While it is possible to form a Florida company from scratch, most people will benefit from purchasing an existing company with an established customer base and a proven business model. In this article, you will discover the key benefits of owning a franchise company in Florida.
Benefits of Owning a Franchise in Florida – Tax Exemptions and Other Benefits
Florida is a pro-business state. In this scenario, franchise companies have fertile soil to thrive. Among the fiscal benefits for companies, the state of Florida has:
- No state personal income taxes (as provided by Florida’s constitution)
- No corporate income tax on limited partnerships
- No state corporate income tax on S-corporations
- No corporate franchise tax on capital stocks
- No property taxes assessment (at the state level)
- No property taxes associated with business inventories
- No taxes over goods-in-transit for up to 180 days
- No sales tax on goods for exportation manufactured within the state
- No use tax on goods for exportation manufactured within the state
- No sales taxes on purchases of raw materials incorporated in a final product for resale
The state of Florida also grants several sales and use tax benefits, such as:
- Benefits on machinery and technical equipment used by new or expanding companies to produce goods for sale
- Benefits on materials used for repair and incorporated into machinery and technical equipment
- Tax benefits on electricity used in the production and manufacturing of goods
Benefits of Owning a Franchise in Florida – Negotiating a Solid Franchise Agreement
Franchising companies involve several elements, such as royalties, supply chain, marketing, advertisement, etc.
The franchise agreement is the key element of a franchisor-franchisee relationship. During the negotiations, both parties must consult with an experienced Florida business attorney to ensure the document is drafted adequately. A well-drafted Florida franchise agreement must include:
- The geographical area of the new franchise
- The franchisee’s unit territory size
- Right of renewal
- Personal warranties (for both parties)
- Restrictive covenants (if applicable)
- Minimum performance requirements
- Payment terms (in detail)
- Franchising fees
- Tax liabilities
- The extent of support provided by the franchisor
- Which type of support the franchisor must provide
- The fundamental items for the new company’s operations
- Intellectual property rights
- The use of the franchisor’s brand
- Supply chain, logistics, and quality control
As it is plain to see, enjoying the benefits of Florida’s pro-business policies requires a strategic approach. The acquisition of a franchise company is generally more complex – especially if you are the franchisee.
What Benefits Do You Get From Owning a Franchise in Florida? – Seek Professional Guidance
Owning a company built upon a proven business model permits you to skip the start-up stage, rapidly generate cash flow and focus on expanding the franchise’s area of influence.
However, it is quite hard to work your way through acquiring a franchise in Florida without the help of an expert attorney. A legal advisor may help you by:
- Providing valuable advice in legal and business matters
- Using legal knowledge and real-world experience to conduct transactions
- Actively participating in the negotiation process
- Negotiating on the client’s behalf to protect his or her interests
- Assessing business offers to identify whether it suits the client’s needs
- Reviewing the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD)
- Preparing and handling the documentation involved in the transaction
- Ensuring both parties are aware of their duties and rights under the franchise agreement
- Helping clients handle tax liabilities and identify tax benefits
Waste no Time with Uncertainty – Immediately Contact Attorney Romy B. Jurado
Owning a franchise in Florida requires a strategic approach. Get in touch with Attorney Romy B. Jurado by calling (305) 921-0976 or emailing [email protected] to schedule a consultation.