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 get a city business tax receipt if you are located inside one of the 24 municipalities. Pinellas County itself does not require a county business tax receipt (repealed in 1995).
Anyone forming an LLC, corporation, or partnership, or operating under a fictitious (DBA) name, in Pinellas County.
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/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-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/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/Get a city business tax receipt if you are inside a municipality
Pinellas County repealed its countywide occupational license/business tax in 1995 (Ordinance 95-53), so no county receipt is needed. If your business is located in one of the 24 cities (St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Largo, etc.), contact that city; most require a local business tax receipt.
pinellas.gov/occupational-licensesFile 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/| 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 |
Fee amounts change, the linked official schedule always controls.
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.