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FLORIDA LEGAL COUNSEL FOR PHILANTHROPY AND THE NONPROFIT SECTOR

FLORIDA


INFORMATION AND RESOURCES ON NONPROFIT LAW & REGULATION
      NONPROFIT LAW LIBRARY     STATE-BY-STATE REGISTRATION & COMPLIANCE

Starting A Nonprofit Organization in Florida

Welcome to the registration and compliance page for Florida nonprofit organizations. Below you will find information on initial filings required when starting a nonprofit organization in Florida, annual filing requirements for existing organizations, and employment filings for nonprofits with employees. This page also contains a link to the relevant nonprofit statute for the State of Florida.

NONPROFIT FORMATION

Starting a Nonprofit Organization in Florida: Initial Filings

1. To Incorporate in Florida

Submit Articles of Incorporation to:

Department of State
Division of Corporations
PO Box 6327
Tallahassee, FL 32314

Non-Profit Info.: (850) 245-6052
Web Site: www.sunbiz.org
Filing Fee: $35
Designation of Registered Agent Fee: $35

Note: The Articles of Incorporation may be filed online here.

3. To Obtain Florida Sales Tax Exemption

Submit Form DR-5, Application for Consumer's Certificate of Exemption to:

Account Management/Exemptions
Florida Department of Revenue
PO Box 6480
Tallahassee, FL 32314-6480

Phone: (800) 352-3671
Web Site: floridarevenue.com
Filing Fee: $0

Note: Additional documents may be required with the filing, depending upon the type of non-profit organization seeking exemption. Refer to the DR-5 instruction booklet for details.

4. To Register with the Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services

Submit Form DACS-10100, Registration Application, prior to engaging in solicitation to:

Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services
PO Box 6700
Tallahassee, FL 32314-6700

Information: (800) 435-7352 (in Florida only)
Alternate Phone: (850) 410-3800
Web Site: https://www.fdacs.gov/ConsumerServices
 Filing Fee: $10-400 (depending on amount of contributions received during the preceding fiscal year)

Notes: This filing may be completed online.

Some organizations are eligible to file the Exempt Charitable Organizations/Sponsors Application instead with no filing fee. See the Division of Consumer Services' website for details.

ANNUAL COMPLIANCE

Annual Filings for Florida Nonprofit Organizations

1. Florida Department of State

Form: Annual Report
Due Date: May 1

Annual Reports must be filed online. To do so, use the following website: https://services.sunbiz.org/filings/AnnualReport/FilingStart

Phone: (850) 245-6056
Web Site: www.sunbiz.org
Filing Fee: $61.25


3. Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services

Form: DACS-10100
Due Date: Form must be filed prior to engaging in solicitation activities in Florida and must be renewed annually. A pre-printed renewal form will be mailed approximately 60 days in advance of renewal date.

Florida Dept. of Agriculture & Consumer Services
Solicitation of Contributions
PO Box 6700
Tallahassee, FL 32314-6700

Phone: (850) 410-3800
Web Site: https://www.fdacs.gov/ConsumerServices  
Filing Fee: $10-400 (depending on the amount of contributions received during the preceding fiscal year)

Notes: This filing may be completed online.

If gross receipts between $500,000-$1,000,000, submit reviewed or audited financial statement with renewal.
If gross receipts above $1,000,000, submit audited financial statement with renewal.

Some organizations are exempt from registration/renewal. See website above for details.

EMPLOYMENT FILINGS

Florida Employment Filings

If the organization is a federally tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization and employs four or more workers for 20 weeks in a calendar year, the following filing is required:

To Register with the Florida Department of Revenue

Complete the Florida Business Tax Application for reemployment taxes online.

Florida Department of Revenue
5050 W Tennessee Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0100

Information: 800-352-3671
Web Site: dor.myflorida.com/dor/

Note: For more information, refer to the Department of Revenue's guide to the Reemployment Tax.

STATE STATUTES

Click here for Florida state statute information.