Florida Entrepreneurs' Resource Page
        a Guide to Starting a Business in Florida
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The following guidelines provide basic information on local, state, and federal requirements needed to start a business in Florida. With a few enhancements, they have in large part been taken from the Florida Business Start-Up Guide formerly published by the Florida Department of Commerce, which is not copyrighted, but which has been supplanted by the Florida Business & Newcomers Guide, No attempt has been made to provide a complete list of regulatory requirements. The Florida Business & Newcomers Guide and information on subjects not listed may be obtained by contacting: Enterprise Florida Division of Economic Development Bureau of Business Assistance  (904) 488-9357 or 1-800-342-0771 (toll-free in Florida)
Licensing
Many businesses and professions are licensed by the State. To determine if a state license is required for a particular business, call the Florida Business Line at (850) 487-1395.  
 
Local Licensing
Local occupational licenses are required for most businesses and are issued by counties and cities. Check with the local city clerk first and then the county tax collector. Typically, the county will require you to present your city license before issuing theirs. Local governments also issue certificates of use or occupancy and zoning permits to operate a business in a particular area. Check with the county planning department and the local building inspector for local regulations.

Taxes
Taxes on your business and other reporting requirements will depend on the nature of the business, its form of legal organization, and whether or not there are employees. Major federal, state and local business taxes include:
 
A Federal Employer identification number (obtained by filing form SS-4) is issued to most businesses. Necessary federal forms and small business tax kits are available from local IRS offices or by calling 1-800-829-3676. The IRS can provide information to employers on withholding and social security taxes and federal unemployment taxes. Tax workshops for business owners are also conducted in major Florida cities. For questions and assistance, please call 1-800-829-1040.
 
All businesses that collect the Florida sales tax when selling certain items must obtain a Florida Sales and Use Tax Number (DR-1) and report the 6 percent Florida sales tax and any local discretionary taxes to the Florida Department of Revenue. A $5 registration fee is required. Other taxes collected by the Department include intangible personal property taxes and corporate income taxes. Local governments may also collect special taxes. Please contact one of the local Florida Department of Revenue offices located in major Florida cities or call 1-800-352-3671.
 
Businesses that have one or more employees may need to apply for a state Unemployment Tax Number. Employers pay a quarterly tax based on employee wages. The Department also handles workers compensation. If a business has four or more employees, workers compensation coverage is required. All construction-related businesses should contact the Department to determine specific coverage requirements. For more information, please contact an insurance carrier orrequirements. For more information, please contact an insurance carrier or: Florida Department of Labor and Employment SecurityDivision of Workers Compensation, Bureau of Compliance  (850) 921-6966
Business Forms: Corporations/Partnerships/Sole Proprietors
Corporation (Standard or Subchapter S)
Control of the business depends on ownership of stock. For information on corporate filings and fees, contact: Florida Department of State  More incorporation information is available from Florida Incorporators, Inc. Please see their Frequently Asked Questions Page (FAQs)
 
Partnerships and Sole Proprietors
In a partnership, control of the business is shared by the partners, however, this is the most difficult arrangement to manage from a legal, tax and accounting standpoint and from a practical standpoint exposes the partners to significant risks. A limited partnership can assure a general partner of control over the business while reducing the business risk for nonmanagerial, investing partners who become limited partners. In a sole proprietorship the owner has absolute authority over all business decisions, however, the value of the business can disappear overnight if the owner dies or becomes disabled. If a business will use any name other than the given name of the owner or owners, and the business is not incorporated, a fictitious name must be registered with the state. The fictitious name must be renewed every five years. For more information and to obtain the appropriate forms, please contact: The Florida Department of State  Fictitious Name Registration

State Procurement Opportunities
Bidder's List
The Department of Management Services, Division of Purchasing, coordinates the purchase of commodities and contractual services for state agencies.
 
This statewide program, operated by the Florida Small Business Development Centers, helps small and minority businesses locate federal, state and local bid opportunities, as well as bid opportunities with participating commercial firms. For additional information, please contact the Small Business Development Center in your area.
 
The Minority Business Advocacy and Assistance Office is within the Commission on Minority Economic and Business Development, consolidates existing state agency certification, procurement, and business assistance functions. For more information on minority business enterprise certification, please contact their office at (850) 487-0915
Franchise and Business Opportunities
Under the Federal Trade Commission Rules a franchise or business opportunity seller must provide the buyer a disclosure document. Florida requires sellers to file certain information and pay a filing fee.
 
Depending on the type and structure of a business, other requirements or registration may apply. For information, directly or by referral, in the areas of business posters, patents, copyrights, state and federal trademarks, business insurance, or others subjects not covered, please go to: MyFlorida.com
Sources of Information and Assistance
Enterprise Florida has the responsibility to guide, stimulate and promote economic development in the state.
Florida Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR).  This program provides financing for the very early research and development phase of innovation that meets the needs of participating federal agencies.
The Commission on Minority Economic and Business Development, created by the 1994 Florida Legislature, is comprised of the Governor and Cabinet. The Commission provides overall leadership and direction relating to the promotion and development of minority business enterprises. This includes redevelopment of minority business enterprises within distressed areas. An integral part of the Commission, the Minority Business Advocacy and Assistance Office is responsible for assisting minority business enterprises in becoming suppliers of commodities, services, and construction to state government. For more information on this commission, please contact the Minority Business Advocacy and Assistance Office at (850) 487-0915
This federal agency provides counseling and managerial assistance through the Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE), publishes booklets on starting and operating a business, and provides direct and guaranteed loans to new and existing businesses. For more information on these and other SBA programs, please contact the nearest district office.
This program offers a variety of services to existing and potential entrepreneurs from initial counseling to planning and growth. Many services are free of charge. For additional information, please contact the MBDC in your area.
These centers provide training programs and one-on-one counseling on financial management, accounting, procurement, organization, record-keeping, marketing, international trade, financing and the steps to starting a small business. For information, please contact the State Director's Office or the SBDC office nearest you or contact: State Director: (850) 595-6060 (Pensacola)
For more information and key links to Florida resources, see The Florida Small Business Resource Page and The Florida Business Incubator Page
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