only official filing channel. For an LLC, the $125 fee covers the $100 articles filing plus the $25 registered agent designation. For a corporation, the $70 fee covers $35 filing plus $35 registered agent designation. Online filings typically process in two to five business days.
You’ll need:
- A unique business name (search Sunbiz first to confirm availability)
- A Florida registered agent with a physical Florida street address
- A principal business address and mailing address
- Names and addresses of managers/members (LLC) or officers/directors (corporation)
- A valid email for confirmation
Don’t Miss the Annual Report
Florida requires an Annual Report from every domestic LLC and every registered foreign LLC, every calendar year, filed between January 1 and May 1. The Florida LLC annual report fee is $138.75, with a $400 late penalty if missed, and failure to file results in administrative dissolution after the third Friday in September. The Florida Division of Corporations does not grant exceptions for hardship, first-time filers, or technical issues.
Your first Florida LLC Annual Report is due the year after your LLC is formed. So an LLC formed anytime in 2026 files its first report between January 1 and May 1, 2027.
Step 2: Get a Federal EIN
An Employer Identification Number is required to open a business bank account, hire employees, and file federal taxes. Apply directly at IRS.gov; it’s free and issued immediately. Third-party services charging for EINs are unnecessary.
Step 3: Register with the Florida Department of Revenue
Florida has no personal income tax, but businesses that sell taxable goods or services must register to collect sales tax (6% state rate plus 0.5% Orange County surtax, for a 6.5% combined rate). Employers must also register for reemployment tax. Both are done through Form DR-1 at floridarevenue.com. Corporations (not LLCs taxed as partnerships or sole proprietorships) are also subject to Florida’s 5.5% corporate income tax.
Step 4: City Business Tax Receipt (If Inside a Municipality)
The cities of Apopka, Belle Isle, Eatonville, Edgewood, Maitland, Oakland, Ocoee, Orlando, Windermere, Winter Garden and Winter Park issue local Business Tax Receipts which vary according to business type and size, and all businesses operating in these municipalities must obtain a Local Business Tax Receipt prior to obtaining an Orange County Business Tax Receipt.
The City of Orlando handles this through its digital business permitting guide; you must pay a tax to operate a business within the City of Orlando. Commercial locations inside the city also need a zoning use permit and, for a new occupant, a certificate of occupancy or fire inspection.
Not sure whether your address is inside city limits? Visit the Orange County Property Appraiser’s website and use their parcel search tool to determine your business’s physical address.
Step 5: Orange County Business Tax Receipt
Unincorporated Orange County
The Orange County Zoning Division must approve all proposed new businesses located within Unincorporated Orange County, and all applications must be submitted electronically through Orange County Fast Track. Home-based businesses get a simpler review, while a commercial business may require additional approvals, permits, or inspections.
After zoning approval, applicants upload their zoning approval letter, Sunbiz registration, any applicable state licenses, and their Federal Tax ID Number to the Tax Collector’s online portal.
Inside a City
If you already hold a city BTR, applicants upload their city/town Business Tax Receipt first, then Sunbiz registration, any applicable state licenses, and their Federal Tax ID Number. No county zoning approval is needed.
Timing and Renewal
The Orange County Tax Collector issues annual, renewable Business Tax Receipts valid through September 30 of each year; taxes for a new business are pro-rated beginning April 1, when a half-year fee applies. The Tax Collector’s business tax office is at 301 S. Rosalind Ave., Orlando, and the help line is (407) 434-0312, option 2.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to start an LLC in Orlando?
Plan on about $125 for the state filing plus $50–$300 in combined city and county business tax receipts, depending on your business type. Total: roughly $175–$425 in year one, before any professional licenses.
How long does it take to register a business in Florida?
Sunbiz online filings usually approve within a week. City and county business tax receipts add one to two weeks for home-based businesses and longer for commercial locations needing inspections.
Do I need a business license in Florida?
Florida has no general state business license. The “license” most people mean is the local Business Tax Receipt, plus any profession-specific license from the Florida DBPR (contractors, real estate, cosmetology, restaurants, etc.).
Can I run a home-based business in Orange County?
Yes. All home-based businesses must comply with Florida Statute §559.955, which limits local restrictions on home businesses that operate without disrupting the neighborhood. You still need city and/or county business tax receipts.
Do I need a registered agent?
Yes. Every Florida LLC and corporation must name a registered agent with a physical Florida address. You can serve as your own agent if you have a Florida street address.
What happens if I miss the May 1 annual report deadline?
File after May 1 and a non-waivable $400 late penalty is added, bringing the total to $538.75, and LLCs not filed by the third Friday of September are administratively dissolved.
Brian’s Take
The Florida entity filing is the easy part; most people get through Sunbiz in twenty minutes. Where new Orlando business owners stumble is the two-layer business tax receipt system. Orange County won’t issue its receipt until the city issues one, and the city won’t issue one until zoning signs off on your address. If you’re leasing commercial space, verify zoning before you sign the lease, not after. A retail use in a building zoned for office can cost you months.
The other trap is the annual report. It isn’t a tax return and it isn’t hard, but the $400 penalty is automatic and the state doesn’t negotiate. Put May 1 on the calendar the day your LLC is approved.
Sources and Further Reading
- Florida Division of Corporations (Sunbiz) – Start a Business: https://dos.fl.gov/sunbiz/start-business/
- Florida Statutes § 605.0212 – Annual Report for LLCs: https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2025/605.0212
- Orange County Tax Collector – Obtaining a New Business Tax Receipt: https://www.octaxcol.com/taxes/business-taxes/obtain-new-business-tax-receipt/
- Orange County Tax Collector – Business Taxes Overview: https://www.octaxcol.com/taxes/business-taxes/
- Orange County Government – Business Tax Receipt (Zoning Approval): https://www.ocfl.net/PermitsLicenses/Permits/BTR.aspx
- Engage Orange County – Business Tax Receipts: https://engageorange.ocfl.net/business-tax-receipts
- City of Orlando – Get a Business Tax Receipt: https://www.orlando.gov/Building-Development/Permits-Inspections/Other/Get-a-Permit-for-Your-Business/Get-a-Business-Tax-Receipt
- Florida Department of Revenue – Register to Collect and Pay Taxes (DR-1): https://floridarevenue.com/taxes/registration
- IRS – Apply for an Employer Identification Number: https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/get-an-employer-identification-number
- Finberg Firm – Florida LLC Annual Report 2026 Deadlines and Penalties: https://finbergfirm.com/2026/03/28/florida-llc-annual-report-2026-deadlines-requirements-and-penalties-for-small-businesses/
- LLC University – Florida LLC Annual Report Step-by-Step: https://www.llcuniversity.com/florida-llc/annual-report/
