Start a Business in Pinellas County
The core sequence for launching a business in Pinellas County: register your entity with the Florida Division of Corporations (Sunbiz), get a free federal EIN from the IRS, register for state taxes if applicable, and check with your municipality to determine whether a city business tax receipt is required if you are located inside one of the 24 municipalities. Pinellas County itself does not require a county business tax receipt (repealed in 1995).
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Who needs this
Anyone forming an LLC, corporation, or partnership, or operating under a fictitious (DBA) name, in Pinellas County.
Steps
- 1
Choose a structure and register with Sunbiz
File Articles of Organization (LLC) or Articles of Incorporation (corporation) online with the Florida Division of Corporations. Required LLC total is $125 ($100 filing + $25 registered agent). Required corporation total is $70 ($35 filing + $35 registered agent designation). Certified copies and certificates of status are optional extras. Sole proprietors and partnerships operating under a name other than their legal name register a fictitious name (DBA) for $50 instead.
dos.fl.gov/sunbiz/ - 2
Get a free federal EIN from the IRS
Apply online at irs.gov. It is always free; the IRS warns against websites that charge for an EIN. Banks require an EIN to open a business account for entities.
irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/apply-for- - 3
Register for Florida taxes if applicable
If you sell taxable goods or services, rent commercial property, or hire employees, register with the Florida Department of Revenue for sales tax and/or reemployment tax.
floridarevenue.com/taxes/registration/ - 4
Check for a required state license
Many professions and businesses (restaurants, contractors, cosmetology, real estate, alcohol, etc.) need a DBPR license; retail food businesses need an FDACS food permit. See the dedicated workflows for each.
myfloridalicense.com/ - 5
Check whether you need a city business tax receipt
Pinellas County repealed its countywide occupational license/business tax in 1995 (Ordinance 95-53), so no county receipt is needed. Businesses located in incorporated municipalities may be required to obtain a business tax receipt; contact your municipality for more information.
pinellas.gov/occupational-licenses - 6
File your Sunbiz annual report each year
Due between January 1 and May 1. LLC annual report is $138.75; profit corporation is $150. A $400 late fee applies after May 1 ($538.75 / $550 totals).
dos.fl.gov/sunbiz/manage-business/efile/annual-report/
Requirements
- Distinguishable business name (search Sunbiz records first)
- Florida street address for the entity and a registered agent
- EIN for banking, hiring, and most tax registrations
Documents
- Articles of Organization or Incorporation (filed online)
- Operating agreement or bylaws (recommended, not filed)
Fees
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Florida LLC filing (required total) | $125.00 | $100 Articles of Organization + $25 registered agent fee; certified copy ($30) and certificate of status ($5) are optional |
| Florida profit corporation filing (required total) | $70.00 | $35 filing fee + $35 registered agent designation; optional extras additional |
| Fictitious name (DBA) registration | $50.00 | Renews every 5 years at $50 |
| LLC annual report | $138.75 | $538.75 if received after May 1 |
| Profit corporation annual report | $150.00 | $550.00 if received after May 1 |
| Federal EIN | $0 | Always free directly from the IRS |
Good to know
The Sunbiz fee page shows 'TOTAL $160.00' for LLCs and '$87.50' for corporations, but those totals include optional certified copy and certificate of status fees. The required totals are $125 and $70.