Florida LLC Types — Which Structure Is Right for You?

Choosing the right LLC structure in Florida depends on your specific situation — how many owners you have, what profession you practice, and your tax strategy. This guide covers every LLC type available under the Florida Revised LLC Act (Chapter 605, Florida Statutes) and explains which structure fits different business scenarios.

If you have not started the formation process yet, see our step-by-step formation guide.

Available LLC Types in Florida

Single-Member LLC

The most commonly formed LLC type in Florida. One owner, one member. Taxed as a "disregarded entity" by default — your LLC's income is reported on Schedule C of your personal Form 1040. Since Florida has no personal state income tax, a single-member LLC here pays no state-level tax at all on pass-through income.

Single-member LLCs in Florida still receive charging order protection under §605.0503, though the protection is stronger for multi-member LLCs. Ideal for solo entrepreneurs, freelancers, real estate investors holding individual properties, and side businesses.

Multi-Member LLC

Two or more owners share ownership, profits, and management responsibilities. Taxed as a partnership by default (Form 1065), with each member receiving a Schedule K-1 for their share of income.

Multi-member LLCs receive the strongest asset protection Florida offers: under §605.0503, a charging order is the exclusive remedy available to a judgment creditor against a member's transferable interest. This means a creditor of one member cannot force dissolution, compel distributions, or seize LLC assets. They can only receive distributions if and when the LLC makes them. This makes multi-member Florida LLCs particularly attractive for asset protection planning.

Series LLC — Not Available in Florida

Florida does not authorize Series LLCs. Chapter 605 does not include provisions for protected series. If you need separate liability compartments for distinct business activities or assets (such as multiple rental properties), you must form individual LLCs for each.

Some neighboring states (like Delaware and Nevada) do allow Series LLCs, but even in those states, series LLC protections are not universally recognized across state lines. Florida real estate investors typically use a structure of separate LLCs — one per property — often under a holding company LLC. See our Series LLC page for alternative structures available to Florida business owners.

Professional LLC (PLLC)

Required for licensed professionals who want LLC liability protection. Under §605.1201-1207, the following professionals (among others) must form a Professional LLC rather than a standard LLC:

• Attorneys (Florida Bar)
• Physicians and surgeons (DOH)
• Certified Public Accountants (DBPR)
• Architects (DBPR)
• Engineers (FBPE)
• Dentists (DOH)
• Veterinarians (DOH)
• Psychologists (DOH)

A PLLC files the same Articles of Organization (Form INHS18) through Sunbiz.org but must include language confirming all members are licensed in the same profession. The state filing fee is the same $125. The PLLC does not protect members from liability for their own professional malpractice — it protects them from liability for the malpractice of other members.

Foreign LLC

A "foreign LLC" is an LLC formed in another state that wants to transact business in Florida. If you formed your LLC in Delaware, Wyoming, or elsewhere and have employees, an office, or ongoing business activity in Florida, you must register as a foreign LLC with the Division of Corporations.

Registration requires filing an Application for Authorization (Form INHS62) with a $125 fee. You must also maintain a Florida registered agent. The annual report obligation ($138.75 by May 1) applies to foreign LLCs just as it does to domestic ones.

Domestic vs. Foreign LLC

Should you form in Florida directly or form in another state (like Delaware or Wyoming) and register in Florida as a foreign LLC? We break down the practical analysis — for most businesses operating primarily in Florida, forming domestically is simpler and cheaper. You avoid paying fees and maintaining compliance in two states.

Choosing the Right Structure

Management Structure: Member-Managed vs. Manager-Managed

Separate from the type of LLC, you must declare your management structure on the Articles of Organization:

Member-managed (most common for small Florida LLCs): All members have authority to bind the LLC and participate in management decisions. Under §605.04074, each member is an agent of the LLC for purposes of conducting business.

Manager-managed: One or more designated managers handle operations and can bind the LLC. Other members are passive and have no individual authority to bind the LLC. Common when you have investor-members who do not participate in day-to-day operations.

This choice is made on Form INHS18 and appears in the public record. It affects who banks, landlords, and vendors will recognize as having authority to act on the LLC's behalf.

Comparing LLC to Other Entities

Not sure an LLC is the right choice at all? See our comparison guides:

• LLC vs Sole Proprietorship — liability protection analysis
• LLC vs Corporation — governance, taxation, fundraising
• LLC vs S-Corp — tax election strategy
• LLC vs Partnership — why a multi-member LLC beats a general partnership
• Florida vs Delaware LLC — when Delaware actually makes sense
• Florida vs Wyoming LLC — privacy and cost comparison

FAQ

What is the most common LLC type in Florida?

Single-member LLCs are the most commonly formed structure. They offer the simplest compliance path — no partnership return, no K-1s, disregarded entity status for federal taxes, and no state income tax in Florida. Multi-member LLCs are the second most common, especially among real estate investors and business partners.

Can I change my LLC type later?

Yes. You can add members (converting from single-member to multi-member), remove members, elect S-corp or C-corp taxation, or even convert your LLC to a corporation under §605.1061-1063 by filing with the Division of Corporations. Adding or removing members does not require a state filing — it is handled through your operating agreement — but a change from member-managed to manager-managed requires filing an amendment.

Do I need a Professional LLC if I'm a consultant?

Generally no. Professional LLC requirements under §605.1201 apply only to professions that require a state-issued license to practice — law, medicine, accounting, architecture, engineering, and similar regulated fields. If you are a business consultant, marketing consultant, or technology consultant without a state professional license, a standard LLC is appropriate.

Why does not Florida allow Series LLCs?

When the legislature adopted the Florida Revised LLC Act (Chapter 605) in 2013 (effective 2015), it chose not to include Series LLC provisions. The Revision Commission cited concerns about uncertainty in how other states and federal courts would treat series, bankruptcy complications, and tax ambiguity. Florida investors who need asset separation use individual LLCs — each one filed separately at $125, each with its own $138.75 annual report.

Which LLC type provides the best asset protection in Florida?

Multi-member LLCs provide the strongest charging order protection under §605.0503. A creditor of an individual member can only obtain a charging order — they cannot force distributions, participate in management, or compel liquidation. Single-member LLCs also have charging order protection, but some courts nationally have been less consistent with single-member protections. See our asset protection guide for details.