Legal Requirements

What Does the Law Require?

Licenses & Registration
Taxes | Workforce
 

Featured Links: For a general overview of Florida licensing requirements, taxes, and more, check out the New Business Start-Up Guide from Florida Trend Magazine.    See also MyFlorida.com for general business information including licenses, permits, regulations, taxes and more. Determine your business structure.    Business Support & Assistance  Need help?  Personal assistance is available to new or established businesses through a variety of local business organizations and educational institutions.  Free or low-cost counseling, seminars, resources, and more are available.

Licenses & Registration

City/Municipal   If your business establishment is located within the city limits, you will be required to obtain both a city and county Business Tax Receipt/Occupational License.  Altamonte Springs - Casselberry - Lake Mary/Heathrow - Longwood - Oviedo - Sanford - Winter Springs.

County  Every business in Seminole County is required to maintain a current Business Tax Receipt/Occupational License. These are valid for one year, from October 1 through September 30. Check out this handy Information Guide for New Business Owners from the Seminole County Tax Collector. 

Fictitious Name   Register your fictitious name online.  Search the State of Florida Fictitious Name database for all establishments doing business as (dba) a certain name, or by keyword. The database allows searching within your county for new business names registered in the last week.  Search the U.S. Trademarks database for current and past usage of names.

Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation  This department regulates Florida businesses and professionals in hundreds of categories.  Check here for a list of professions that require a DBPR license. 

Florida Division of Corporations   The Division's Sunbiz Web site serves as the central location for Florida business filings, fictitious name registrations, trade and service mark registrations, notary commissions, and more.   Start here for Florida business registration, tax registration information, and more.  Get answers to Frequently Asked Questions regarding doing business in Florida.  Print forms or file electronically. 
 

Please note:   Registering a business in Florida may require an entity to register not only with the State but also with the local county and city governments. Corporate entities are usually required to register with the Florida Division of Corporations, while many professions are required to register with the Department of Business and Professional Regulation. Occupational licenses can be obtained from the county and city where you are doing business.

For those professions/businesses not covered by the DBPR,  see the following:   Child care facilities are licensed through the Florida Department of Children and Families.   Agricultural services, auto repair shops, movers, health studios, travel agencies and others are regulated through the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. 

Taxes

Employer Identification Number  Apply here for your Federal Tax ID Number. 

Federal & State Taxes  An overview from Florida Trend Magazine.

Florida Department of Revenue   The DOR is responsible for collecting business taxes in Florida. A DOR Tax Payer Service Center is located in Maitland.

IRS Small Business and Self-Employed Tax Center  Information, forms, publications, and more. 

MyFlorida.com Tax Information  Sales tax, corporate income tax, online forms, and more.

Small Business Administration  Florida tax obligations.            
    
Tangible Personal Property Taxes  Paid yearly on furniture, equipment, etc. that is used in a business.

Workforce

Affordable Care Act  Find out what it means for your small business.  Small Business Administration.

E-Verify  Use this Federal database to determine the eligibility of your employees to work in the U.S.

Employee Safety  Check out OSHA regulations for creating a safe work environment.   Occupational Safety & Health Administration.

Florida Small Business Owners' Insurance Guide   Information on workers' comp, liability, property, health, auto, etc.

Guide to the Affordable Care Act  From the Florida Division of Consumer Services.

Health Insurance Marketplace   Shop for health insurance for your employees through the Federal Government's official consumer site.  In addition, see Florida's Health Insurance Marketplace. 

Insurance  Find out about the different types of insurance available to small business owners.

Labor Law   If you plan to hire employees, you will need to be familiar with Federal and State labor laws.

Workers' Compensation  As an employer, find out what you need to comply with State regulations.