If you are thinking of using a registered agent service, analyze the pros and cons before deciding if a registered agent fits your business needs.
Many business owners are finding that filing government documents and state correspondence is quite time-consuming. Some others don’t have the experience or knowledge.
A registered agent is an individual person or a professional service with the knowledge to handle all the necessary paperwork and act as the main point of contact with the state on behalf of your company, so you can have more time to focus on growing your business.
TRUiC has a guide that offers useful information about registered agent services in Florida – it can help you understand who they are and what support they can provide. Below are the pros and cons of using a registered agent so you can better understand what your business needs.
What are the Pros and Cons of Using a Registered Agent in Florida
A registered agent is appointed by your company to deal with the paperwork with the state. This can include government correspondence, receiving tax and legal documents, compliance, and service of process. Also, after selecting your company structure in Florida, you are required to add a registered agent office when you send your Articles of Organization to the agency, so you need a professional to handle this and many other tasks on your behalf.
Pros
Taking care of state requirements
If you use a registered agent, you will be informed about the official state requirements. You won’t miss any deadline when submitting state or federal related paperwork. Missing deadlines can cause lawsuits or fines for your business. Also, you will be notified about the changes or new procedures in Florida, so you won’t need to worry.
Copies of Your documents will be kept
If for any reason you lose an important document, a registered agent in Florida is there to provide you with a copy. It will prevent paying fines or even a lawsuit in case something unpredictable happens as you won’t miss any deadlines.
Accounting and legal support
If you have any legal questions or concerns about compliance, a registered agent service in Florida can help answer any questions you may have but also help you find the right person.
Saving time
Laws often change. As a business owner, you don’t have time to take care of the paperwork or research about your state or federal obligations. A registered agent can handle all of that for you as they are up to date with all the latest information and state requirements.
Protect your privacy
When you use a registered agent, their address will be publicly published instead of yours. For many businesses this is the only physical address they have.
Focus on your business
Avoid stressing over the small stuff and focus on the things you should be doing to help your business grow. By using a Florida registered agent, you won’t have to worry about losing important documents or missing deadlines. No stressing over something unpredictable happening and you can rest assured that your business’s paperwork will be taken care of.
Cons:
There is some cost
A registered agent in Florida will handle everything that has to do with paperwork and government correspondence, but it can cost you some money. Depending on the services they provide, the cost can be anywhere between $50 and $300. If you don’t want one more expense for the company, then you should try to become your own registered agent or find a company that offers a one-year registered agent service for free.
Available only in one state
A registered agent in most cases can act as your main point of contact only in Florida, the state where their business is located. If you want to register a company in one state but at some point, your goal is to move somewhere else, they won’t be able to support you. That means that you will need to go over the selection process again in another state. If your goal is to do business in multiple states, you should consider hiring an agent that will be able to support you in all states that you have selected to do business in.
Not available 24/7
A registered agent is obliged to work 9am-5pm. If however you need help outside of their working hours, you will need to wait until the next day.
