March 29, 2024
Abide by the Law

Photo: iStock

Step 3

Abide by the Law

| 6/2/2023

Business owners in Florida need to be aware of and fluent in specific laws as they relate to two broad categories: Taxes and Labor, each of which has specific rules pertaining to state and federal jurisdiction.

TAXES
Anyone who launches a business in the U.S. should expect, at the very least, to pay federal income tax on their earnings. Depending on your business type, size and personnel, you also may be subject to various state levies, including reemployment tax, sales and use tax and tangible personal property tax.

FLORIDA TAXES

Corporate Income Tax
Corporations are subject to a 5.5% corporate income tax and must file a return annually even if no tax is due. C-corporations pay the tax on Form F-1120. If your corporation owes more than $2,500 annually in Florida corporate tax, you must make quarterly estimated tax payments.

Limited liability companies classified as corporations must file a Florida Partnership Information Return (Form F-1065) if they are doing business in Florida and one or more of their owners is a corporation. Also required to file: the corporate owner of an LLC that is classified as a partnership for Florida and federal income tax purposes.

S-corporations usually do not have to file a Florida corporate income tax return unless there is federal taxable income.
Due: April 30, July 31, Oct. 31, Jan. 31

Reemployment Tax
Required of Floridians who paid at least $1,500 in wages within a calendar quarter, have employed one person for any portion of a day in 20 different weeks during the calendar year or are liable for federal unemployment tax.
Due: April 30, July 31, Oct. 31, Jan. 31

Sales and Use Tax
Businesses engaged in taxable transactions must register online or by mail with the Florida Department of Revenue using Form DR-1 (Florida Business Tax Application). Taxes may be filed electronically or, if less than $20,000 per year, on Form DR-15. Businesses having $1,000 or less per year to report may file quarterly; $500 or less, semiannually; $100 or less, annually.

Note: Florida imposes a statewide general sales tax rate of 6%. However, individual counties may impose an additional tax of up to 2.5% on transactions that are subject to state sales and use tax; report this surtax on Form DR-15 along with sales and use tax.

Use Tax on Out-of-State Purchases
When out-of-state sellers fail to collect Florida sales tax, buyers must make the payment on their own using Form DR-15MO. These payments apply to items purchased out of state from internet sites, mail order catalogs, auctions, shopping networks or toll-free shopping services, and to items physically purchased out of state when the merchandise is shipped to a Florida address.
Due: First day of the month after the quarter in which the purchase was made.

Tangible Personal Property Tax
An annual tax on all goods, property other than real estate and other articles of value that an owner can physically possess, and which have intrinsic value. Anyone who owns Tangible Personal Property on January 1 and has a proprietorship, partnership or corporation, or is a self-employed agent or contractor, must submit Form DR-405 to the county appraiser by April 1 each year. Property owners who lease, lend or rent property must also file a TPP return annually by April 1.

FEDERAL TAXES

Personal Income Tax
For sole proprietorships and partnerships, profits and losses from the business are typically passed through to the owners and reported on their individual income tax returns. Under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act passed in 2017, some small business owners may continue to qualify for a 20% pass-through deduction that is currently scheduled to last through 2025. For more detailed information, consult a tax professional.
Due: April 15 / Quarterly estimates due: April 15, June 15, Sept. 15, Jan. 15

Self-Employment Tax
All net profits derived from doing business as either a sole proprietor or partnership with no employees are subject to federal self-employment tax, which is equivalent to the Medicare and Social Security taxes employers withhold from their employees’ paychecks.
Due: April 15

 

 

LABOR LAW
You don’t have to be an expert in labor law to run a business, but it helps to have a working knowledge of federal and state requirements for employee health, wages, safety and fair treatment.

FEDERAL LABOR LAWS

Federal Minimum Wage
Adjusted annually in September based on a set formula. Currently $11 per hour in Florida; scheduled to increase by $1 per hour annually with an end goal of $15 per hour by September 30, 2026. (dol.gov)

Occupational Safety and Health Act
Requires businesses to protect their workers from health and safety hazards on the job. (osha.gov)

The Americans with Disabilities Act
Prohibits employment discrimination against qualified individuals with disabilities; requires public accommodations and commercial facilities to comply with specified accessibility standards. (ada.gov)

Family and Medical Leave
Requires businesses employing 50 or more to give certain employees up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave per year (26 weeks for qualifying military caregivers) while preserving their health benefits. (dol.gov/whd/fmla)

Equal Pay Act
Prohibits wage discrimination between men and women performing equal work within the same workplace. (eeoc.gov)

STATE LABOR LAWS

Florida Minimum Wage
Currently $11 per hour; $7.98 per hour for tipped employees. Plans call for a minimum increase of $1 per hour annually in September with the goal of $15 per hour by September 2026.

Workers’ Compensation
Requires employers with four or more employees (full- or part-time) to carry workers’ compensation coverage for their employees; different requirements apply for construction and agriculture. (myfloridacfo.com/division/wc)

Child Labor
By law, workers under age 18 cannot work in certain hazardous occupations, including excavation, electrical work, roofing and mining, or around explosives, toxic or radioactive substances or dangerous equipment. Additional occupations are banned for children ages 14-15. Minors cannot work during school hours without an exemption. (myflorida.com/DBPR/child-labor)

Background Checks
Private citizens or companies may request a state-only criminal history record check of an individual through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement website for a fee of $24 per case. (fdle.state.fl.us)

Tags: Florida Small Business, Getting Started

Florida Business News

Ballot Box

Should Congress ban the popular social media app TikTok in the U.S.?

  • Yes
  • No
  • Need more details
  • What is TikTok?
  • Other (Comment below)

See Results

Florida Trend Media Company
490 1st Ave S
St Petersburg, FL 33701
727.821.5800

© Copyright 2024 Trend Magazines Inc. All rights reserved.