Corporate entities in Florida (corporations, LLC's, P.A.'s, PLLC's, etc) are required to file an annual report with the Florida Secretary of State to keep the entity active. This is a legal issue rather than a tax one but we like to remind our clients of the filing deadline because penalties for late filing are high. The entire filing can be handled online in a matter of minutes. You may wish to check with your attorney or registered agent as they often complete the filing as part of their annual fee.
To check to see if you or your attorney has already completed the filing visit the department of state's web site at
http://www.sunbiz.org. Click on the "Online Searches and Document Images" link.
Next click on the "Corporations, Trademarks, Limited Partnerships, & Limited Liability Companies" link on the left side of the page.
Next click the "Name List" link at left and type in the name of your company. Select your company from the list. Scroll to the bottom of the page to the "Document Images" section and locate the most recent "ANNUAL REPORT" filed for the entity. If the annual report date is not in 2007 you most likely have not filed yet. To be sure you can look at the last annual report. If it doesn't read "2007" you need to file. If no annual report is listed under the document images section you need to file.
To file you need to scroll back up the page and locate your Document Number. It should be located beneath and to the left of the corporation's mailing address. Write this number down and go back to
http://www.sunbiz.org.
Click on the button that says "Click here to file the 2007 Annual Report or Amended Annual Report!" Type in the document number of your corporation. Fill in the required fields and follow the instructions to file your report and pay the required fee.
Article originally appeared on Axiom CPA, P.A. (http://www.axiomcpa.com/).
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