Florida, FL CPA Services Built Around State-Specific Decisions
Florida CPA work for real estate investors and developers, short-term rental operators, retirees managing RMDs and Social Security, snowbirds with multi-state issues, crypto traders, and high-net-worth families relocated from the Northeast and Midwest starts with the state tax posture, not just a city-name swap. The current snapshot we plan around is Personal income tax: none — Florida is one of nine states with no broad-based personal income tax (constitutionally protected). Estate tax: none . Corporate income tax: 5.5% on C-corporations earning income from Florida sources.
For real estate investors and developers, short-term rental operators, retirees managing RMDs and Social Security, snowbirds with multi-state issues, crypto traders, the next layer is filing execution: No individual income tax return. C-corporations file Form F-1120 , due the 1st day of the 4th month after fiscal year end (May 1 for calendar-year filers; the. We tie those mechanics to entity records, owner documents, payroll, sales tax, lender requests, and federal planning before a return, notice, or audit deadline narrows the options.
Local industry, ownership, funder, and residency facts shape the engagement scope. For attestation or other state-sensitive work involving Florida Nonprofit Audits (Solicitation of Contributions Act), Florida 401(k) & Employee Benefit Plan Audits, Florida Single Audits (Uniform Guidance) for real estate investors and developers, short-term rental operators, retirees managing RMDs and Social Security, snowbirds with multi-state issues, crypto traders, we confirm CPA mobility, firm registration, and engagement-scope requirements before accepting the work.
Tax posture
For real estate investors and developers, short-term rental operators, retirees managing RMDs and Social Security, snowbirds with multi-state issues, crypto traders, we start with personal income tax: none — florida is one of nine states with no broad-based personal income tax (constitutionally protected).
Filing mechanics
For real estate investors and developers, short-term rental operators, retirees managing RMDs and Social Security, snowbirds with multi-state issues, crypto traders, the filing calendar starts from this baseline: No individual income tax return.
Economic reality
Florida client work is shaped by local industry, ownership, funder, and residency facts: Florida's economy is powered by tourism and hospitality (Walt Disney World, Universal, theme parks, beaches, cruise lines), real estate and construction, international trade and shipping (Port of Miami, Port Tampa Bay, JAXPORT)...
Assurance triggers
Common assurance work includes Florida Nonprofit Audits (Solicitation of Contributions Act), Florida 401(k) & Employee Benefit Plan Audits, Florida Single Audits (Uniform Guidance) for real estate investors and developers, short-term rental operators, retirees managing RMDs and Social Security, snowbirds with multi-state issues, crypto traders. We scope the engagement around the reporting user, support schedules, and deadline.
Florida Planning Triggers We Review First
Before we quote a scope, we identify the documents, deadlines, and decisions most likely to shape the work. For Florida, that usually means tying local industry, owner, funder, and entity facts back to clients such as real estate investors and developers, short-term rental operators, retirees managing RMDs and Social Security, snowbirds with multi-state issues, crypto traders.
State tax posture and owner decisions
For real estate investors and developers, short-term rental operators, retirees managing RMDs and Social Security, snowbirds with multi-state issues, crypto traders, we tie the issue to personal income tax: none — florida is one of nine states with no broad-based personal income tax (constitutionally protected), then map the entity records, owner documents, and support that would survive tax authority, lender, or board review.
Filing calendar, nexus, and source records
No individual income tax return. For real estate investors and developers, short-term rental operators, retirees managing RMDs and Social Security, snowbirds with multi-state issues, crypto traders, this usually means reconciling source documents before choosing a filing position, notice response, or advisory path.
Industry, funder, and reporting context
Florida work often turns on the local audience: real estate investors and developers, short-term rental operators, retirees managing RMDs and Social Security, snowbirds with multi-state issues, crypto traders. The output is a practical workplan for returns, reconciliations, estimated payments, audit schedules, notices, or owner-level decisions.
Priority CPA Services for Florida (FL)
State & Federal Tax Planning
For real estate investors and developers, short-term rental operators, retirees managing RMDs and Social Security, snowbirds with multi-state issues, crypto traders, we coordinate federal planning with personal income tax: none — florida is one of nine states with no broad-based personal income tax (constitutionally protected) and model the state effect before the return becomes the only planning tool left.
Learn More →Business Entity & Owner Advisory
Entity structure, owner compensation, PTE decisions, and FL filing positions for real estate investors and developers, short-term rental operators, retirees managing RMDs and Social Security, snowbirds with multi-state issues, crypto traders when the books need to match the tax plan.
Learn More →Audit, Review & Compilation Support
GAAS audit, review, compilation, and AUP support scoped around florida nonprofit audits (solicitation of contributions act), florida 401(k) & employee benefit plan audits, florida single audits (uniform guidance) for real estate investors and developers, short-term rental operators, retirees managing rmds and social security, snowbirds with multi-state issues, crypto traders rather than a generic assurance checklist.
Learn More →Employee Benefit Plan Audits
ERISA audit support for plans sponsored by real estate investors and developers, short-term rental operators, retirees managing RMDs and Social Security, snowbirds with multi-state issues, crypto traders, with attention to payroll records, census data, remittances, and Form 5500 timing.
Learn More →Nonprofit & Single Audit Readiness
Grant, board, donor, and Uniform Guidance readiness for Florida organizations serving real estate investors and developers, short-term rental operators, retirees managing RMDs and Social Security, snowbirds with multi-state issues, crypto traders when reporting has to satisfy funders and oversight bodies.
Learn More →IRS & State Tax Resolution
Notice response, amended returns, collections strategy, and state filing coordination for real estate investors and developers, short-term rental operators, retirees managing RMDs and Social Security, snowbirds with multi-state issues, crypto traders when a deadline, amendment, or collection issue traces back to no individual income tax return.
Learn More →Real Estate & Cost Segregation
Depreciation, passive activity, basis, and cost segregation planning for Florida real estate projects connected to real estate investors and developers, short-term rental operators, retirees managing RMDs and Social Security, snowbirds with multi-state issues, crypto traders.
Learn More →Crypto, Trader & Investment Tax
Digital asset, active trading, brokerage, and investment reporting for real estate investors and developers, short-term rental operators, retirees managing RMDs and Social Security, snowbirds with multi-state issues, crypto traders when records cross wallets, exchanges, K-1s, and state residency facts.
Learn More →Virtual CFO & Forecasting
Cash-flow models, KPI dashboards, close discipline, and lender-ready reporting for Florida operators in markets such as real estate investors and developers, short-term rental operators, retirees managing RMDs and Social Security, snowbirds with multi-state issues, crypto traders.
Learn More →Capital Markets, 83(b) & Equity Planning
83(b) elections, investor reporting, diligence support, and securities-aware planning when equity, financing, or growth decisions touch Florida tax facts for real estate investors and developers, short-term rental operators, retirees managing RMDs and Social Security, snowbirds with multi-state issues, crypto traders.
Learn More →Controls, Close & Business Consulting
Month-end close cleanup, internal controls, reconciliations, and management reporting for Florida teams in markets such as real estate investors and developers, short-term rental operators, retirees managing RMDs and Social Security, snowbirds with multi-state issues, crypto traders.
Learn More →Florida Audit Services in Detail
Florida assurance work usually starts with Florida Nonprofit Audits (Solicitation of Contributions Act), Florida 401(k) & Employee Benefit Plan Audits, Florida Single Audits (Uniform Guidance) for real estate investors and developers, short-term rental operators, retirees managing RMDs and Social Security, snowbirds with multi-state issues, crypto traders. We scope audit, review, compilation, Single Audit, benefit-plan, lender, bonding, or investor reporting work around the actual reporting user, support schedules, and deadline rather than treating every request as the same full-audit workflow.
Florida Nonprofit Audits (Solicitation of Contributions Act)
Under Florida's Solicitation of Contributions Act (Chapter 496, Florida Statutes), charitable organizations registered with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services are required to submit audited financial statements when annual contributions equal or exceed $1,000,000, and reviewed financial statements when annual contributions are between $500,000 and $1,000,000. Audited statements are also routinely expected by major Florida funders — including the Knight Foundation, the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative's Miami programs, the Florida Blue Foundation, and large United Way affiliates.
Florida 401(k) & Employee Benefit Plan Audits
Florida plan sponsors filing Form 5500 generally require an ERISA-compliant audit when the plan has 100 or more participants with account balances at the start of the plan year — the participant-counting rule effective post-SECURE 2.0. We perform full-scope and §103(a)(3)(C) limited-scope benefit plan audits for 401(k), 403(b), and defined-benefit plans across Florida, including plans sponsored by South Florida fintech, Tampa Bay healthcare systems, Orlando hospitality and theme park operators, and statewide professional services firms.
Florida Single Audits (Uniform Guidance)
Florida Single Audit work is scoped around the federal awards, subrecipient relationships, and internal controls most relevant to real estate investors and developers, short-term rental operators, retirees managing RMDs and Social Security, snowbirds with multi-state issues, crypto traders. We plan major-program testing, SEFA support, and grant-compliance documentation around the programs that actually drive the reporting risk.
Florida Lender, Bonding & Investor Audits
Florida lender, bonding, and investor reporting is shaped by the companies, funders, and ownership groups active in real estate investors and developers, short-term rental operators, retirees managing RMDs and Social Security, snowbirds with multi-state issues, crypto traders. We align the assurance level, support schedules, and delivery timeline with the actual credit, surety, diligence, or capital request.
Florida Reviews & Compilations
For real estate investors and developers, short-term rental operators, retirees managing RMDs and Social Security, snowbirds with multi-state issues, crypto traders, review or compilation work is often the right fit when a bank, acquirer, board, grantor, or owner needs CPA-prepared financial statements but a full audit is not required. We define the level of assurance before work starts so the deliverable fits the actual request.
Florida (FL) Tax & Business Landscape
Key Florida Tax Numbers. Personal income tax: none — Florida is one of nine states with no broad-based personal income tax (constitutionally protected). Estate tax: none. Corporate income tax: 5.5% on C-corporations earning income from Florida sources (with a $50,000 exemption); S-corporations, partnerships, and LLCs taxed as partnerships are generally pass-through and not subject to FL corporate tax. Sales and use tax: 6% state, with local discretionary surtaxes up to a combined 8.5%. Documentary stamp tax: $0.70 per $100 on deeds (special rate for Miami-Dade non-residential), $0.35 per $100 on notes and mortgages. One-time non-recurring intangible tax: $0.20 per $100 on new mortgages secured by Florida real estate. Tourist development tax (bed tax): typically 4–6% county-by-county on short-term rentals. For real estate investors and developers, short-term rental operators, retirees managing RMDs and Social Security, snowbirds with multi-state issues, crypto traders, these numbers matter most when entity structure, owner compensation, residency, property, or investment decisions change the federal and state result.
Filing Mechanics. No individual income tax return. C-corporations file Form F-1120, due the 1st day of the 4th month after fiscal year end (May 1 for calendar-year filers; the federal extension extends FL to the same date). Annual reports for entities are filed with the Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations (Sunbiz) by May 1. Sales and use tax is filed with the Florida Department of Revenue (typically monthly). Tourist development tax is filed at the county level. We use those mechanics to build a filing calendar and document request list for real estate investors and developers, short-term rental operators, retirees managing RMDs and Social Security, snowbirds with multi-state issues, crypto traders before deadlines compress the planning options.
Florida Residency & Homestead Planning. Florida residency planning is critical for clients relocating from high-tax states (NY, NJ, IL, MA, CA, CT). Documenting Florida domicile typically involves: filing a Florida Declaration of Domicile with the county clerk, registering to vote in Florida, obtaining a Florida driver's license, establishing primary medical care, changing banking and brokerage addresses, filing for the Florida homestead exemption (which provides a Save Our Homes assessment cap, $50,000 exemption, and powerful creditor protection under the Florida Constitution), and demonstrating the "where the heart is" test by spending more time in Florida than in the former state. Florida residents also benefit from tenancy by the entireties for married couples (creditor protection) and Florida's favorable trust law. We provide pre-departure planning and ongoing residency documentation.
Florida Economy & Who We Serve. Florida's economy is powered by tourism and hospitality (Walt Disney World, Universal, theme parks, beaches, cruise lines), real estate and construction, international trade and shipping (Port of Miami, Port Tampa Bay, JAXPORT), aerospace and space (Cape Canaveral, Kennedy Space Center, SpaceX), agriculture (citrus, sugar, cattle), healthcare, financial services and fintech (Miami's growing role), and a rapidly expanding tech sector. Our typical FL clients include real estate investors and developers, short-term rental operators, retirees managing RMDs and Social Security, snowbirds with multi-state issues, crypto traders, and high-net-worth families relocated from the Northeast and Midwest.
CPA Mobility in Florida. We serve clients nationwide under CPA mobility rules where applicable. Before accepting Florida work for real estate investors and developers, short-term rental operators, retirees managing RMDs and Social Security, snowbirds with multi-state issues, crypto traders, we confirm the engagement type, CPA mobility, firm registration, and any attest or state-sensitive requirements.
Cities and Communities We Serve. We serve clients across all of Florida, including Miami and Miami-Dade County (international trade, fintech, real estate), Jacksonville (financial services, port logistics, military), Tampa and Hillsborough County (healthcare, finance, port), St. Petersburg, Orlando (tourism, theme parks, technology), Fort Lauderdale and Broward County, Hialeah, Tallahassee (state government, higher education), Cape Coral, Port St. Lucie, Naples, Sarasota, the Florida Keys, the Treasure Coast, the Space Coast, and the Panhandle.
Why Florida Clients Choose Us
- For real estate investors and developers, short-term rental operators, retirees managing RMDs and Social Security, snowbirds with multi-state issues, crypto traders, planning starts with the specific state posture: Personal income tax: none — Florida is one of nine states with no broad-based personal income tax (constitutionally protected). Estate tax: none . Corporate income tax: 5.5% on...
- Engagement scoping is tied to real reporting triggers, including Florida Nonprofit Audits (Solicitation of Contributions Act), Florida 401(k) & Employee Benefit Plan Audits, Florida Single Audits (Uniform Guidance) for real estate investors and developers, short-term rental operators, retirees managing RMDs and Social Security, snowbirds with multi-state issues, crypto traders
- For real estate investors and developers, short-term rental operators, retirees managing RMDs and Social Security, snowbirds with multi-state issues, crypto traders, filing mechanics, entity decisions, payroll, sales tax, owner compensation, and federal planning are handled together; the baseline is No individual income tax return. C-corporations file Form F-1120 , due the 1st day of the 4th month after fiscal year end
- Specialized support is available for real estate investors and developers, short-term rental operators, retirees managing RMDs and Social Security, snowbirds with multi-state issues, crypto traders when crypto, trader tax, cost segregation, 83(b) elections, IRS/state notices, or capital-markets questions are part of the fact pattern
- Virtual-first delivery gives Florida clients secure portal access, e-signature, video meetings, and fixed-fee clarity for engagements shaped by Florida's economy is powered by tourism and hospitality (Walt Disney World, Universal, theme parks, beaches, cruise lines), real
Florida CPA — Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a Florida-licensed CPA, or can an out-of-state CPA handle my FL tax and audit work?
CPA mobility often allows an out-of-state CPA in active good standing to serve Florida clients, but the right answer depends on the engagement type. For real estate investors and developers, short-term rental operators, retirees managing RMDs and Social Security, snowbirds with multi-state issues, crypto traders, we confirm whether the work is tax, advisory, attest, employee-benefit-plan, or state-sensitive before accepting the engagement.
Does Florida have a personal income tax?
No. Florida is one of nine states with no broad-based personal income tax. Florida has no individual income tax return. Florida does impose a 5.5% corporate income tax on C-corporations (with a $50,000 exemption), a 6% state sales tax with local add-ons up to a combined 8.5%, and documentary stamp and intangible taxes on real estate transactions and mortgages.
What is the Florida corporate income tax and who has to pay it?
Florida imposes a 5.5% corporate income/franchise tax on C-corporations earning income from Florida sources, with a $50,000 exemption. S-corporations, partnerships, and LLCs taxed as partnerships are generally pass-through entities and not subject to the FL corporate tax (their income flows through to owners, who pay no personal income tax in Florida). Returns are filed on Form F-1120 and are due the 1st day of the 4th month after fiscal year end (May 1 for calendar-year filers).
I'm relocating to Florida from a high-tax state. How do I establish Florida residency?
Florida residency planning is critical for clients relocating from high-tax states (NY, NJ, IL, MA, CA, CT). Key actions: file a Florida Declaration of Domicile with your county clerk, register to vote in Florida, obtain a Florida driver's license, establish primary medical care in Florida, change your banking and brokerage addresses, file for the Florida homestead exemption (which provides Save Our Homes assessment cap and creditor protection), and — most importantly — demonstrate the "where the heart is" test by spending more time in Florida than in your former state. We provide pre-departure planning, ongoing residency documentation, and audit defense if your former state challenges the move.
What are Florida's documentary stamp tax and intangible tax?
Florida imposes documentary stamp tax on deeds, mortgages, and notes — currently $0.70 per $100 of consideration on deeds (Miami-Dade has a special rate for non-residential transactions), and $0.35 per $100 on promissory notes and mortgages. Florida also imposes a one-time non-recurring intangible tax (currently $0.20 per $100) on the principal amount of new mortgages secured by Florida real estate. We model these costs into our Florida real estate planning.
When does my Florida nonprofit need an audit?
Under Florida's Solicitation of Contributions Act (Chapter 496, Florida Statutes), charitable organizations registered with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services must submit audited financial statements when annual contributions equal or exceed $1,000,000, and reviewed financial statements when annual contributions are between $500,000 and $1,000,000. Federal Single Audit requirements under 2 CFR Part 200 apply separately when federal award expenditures exceed $1,000,000 in a fiscal year.
Do you serve Florida clients outside Miami, Tampa, and Orlando?
Yes. Our practice is virtual-first, so we serve clients across all of Florida — including Jacksonville, St. Petersburg, Fort Lauderdale, Hialeah, Tallahassee, Cape Coral, Port St. Lucie, Naples, Sarasota, the Florida Keys, the Treasure Coast, the Space Coast, and every Florida county — with the same level of access and service.