As a small business owner, maintaining legal compliance can often feel akin to spinning multiple plates at once. There are instances, unfortunately, when a plate might topple, causing your business to fall into an inactive state. However, there’s no need to panic, as we’re here to shed light on the process of business reinstatement, which can transition your dissolved business back to active status.

Businesses can become inactive when the state involuntarily dissolves them. This may occur if the business fails to submit required reports, tax filings, or other required administrative filings. So, you missed the deadline for filing one of these documents? Now what?

An entity, be it a corporation, limited liability company, limited partnership, or limited liability limited partnership, which has been administratively dissolved or revoked, can return to active status with this application.

A reinstatement application returns an administratively dissolved or revoked business entity to an active status. Below, you’ll find the steps to reinstate your business.

Steps to reinstate your business:

• Document Number: Your Florida business entity’s document number is the 6 or 12 digit number assigned by the Department of State’s Division of Corporations during its initial registration. Your document number is necessary for certain procedures and important filings, including your company’s annual report. Can’t remember your Document number?  Search the records by name.
• Entity Name: The official name of your business on state records. If inactive for more than a year, name availability will need checking before processing reinstatement.
• Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN): The 9-digit number the Internal Revenue Service assigned to the business for federal tax identification purposes.
• Email Address: Include your email address to receive the application submission confirmation, certification (if requested), and future email communications from the Department.
• Principal Place of Business Address: The street address of the entity’s principal office.
• Mailing Address: The entity’s mailing address, if different from the principal address. (P.O. Box is acceptable.)
• Registered Agent Name, Address, and Signature: The registered agent is the individual or legal entity designated to accept service of process on behalf of the business. The registered agent must have a physical street address in Florida. P. O. Box addresses are not valid for registered agents. The application must be signed by the registered agent, confirming the agent’s familiarity with the Florida Statutes and accepting the obligations of this designation. **You can change your Florida registered agent on your reinstatement filing.
• Principals (Officers/Directors/Managers/Authorized Representatives/General Partners) Names and Addresses: Review the principals associated with this business entity. You can edit, add or delete the information listed by clicking on the provided options.
• Submit Payment: See fee schedule below.

How long does it take to be reinstated?

It depends. Quickest way would be submitting the reinstatement application online.

Reinstatement time varies. For companies dissolved less than a year ago, reinstatements post immediately upon online application and payment via credit card or a Prepaid Sunbiz E-File Account. However, for companies dissolved for more than a year, the reinstatement posting process can take 2-3 business days.

When paying by check or money order, your document will be processed in the order it was received. This will most likely take longer than paying the reinstatement fee online.

How much does it cost to reinstate my business?

This depends on the way your business entity is classified and the number of years the business was inactive. You must also pay all missed annual report fees for each year since the business status changed to “inactive”. See where your company stands below:

Reinstatement – Profit Corporation	$600.00	+ $150 for each reporting year
Reinstatement – Non-Profit Corporation	$175.00	+ $61.25 for each reporting year
Reinstatement – Limited Liability Company	$100.00	+ $138.75 for each reporting year
Reinstatement – Limited Partnership & Limited Liability Limited Partnership	$500.00**	**Florida law requires a $500 reinstatement fee for each year or part thereof the limited partnership was revoked + $500 filing fee for each reporting year due.

Conclusion

In sum, running your business can sometimes feel overwhelming, especially with legal and tax obligations. However, remember that professional help is available. This guide provides you a starting point for business reinstatement, ensuring you can smoothly resume your operations.

Ready to submit your application? Click here!

The legal process can get difficult, which is why we always recommend that you seek the assistance of counsel; or at least have a consultation. Schedule a consultation with one of our attorneys today to review the issues of your case, the legal options you may have, and certain rights that pertain to your unique situation.

Have more questions? Let us know by sending an email to: questions@legallotus.legal and we will do our best to develop content to provide you with direction and insight!

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