How Florida compares
Ranked against the other 49 states on the figures we hold. Rates that combine state and local components — sales tax, the minimum wage where it varies by region — are shown on this page but not ranked, because a single number would misstate them.
| Figure | FL | Nationally | In its region |
|---|---|---|---|
| PopulationUS Census Bureau, Vintage 2025 estimates, July 1, 2025 | 23,462,518 | 3rd highest of 50 | 1 of 12 |
| GDP ($bn)Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2025 | 1835 | 4th highest of 50 | 1 of 12 |
| Median household incomeUS Census Bureau, ACS 2024 1-year, 2024 | $77,735 | 26th highest of 50 | 3 of 12 |
| Unemployment rateBureau of Labor Statistics, LAUS (seasonally adjusted, preliminary), September 2026 | 4.4% | tied 37th lowest of 50 | 11 of 12 |
| Foreign-born shareUS Census Bureau, ACS 2024 1-year, 2024 | 23.1% | 4th highest of 50 | 1 of 12 |
| Property tax ratechecked Nov 2026; confirm with the Florida legislature | 0.89% | 25th lowest of 50 | 11 of 12 |
| Deposit return window (days)checked Nov 2026; confirm with the Florida legislature | 15 | tied 7th lowest of 50 | 1 of 12 |
| Eviction notice (days)checked Nov 2026; confirm with the Florida legislature | 3 | tied 31st highest of 50 | 9 of 12 |
| Final pay deadline (days)checked Nov 2026; confirm with the Florida legislature | 0 | tied 1st lowest of the 29 states that set one | 1 of 5 |
- State income tax: no9 of 50 states answer the same way
- At-will employment: yesthe same in all 50 states — it does not set Florida apart
- Paid sick leave required: no30 of 50 states answer the same way
- Paid family leave: no38 of 50 states answer the same way
- Workers' comp required: yes49 of 50 states answer the same way
- Rent control permitted: no46 of 50 states answer the same way
- Annual report required: yes43 of 50 states answer the same way
Statistical figures: US Census Bureau, Vintage 2025 estimates (July 1, 2025) · US Census Bureau, ACS 2024 1-year (2024) · Bureau of Economic Analysis (2025) · Bureau of Labor Statistics, LAUS (seasonally adjusted, preliminary) (September 2026) · SBA Office of Advocacy, 2025 Small Business Profiles (2025). Tax, wage, business and tenancy figures are recorded from state sources and were last checked on 2026-11-05 — confirm anything you are about to act on with the Florida legislature.
What's changing in Florida
Enacted changes with a fixed effective date. Contracts, payroll and leases signed now may run past these dates.
Took effect in the last 12 months
- September 30, 2026Minimum wage rose to $15.00/hr
Final step of Amendment 2 (2020); inflation indexing resumes with the first adjustment on January 1, 2028.
Source ↗
Checked against official sources on 2026-11-05.
How long you have in Florida
The periods that decide whether something is on time. Days are calendar days unless the underlying rule says otherwise.
- Return a security deposit within
- 15 days
- Eviction notice before filing
- 3 days
- Final paycheck within
- 0 days
- LLC formation processed in
- 3—5 business days
- Annual report due
- May 1 annually
- Overtime starts after
- 40 hours/week (FLSA)
AI Legal Insights — Florida
AI-generated · Updated July 2026
Florida operates under a civil law influence within a common law framework, with the Florida Supreme Court serving as the highest judicial authority. The state is known for its robust consumer protection statutes and specific regulations regarding landlord-tenant relations and maritime law due to its extensive coastline.
Florida offers a highly competitive business environment characterized by a lack of state income tax and a high density of small businesses. Key industries include tourism, aerospace, and international trade, supported by a regulatory environment that favors rapid commercial development.
With a foreign-born population of 20.6%, Florida maintains a significant immigrant community that drives much of the state's labor market. While the state has implemented several restrictive immigration-related laws, it remains a major hub for international commerce and diverse cultural integration.
- ›Ensure all real estate contracts comply with Florida'<pad>s specific disclosure requirements to avoid rescission rights.
- ›Include a clear choice-of-law clause specifying Florida law to avoid<pad> unexpected jurisdictional disputes in multi-state transactions.
- ›Be mindful of Florida's strict statutes regarding non-compete agreements, which must be reasonable in time, area, and line of business to be enforceable.
AI-generated insights · Verify with a licensed attorney before relying on this information.
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Employment Laws
Florida labor regulations
Florida is an at-will employment state that follows federal FLSA standards for overtime. The state minimum wage reached $15.00/hr on September 30, 2026, the final step of Amendment 2 (2020); annual inflation adjustments begin with the first increase on January 1, 2028. Florida does not mandate paid sick leave or paid family leave, and state law bars local governments from requiring them. Workers' compensation is required for employers with 4 or more employees (1 or more in construction).
| Law | FL Rule | Federal Floor |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Wage | $15.00/hr since Sept 30, 2026; tipped employees $11.98/hr; inflation indexing from Jan 1, 2028 | $7.25/hr |
| Overtime | After 40 hrs/week (FLSA applies) | FLSA: after 40 hrs/week |
| Paid Sick Leave | None (no state mandate; local mandates preempted) | None (federal) |
| Paid Family Leave | None | FMLA: 12 weeks unpaid |
| Workers Comp | Required for 4+ employees (1+ in construction) | Federal employees: yes |
| At-Will Employment | Yes | Default nationwide |
| Final Paycheck | No state final-pay statute; pay by the next regular payday is standard practice | No federal deadline |
| Meal Breaks | No state requirement for adults; child labor law requires breaks for minors | No federal requirement |
| E-Verify | Required for private employers with 25+ employees (since July 1, 2023) | Voluntary for most private employers |
- The Florida Civil Rights Act prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, disability, and marital status for employers with 15 or more employees.
- Employers may not fire employees for jury service, and returning service members have reemployment rights under the federal USERRA.
- The Florida Private Whistleblower Act protects employees of employers with 10 or more employees who object to or report violations of law.
- Non-compete agreements are enforceable if reasonable and supported by a legitimate business interest, and a 2025 law (the CHOICE Act) makes certain longer non-competes for higher earners easier to enforce.
- State law preempts local governments from setting their own minimum wage or requiring employer-provided benefits such as paid leave.
- Amendment 2 (2020) raised the minimum wage in annual steps to $15.00 on September 30, 2026; inflation adjustments start January 1, 2028.
Sources: U.S. Department of Labor state minimum wage table · state labor agencies (checked Nov 2026)
Landlord-Tenant Laws
Florida rental regulations
Florida is a landlord-friendly state with no rent control (local rent control has been preempted since 2023) and no statutory limit on security deposits. Landlords must return deposits within 15 days if no claim is made, or send written notice of a claim within 30 days. Eviction for non-payment requires a 3-day written notice, excluding weekends and legal holidays. Since July 1, 2025, landlords and tenants may agree in writing to deliver notices by email.
| Topic | FL Rule |
|---|---|
| Security Deposit | No statutory limit; landlords must disclose how and where the deposit is held |
| Deposit Return | Within 15 days if no deductions; otherwise written notice of the claim within 30 days, and the tenant has 15 days to object |
| Rent Control | Local rent control is preempted by state law (since 2023) |
| Eviction Notice (Non-Payment) | 3-day written notice to pay or vacate (excluding weekends and legal holidays) |
| Lease Violation | 7-day notice to cure for curable violations; 7-day notice to vacate without a chance to cure for serious or repeated violations |
| Rent Withholding | Tenant may withhold rent after giving 7 days' written notice if the landlord fails to maintain the premises as required |
| Landlord Entry | At least 24 hours' notice for repairs, at a reasonable time; no notice needed in emergencies |
| Retaliation Protection | Landlords cannot raise rent, reduce services, or evict in retaliation for good-faith tenant complaints or exercising legal rights |
| Lease Termination | Month-to-month: at least 30 days' written notice; week-to-week: 7 days' notice |
| Email Notices | Since July 1, 2025, landlord and tenant may agree in writing to send notices by email |
Both landlords and tenants have enforceable rights under Florida law. Document all communications and keep copies of your lease agreement. Use AI review to spot risky clauses before signing.
Starting a Business
Florida LLC formation guide
Florida has no personal income tax and an LLC formation cost of $125, with processing usually in 3–5 business days. The corporate income tax rate is 5.5%. LLC annual reports are due by May 1 ($138.75), and there is no newspaper publication requirement. Florida's economy, about $1.8 trillion in GDP, is home to roughly 3.5 million small businesses.
Step-by-step LLC formation
- 1Choose a business name — must include "LLC," "L.L.C.," or "Limited Liability Company"; check availability at search.sunbiz.org
- 2File Articles of Organization with the Florida Division of Corporations (sunbiz.org) — $125 total ($100 filing fee plus $25 registered agent designation)
- 3Designate a Florida registered agent — must have a physical Florida street address
- 4Get an EIN from the IRS — free at irs.gov/ein
- 5Register with the Florida Department of Revenue (floridarevenue.com) for sales tax if selling taxable goods or services, and for reemployment tax if you have employees
- 6File the annual report by May 1 each year — $138.75 fee for LLCs (a $400 late fee applies after May 1)
- 7Open a business bank account using your EIN and Articles of Organization
- 8Check local business tax receipt (BTR) requirements in the county and city where you operate
Every LLC also needs a free EIN from the IRS (Form SS-4). Apply online at irs.gov — takes about 15 minutes and is required to open a business bank account.
Popular IRS Forms
Most-filed federal forms for Florida taxpayers
Fill these out online with plain-English guidance — every field explained, no accountant required. Download as a ready-to-file PDF when done.
The main annual federal income tax return every taxpayer files.
Fill out free →Give your SSN or EIN to a client before getting paid as a contractor.
Fill out free →Report $600+ paid to independent contractors during the year.
Fill out free →Tell your employer how much federal tax to withhold from pay.
Fill out free →Report income and expenses from a sole proprietorship or LLC.
Fill out free →Report payroll taxes withheld from employees each quarter.
Fill out free →Get an automatic 6-month extension to file your 1040.
Fill out free →The year-end wage statement employers issue to each employee.
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Federal Offices
United States government offices in Florida
Walk-in assistance by appointment only. Call (844) 545-5640 to schedule, or book online at irs.gov.
Immigration appointments via my.uscis.gov or call (800) 375-5283.
Free Legal Aid
Florida legal assistance organizations
These organizations provide free or reduced-cost civil legal services to qualifying Florida residents.
Free civil legal services for low-income residents of Broward County
Free civil legal help across Central Florida counties
Free civil legal services for low-income residents of the Tampa Bay area
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Florida Cities
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