File Your 2026 Annual Report – Avoid These 3 Scams

By Phillip B. Rarick, Esq., Miami Lakes and Weston Estate Planning Attorney

It’s a New Year, which means it’s time to file your 2026 Annual Report if you own a Florida LLC (limited liability company), corporation, or partnership. The deadline is before May 1, 2026. Missing this deadline results in the state charging you a $400 late fee.

The only official Florida web site is https://www.sunbiz.org. This site has “Consumer Notices” to alert you about fraudulent websites that send misleading or deceptive annual report reminders.

How to Safely File

A legitimate annual report reminder email will:

• Come from the Florida Department of State
• Use a subject line similar to:
  Official 2026 Annual Report Notice for: [Name of your corporate entity]
• Direct you to file online at https://www.sunbiz.org/
  where you will see the banner:
  “Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations”

Official 2026 State filing fees

• Limited Liability Company: $138.75
• Corporation: $150.00
• Limited Partnership: $500

3 Common Annual Report Scams

Below are the most frequent scams that target Florida business owners during annual report season.

Scam #1: F.C.F.S. – Florida Corporate Filing Services

This company sends mail that looks like an official state notice, often with a Tallahassee address. They typically request:

• $47 for a “Certificate of Status,” or
• $125 for “corporate filing services”

These documents are not required by the State of Florida for your annual report.

Scam #2: Corporate Filing Services Center

This group sends notices requesting $68 for a certificate of status — again, not required by the State.

Scam #3: C.F.S – Certificate Filing Service

This organization uses high‑quality, official‑looking paper designed to mimic government documents. They usually request $49 for a certificate of status.
This too is not required by the State.

Important Note

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (DACS) now has authority to investigate these types of deceptive solicitations and impose fines under the new “Government Imposter and Deceptive Advertisement Act” (GIDAA). For more information, see: section 817.417, F.S. or visit the FDAC’S Division of Consumer Services

This is a good time to conduct an annual review of your LLC, corporation or limited partnership.

We’ve prepared a 10‑Point Checklist to help you confirm that your corporate records are accurate, current, and compliant. Get it here: 10 Point Checklist for Florida Corporate Entities

Need Assistance?

Our office can help ensure that your corporate minutes and records are properly prepared and reflect key information such as:

• controlling officers
• ownership
• member units or share allocations
• important organizational updates

To schedule an appointment, call (305) 709‑2858 or email info@raricklaw.com.

Special Note

The information on this blog is of a general nature and is not intended to answer any individual’s legal questions. Do not rely on information presented herein to address your individual legal concerns. If you have a legal question about your individual facts and circumstances, you should consult an experienced Miami asset protection attorney. Your receipt of information from this website or blog does not create an attorney-client relationship and the legal privileges inherent therein.

Posted in: Asset Protection, Corporate, Trust Administration and Trust Law

Tagged: Miami asset protection attorney, Miami asset protection lawyer, miami probate attorney, miami probate lawyer, miami trust attorney and miami trust lawyer