| If you are operating, or plan to operate, a professional | | | | address of the registered agent, and must state the |
| service in Florida, then you should consider doing so as | | | | specific purpose for which the corporation is organized |
| a professional corporation. This entity is a type of | | | | (e.g., chiropractic medicine, Certified Public Accountant, |
| corporation which is organized to render a specifically | | | | etc.). Please note, the name of the professional |
| designated professional service. Examples of services | | | | corporation must contain the words "chartered" or the |
| rendered by a professional corporation, just to name a | | | | words "professional association", or the abbreviation |
| few, are certified public accountants, chiropractors, | | | | "P.A." Once the articles are prepared, you must file this |
| doctors of medicine, architects, attorneys and life | | | | document with the Florida Division of Corporations |
| insurance agents. These types of professional | | | | along with the state filing fee of $70.00. |
| services, as noted above, can operate through the | | | | Once the articles of incorporation are filed, you |
| vehicle of a professional corporation in Florida. You | | | | should then obtain a tax identification number for your |
| should note that a professional corporation is also | | | | entity through the Internal Revenue Service. You can |
| referred to as a "P.A." or professional association. | | | | apply for a tax ID either online at or call the IRS. Their |
| To form a professional corporation in Florida, you must | | | | contact information can be found on the IRS website. |
| take the following steps: | | | | Next, you should elect "S" corporation status for |
| The first step is to prepare articles of incorporation | | | | your entity. To do so, you must complete and submit |
| and file the articles with the State of Florida. The | | | | Form 2553 to the IRS. You can obtain Form 2553 on |
| articles of incorporation must state the name of the | | | | the IRS website or seek the help of an accountant to |
| entity, address of the corporation, the name and | | | | assist you with such election. |