New Registered Agent Requirements: Effective January 1, 2026, all Florida business are required to have their Registered Agents physically present at the registered agent’s office during all business hours (typically 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday), and your Registered Agent’s offices must be a physical address; no P.O. Boxes.
What is a Registered Agent? In simple terms, a Registered Agent is your business' official "point of contact" for the state and the legal system, and is responsible for receiving important, time-sensitive documents on behalf of your LLC or corporation such as accepting "Service of Process" (legal notices like lawsuits or subpoenas) and official government mail. Not complying with this new law could lead to daily fines as much as $1,000.00 per day.
Minimum Wage Increase
Continuing the multi-year phase-in, Florida’s minimum wage is scheduled for its final major milestone:
- Effective September 30, 2026: The state minimum wage will increase to $15.00 per hour for non-tipped employees.
- Waiver Exception: Under the new "On-the-Job Workforce Training Act" (effective July 1, 2026), certain employees in internships or work-based learning programs may voluntarily sign a waiver to receive the federal minimum wage ($7.25) instead of the state minimum for a limited duration (typically 126–252 days).
New Leave Mandates
- Parental Medical Leave: Effective January 1, 2026, employees are entitled to up to 25 hours of unpaid leave during the first year after a child’s birth or adoption for medical and pediatric appointments.
- NICU Leave: Effective June 1, 2026, employers with more than 15 employees must provide unpaid, job-protected leave (10–20 days depending on company size) for parents of children in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
- Domestic Violence Recording: As of January 1, 2026, employers must allow employees to use company-issued devices to record incidents.
Filing Your Annual Report
All profit corporation, limited liability company, limited partnership or limited liability limited partnership are required to file an annual report every year with the state of Florida on www.sunbiz.org. All companies have until 11:59 PM EST on Friday May 1, 2026, to file their annual report before a late fee of up to $500.00 is assessed, plus the annual filing fee. If a company misses the May 1st deadline, it will be asses the fine and will have until the third Friday in September to avoid administrative dissolution. If your company is administratively dissolved, owners/members may be subject to personal liability for company matters. After a period of dissolution, your business name becomes "available" again. Another entrepreneur could legally take your name while you are inactive.
Why Annual Minutes Are Important
For corporations (INCs) and limited liability companies (LLCs), maintaining good corporate records is crucial. Formally documenting the annual meeting of shareholders and/or directors (or members/managers for an LLC) helps to:
- Comply with State Law: While Florida corporations are legally required to hold annual meetings and record minutes, your bank or a lender might. If you apply for a business loan or try to open a high-level commercial account, they often ask for "Meeting Minutes" or a "Member Resolution" to prove that the business officially authorized the action.
- Protect the Corporate Veil: For both LLCs and corporations, it demonstrates that the company is operating as a genuine, distinct entity separate from its owners, which is vital for maintaining liability protection (the "corporate shield").
- Formalize Decisions: Keeping annual minutes creates a documented record of important annual decisions, such as the election of officers and directors, ratification of key transactions, and review of financial performance.