How do you start a business in the state of Florida?

Please give me a step-by-step account of how to start a business based in the state of Florida and can operate in all 67 counties. The business in question is a combined land clearing and leveling AND logging company. Also, I need all the advice on securing startup capital (and how to get business loans guaranteed by the SBA), how to get it as a certified woman-owned business, how to get government contracts, how to establish business credit, how to transform this startup into a thriving corporation, and whatever else is necessary.

Every practical lead and advice is greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance. :-)

I sincerely apologize for not specifying what legal structure I wish to set the business up.I wish to set the business up as a privately-held corporation. Thank you in advance.

Depends on what type of business entity you are looking to set up and how you want the taxes to be passed through to your personal income.

Setting up a business is actually pretty easy in Florida. You go to sunbiz.org, click on electronic filing and file your articles of incorporation based on which business type you want to have (LLC or C-Corp). Then call the IRS @ 1-800-829-4933 and get your EIN number.

Setting up the business is a piece of cake, determining which business entity is right for you is a lot harder. My best advice would be to sit down with your accountant and just ask his opinion. If you don't have an accountant, it's probably a good time to start shopping around.

Once you've set up your business. Give me a call at the branch and we'll get your financing in order.

Frank
864-609-1600

EDIT:

A "privately held corporation" can be an LLC, S-Corp or C-Corp. Which one have you decided on?

EDIT2:

Ok,

After you've filed your articles of incorporation and gotten your EIN number, you'll need to file form 2553 (Subchapter S election)

The form can be found here:

http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f2553.pdf

Then you'll officially be an S-Corp.

Don't forget to file this when you pay your taxes at the end of the year:

http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f1120s.pd...

My consultation fee is $500 per hour. Let's get together, would Tuesday work for you or would next Friday be better?

, Florida is not nice to businesses, taxes are high,but go to myflorida.com, and good luck

Because this is going to be a complicated business, it will be impossible to give step-by-step instructions here. But, here's some good information.

You can register your business at:

http://www.myflorida.com/taxonomy/busine...

Your will need a Federal EIN to register your business. You can get an EIN online for free at:

http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/arti...

You're also going to need some face-to-face consulting advice. The Small Business Development Center offers free advice for start-up companies. Call them and set up a meeting. They will also be able to give you info about SBA loans. Your can find the Florida SBDC office at:

Florida SBDC
Mr. Jerry Cartwright, State Director
UNIVERSITY OF WEST FLORIDA
401 East Chase Street, Suite 100
Pensacola, FL 32502-6160
Phone: 850-473-7800
Fax: 850-473-7813
E-Mail: jcartwright@uwf.edu
Website: http://www.floridasbdc.com

One of the first things the SBDC will ask you to do is to create a business plan. Please take this advice!