How to Start a Miami Business
6 Steps to Starting a Business in Miami
Miami has established itself as a growing, global hub for commerce.
Miami businesses of all sizes and industries enjoy relatively low sales and property taxes, and there are no local personal or local corporate income taxes. State registrations are generally moderately priced and straightforward to file online.
Our guide to starting a business in Miami walks you through each step of the process, no matter what sort of business you’re launching.
1. Choose Your Miami Business Structure
Every Florida business must register with the Florida Secretary of State Division of Corporations, SunBiz. The only exception is a sole proprietorship exclusively operating under the business owner’s legal name. So before taking any further legal steps for the business, every Miami entrepreneur must decide how the business will be structured in order to correctly file and set the foundation for their new company.
Unincorporated Businesses
Businesses with no legal distinction—and therefore no liability protection—between the owners and the business are unincorporated businesses.
Examples include sole proprietorships and general partnerships.
If you plan to do business in Miami as a sole proprietorship or general partnership, your business name is your own personal legal name. If you want to operate under a different name, you need to register a fictitious name, also called a Florida DBA, with the Secretary of State. A fictitious name does not provide the same limited liability protections or other benefits of an LLC or corporation. It’s just a name you’ll do business under. The state filing fee for a fictitious name is only $50 and it’s good for five years, which makes it a popular choice for some Miami small businesses.
Incorporated Businesses
Businesses registered with the state as distinct legal entities separate from their owners are incorporated businesses. Corporations and limited liability companies are incorporated businesses. They have their own legal names, taxpayer identification numbers, and assets.
To start a Florida LLC or corporation, you’ll need to file Articles of Organization (for LLCs) or Articles of Incorporation (for corporations) with the Florida Secretary of State. After registering your new business with the state, you’ll also need to file an Annual Report each year after formation by May 1st. Unlike unincorporated businesses, your Florida LLC or corporation will not need to register a fictitious name unless you do business under a company name besides the one listed in your articles.
Can I Form a Business Anonymously?
Sadly, you can’t form LLCs or corporations anonymously in the Sunshine State. However, you can protect your privacy with the Double (Private) LLC structure. With our Double LLC Package, we create two LLCs that manage each other and allow you to use our permanent business address so that you can keep both your name and address off the public record.
Filing Fees & Forms by Business Structure
Florida business filing fees vary by the kind of business entity you are forming, as do the benefits of each business structure. Check out our table below for the most common initial business registrations, their filing document name, and the associated state filing fees. If you aren’t sure which structure is right for your business, consulting with a professional can help.
| Business Type | Filing Form | Filing Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Limited Liability Company (LLC) | Articles of Organization | $125 |
| Corporation | Articles of Incorporation | $70 |
| Limited Partnership (LP) or Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) | Certificate of Limited Partnership | $1,000 |
| Sole Proprietorship or General Partnership | Fictitious Name Registration* | $50 + Publication Fees |
*Required to operate under a name besides the owners’ legal names.
2. Register Your Business
If you chose a business structure requiring registration with the state—or if your structure is unincorporated, but you’d like a fictitious business name—we have the information you need to get started!
Registering your fictitious business name, or DBA
A Florida DBA, or “doing business as” name, allows your company to conduct business under a name other than its legally registered name. To register one, you’ll need to make sure the name is available, publish a notice, and submit a filing:
- Fictitious Name Check
Before submitting any filings, check the SunBiz Fictitious Name Search to see if your preferred fictitious name is already being used in Florida. - Fictitious Name Publication
Per Florida Statutes (Chapter 50), the name you register must be advertised at least once in a newspaper that is located within the county where your principal place of business is located. Any publication that meets state and county requirements may be used for the print advertisement, but Miami Today is a popular choice. Miami Today typically charges $99 and provides a specific Fictitious Name Advertisement Request Form. - Fictitious Name Filing
The filing for a Florida Fictitious Name may be submitted using the Sunbiz FL Fictitious Name online form, or by printing and mailing the .PDF version of the fictitious name application. The online option is generally processed faster, but the fee is $50 either way and you should expect to provide the following information:
- Business Name
- Mailing Address
- Principal County
- EIN
- Owner(s) Names and Details
Want to save some hassle and let the experts handle it? Order registered agent service or company formation and add DBA filing at checkout—we can even take care of the publication requirement so you don’t have to!
Registering your Florida LLC or Corporation in Miami
Incorporated entities, like Florida LLCs, corporations, nonprofits, and limited partnerships provide more protection than a DBA.
An incorporated business creates a new legal entity separate from the individuals who own it. So whether you’ve decided to form a Florida LLC, corporation, nonprofit, or limited partnership, you can expect the registration to require a little bit more information.
On the Articles of Organization or Incorporation, you’ll need to include details like a Florida registered agent, business purpose, etc. For full how-to guides, visit our pages dedicated to starting a Florida LLC or Florida Corporation. Regardless of which entity type you choose, the basic steps are similar.
- Choose a Business Name
Check sunbiz.org to see if your preferred business name is already in use. - Designate a Registered Agent
Designate a registered agent to receive state mail and service of process on behalf of your business. - Submit Filing Form & Fee
File the appropriate formation documents online or by mail to the Florida Secretary of State.
Get liability protection & help maintain your privacy with a Florida LLC.
Florida Registered Agent offers an LLC Formation Package that’s a cut above the rest.
- LLC Formation
- Business Address
- Same-Day Document Scans
- Registered Agent for One Year
- Renewal Service Enrollment
- Lifetime Customer Service
- Attorney-Drafted Operating Agreement
- Phone Service with Local Area Code
- 90-Day Free Trial of Website & Phone Service
$274 Total (Includes State Fees)
3. Apply for an EIN
After your initial state filing is complete, you will work through your business filings like a funnel, starting with federal requirements, working your way down to additional state level requirements, and then down to Miami-Dade County. A Federal Employee Identification Number (FEIN or, more commonly, EIN) will be requested or required for most of your next steps.
What’s an EIN (Employer Identification Number)?
An EIN is a tax identification number for your business. Sometimes called a Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN) or simply a tax ID, the IRS assigns your business an EIN as a unique identifier. It works a little like a social security number for your company. The IRS uses this number for federal tax purposes, such as tracking the federal withholdings of your employees.
An EIN is free to file directly with the IRS, or if you are hiring us to start your business, you can add the EIN filing under “optional items” and we’ll take care of it for you.
4. Register for Florida State Taxes
If your Miami business is selling any taxable goods or services, you’ll need to complete the Florida Business Tax Registration through the Florida Department of Revenue. Your business should not operate without first completing the tax registration, but you’ll need an EIN to do so. Complete this step only after the Secretary of State has approved your filing and the IRS has issued your EIN.
State Income Tax
Florida in one of the few states that doesn’t have a state income tax. However, there is a base, statewide 6% sales tax. Miami-Dade County has an additional 1% sales tax, so your company should collect and remit a 7% sales tax on all taxable goods and services.
Corporate Tax
Florida’s corporate tax is based on the federal taxable income, and then modified by adjustments through other variables like the current exemption of $50,000. See the Tax Base & Rate at the Florida Department of Revenue’s site for more information.
| Taxable Year Beginning | Prior to 1/1/2019 | 1/1/2019 – 12/31/2020 | 1/1/2021 – 12/31/2021 | On or After 1/1/2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tax Rate | 5.5% | 4.458% | 3.535% | 5.5% |
Other State Business Taxes
By completing the online Florida Business Tax Application, the interactive help tool will determine tax registration requirements for your business. You can also check your specific industry on the Open My Florida Business Site to see what additional taxes you may be responsible for.
Remote Sales Tax
Remotes sales refer to retail ordered online, by mail, or by phone from a business outside of Florida. Florida does tax remote sales, but generally only when they exceed $100,000 in the previous calendar year. Earning more than $100,000 from sales to Florida-based locations will typically require the retailer to register for taxes whether the retailer is based in Florida or using a out-of-state marketplace.
5. Obtain Florida Licenses
Florida doesn’t require a general state business license.
However, you may have specific licensing requirements for your business’s industry or profession. Each industry or professional license is regulated by and obtained through one of the following departments:
Finding the Licenses You Need
Aside from checking directly with the department that would logically oversee your industry, you can search the Florida Business Information Portal. This site keeps it easy. Even if you search only a single keyword like “cleaning” the site will offer options from soap manufacturing to building services to you can find the option that best aligns with your business. Once you have it narrowed down, view the details to see what your type of business needs.
6. Get Miami-Dade Licenses and Certificates
The “business license” for Miami-Dade County is actually called a local business tax receipt, but was formerly called the Occupational License. While a Miami-Dade County Local Business Tax Receipt and Tangible Personal Property Tax filings are required, your Miami business may also need additional local permits or certificates based on the industry or your business building itself.
Select an option below to learn more about some of the most common tax, permit and other certification requirements for new local businesses.
Local Business Tax Receipt
All businesses operating within Miami-Dade County are required to obtain a Miami-Dade County Local Business Tax Receipt.
To get started, review your business tax category to see if you’re eligible for an exemption, or have additional requirements. Apply for your Local Business Tax receipt in Miami-Dade County with the online application system or print the receipt application and submit it by mail or in person.
Submit in person at:
The Tax Collector’s Office
200 NW 2nd Avenue, Miami
Submit by mail to:
Miami-Dade Tax Collector
Local Business Tax Section
200 NW 2nd Ave
Miami, FL 33128
After you receive your Miami-Dade County Local Business Tax receipt, it must be prominently displayed at your business location and publicly visible.
Tangible Personal Property Taxes
Tangible personal property taxes are assessed according to the value of the assets used in a business to derive income. This includes equipment, furniture, and fixtures—physical items that can be moved, in other words—located in businesses and rental property.
Collected annually, the tangible personal property (TPP) tax return form in Miami-Dade County must be filed to the county property appraiser by April 1 each year to avoid costly penalties. Learn more about tangible personal property taxes from the county tax collector.
Convention and Tourist Taxes
The Miami-Dade Department of Regulatory and Economic Resources, Business Section, collects Convention and Tourist taxes for businesses operating short-term rentals and restaurants. These are actually three separate taxes stacked up in a trenchcoat—a bed tax, a food and beverage tax, and a homeless and domestic violence tax—but they’re collectively called the Convention and Tourist Taxes. If your business rents or leases short-term rentals (i.e., less than six months), and/or offers food and beverage service, you’ll remit a monthly tax return on the 1st of each month following the month where you collected income from guests and tenants.
- Businesses reporting only food and beverage revenue will register for a Food & Beverage Tax Account.
- Businesses reporting only rental revenues, or a combination of rental revenue and food and beverage revenue, will register for a Tourist Tax Account.
Completed forms can be emailed to [email protected], faxed to 305-375-5594, or mailed to the following address:
Department of Regulatory and Economic Resources
Business Section
11805 SW 26th Street, Suite 230
Miami, FL 33175
Building Permits
Visit the Permits website to find out what you need for your commercial space or building. Chances are good you’ll need one if you intend to add any new structures, like a shed or a carport, or if you need to install new plumbing, electrics, or even air conditioning. Need to knock down an interior wall? That’s a permit too.
Know the zoning requirements of the locations you want to open to ensure that you can operate your business there. Be sure that the space you are looking at can handle the type of business you plan to operate there before you sign a lease.
Certificate of Use
You must obtain a Certificate of Use before opening a business in Miami-Dade County. A Certificate of Use indicates that your business is permitted to operate in the zoning district in which it’s located.
You’ll use the county departmental Plan Status and Application Submittal Portal to apply for a Certificate of Use in unincorporated Miami-Dade County. If you’ll be operating within a specific municipality, you’ll use the same portal to submit a Miami-Dade County Approval of Municipal Certificate of Use application instead.
The Department of Regulatory and Economic Resources (ReR) knows things can get a little confusing. Check out their Guide to Applying for a Municipal or Unincorporated Certificate of Use for more assistance.
Miami Business Resources
City of Miami
- A Practical Business Resource Guide
Helpful, downloadable .pdf resources guide for starting a successful business in Miami
Miami-Dade County
- The Beacon Council
Miami-Dade County’s Official Economic Development Partnership guide - Business Grants and Resources
Links to popular business grants, tax incentives and other small business resources
For Miami Small Businesses
- Miami-Dade Small Business Enterprise
Get certified as a small business enterprise through the Miami-Dade Department of Regulatory and Economic Resources. Certification is the gateway to opportunities through the County’s Community Business Enterprise (CBE), Community Small Business Enterprise (CSBE), and more. - Florida Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
The Florida Small Business Development Center Network assists potential and existing business owners by providing the management advice, training and information needed to run a successful small business. Services are offered at little or no cost. - US Small Business Administration, South Florida
US Small Business Administration is a national organization but it has a local office right here in Miami. The SBA offers information on small business loans, grants, bonds and other financial assistance. - SCORE Miami Dade | Counselors to America’s Small Business
SCORE is a partner of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and offers counseling to help you start, grow and manage your business.
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