I was just wondering if there was any florida based webhosts that might be able to give me some information about starting a webhost, such as if a permit is needed, etc...

Thank you in advance for your replies.

Yes, at the very least you need to register a 'fictitious name'.

You need a Fictitious name permit from the state if you are doing business under any name except your own. (You can do this online. )

Then in most cities and counties you need to get a business permit.

We're based out of Boca Raton. When we started, we had to get a fictitious name, business license, and a reseller certificate for the state of Florida. Total cost being around $150

Fictitious Name: $70
License: $50
Resellers: $5


Hope this helps

Nice thanks for all the replies.

I''m in fort lauderdale, and i'm going to go looking around for information on getting the fictious name and stuff.

Have any of you tried http://www.amerilawyer.com for setting up your corporation?

I'm thinking about getting my corporation done from them.

You might try contacting a CPA to get you incorporated instead of a lawyer ... probably cheaper and faster. Make sure you incorporate and then immediately get the Federal Tax ID. Even though the state of Florida doesn't tax you on web hosting (since its considered "service" by the state) you'll still have to pay the Federal - if you're doing cash no one will know, but if you're taking credit cards your merchant company WILL report what they put in your account so make sure you put enough aside for tax time.

Exovian,
I am in Melbourne. What is the Reseller certificate? I may have misssed that one.

I just did a quick search and could not find information about which business license to get. How do you know between all the departments in Florida? I am such a nerd for taking the time to look all this up, but its interesting none the less.

By the way, google pulls up nothing related to 'florida reseller license'.

Have a good one,

jtarchie

I've never even heard of that ...

All you need to host websites in Florida is a corporation. That's it ... when you try to apply for a state tax ID, they will reject it saying web hosting is not taxable in the state of Florida.

Anyone had any luck finding information here?

http://myflorida.com/

or

http://www.sunbiz.org/

Originally posted by Indy4
I've never even heard of that ...

All you need to host websites in Florida is a corporation.
Thanks for that information, but a friend and me are looking into starting a web design business and then have web hosting on top of that. We are still looking into all aspects business wise. I guess that is why I got confused.

That's it ... when you try to apply for a state tax ID, they will reject it saying web hosting is not taxable in the state of Florida.
Does this mean more money for me? :)

Originally posted by damainman
Anyone had any luck finding information here?

link removed because I am not allowed to post them yet.

or

link removed because I am not allowed to post them yet.
I have been to myflorida.com, but I just really get confused by everything in it. It just keeps linking back on itself so many times. There is no content or maybe I am just missing it somewhere. It has a :uzi: crappy search engine, too.

As for sunbiz... thanks for the site. Very useful.

We are a FL based corporation with offices here + VA. All we have here is a business license (your general occupational license) and the same in VA. We are a registered Subchapter S corp with the state of florida and have our name registered in the ficticious name registry in both states.

Does this mean more money for me?

Actually, yes. The state has decided that web hosting is a "service" and service isn't taxable in Florida. So you don't have to charge or pay sales tax.

Originally posted by damainman
Anyone had any luck finding information here?

http://myflorida.com/

or

http://www.sunbiz.org/

You register the ficticious name at sunbiz.org. To get a business license, you need to go to your local city/county office or website. There you register your business (as noted above, this is normally called an occupational license).

Thats the info i've been waiting for lol, Thanks Dac.

One question though, a few months ago i went to the website to register my occupational license, but i had no idea which one to get. I couldn't really find one relating to webhosting, or internet services.

Any suggestions on what the perticular license name is?

For Florida (Melbourne) I used #16365 Computer Service. Hosting is a Service, and I picked computer service.

Hi.
Even though you dont pay sales tax because hosting is in the "service" criteria, isn't Federal tax quiet alot anyways? (10% at the least I believe)..Along with self employment tax if you didn't have any employees am I correct? so if you ad those too it turns out to 20% and I'm in florida so after getting with the accountant this is what I get. Please let me know if this is correct or if you have any type of suggestions or pointers. thank you

Yes you must still pay your federal income tax and your social security taxes. The amount depends on your income.

It seems there is more hosts in the satae of Florida then any other state. I run by so many that are located here I wonder why that is.

*cough cough*

No state income tax...

That's one of the best things about Florida. ;)

Florida, in general, has a high tech job market. Here in Sarasota, in the last 2 years there's been a 75% increase in tech related jobs here.

Yeah no state tax in florida which is nice when this time of year comes around :)

I am in Boston now and all I currently have is a DBA, I did call the small business assoc. in Orlando and got a welcome pack from them with all the basic information needed to get going once the move takes place.

You may want to call your town/city hall of where you are moving and ask about any information regarding your local SBA and they will send you what is needed.

We are in Orlando and it is nice not to pay a states tax. But we still have all kinds of other taxes to pay. They are coming out with some new tax laws next year. So lets see how much they start to go up next tax season.