Florida is one of the states with no personal income tax, so a Florida freelancer’s tax bill is mostly federal. There are still a few Florida-specific obligations — mainly for LLCs and anyone who sells taxable goods.
What you pay on freelance profit in Florida
| Tax | Applies to Florida freelancers? |
|---|---|
| Federal self-employment tax (15.3%) | Yes |
| Federal income tax (10%–37%) | Yes |
| State personal income tax | No |
| Florida corporate income tax | Only for businesses taxed as C corporations, not sole proprietors or typical single-member LLCs |
| Sales tax | Only if you sell taxable goods or taxable services |
Self-employment tax ≈ 14.1% of profit and federal income tax ≈ 5.9%, so set aside about 20% of every payment — roughly $12,000 for the year — with nothing owed to the state. Try your numbers in the tax set-aside calculator with the state rate at 0.
If you have an LLC: the annual report
Florida LLCs must file an annual report with the Division of Corporations (Sunbiz) between January 1 and May 1 each year. The fee is $138.75. Miss May 1 and a $400 late fee is added, and the state does not waive it. An LLC that doesn’t file at all can eventually be administratively dissolved. A sole proprietor has no annual report to file.
Sales tax
Florida’s state sales tax is 6%, plus a county discretionary surtax in most counties. Most professional services are not taxable, but physical products generally are. If you sell goods — prints, crafts, merchandise — register with the Florida Department of Revenue and collect sales tax. Since October 1, 2024, Florida no longer charges sales tax on commercial rent, which helps freelancers who rent an office or studio.
Local business tax
Many Florida counties and cities require a local business tax receipt (often called an occupational license) for businesses operating there, including home-based ones. Fees are usually modest; check your county and city.
Paying your taxes
All of your estimated payments go to the IRS: April 15, June 15 and September 15, 2026, and January 15, 2027. Use the quarterly estimated tax calculator to size them and see how to pay online.
Moving to Florida?
If you move from a state with an income tax partway through the year, you will usually owe that state tax on income earned while you lived there, and you may need to file a part-year resident return. Keep clear records of your move date.