If you are going to create a firm you have to learn the rules...

 If you are going to create a firm you have to learn the rules...

Time to quote the government: "The U.S. Census Bureau conducts a Census of Governments of all state and local government organization units every 5 years, for years ending in 2 and 7, as required by law under Title 13, U.S. Code, Section 161. The collection of these data will:

• Identify the scope and nature of the nation's state and local governments.
• Classify local government organizations, powers, and activities.
• Provide authoritative benchmark data on public finance and public employment.
• Measure state and local governments' fiscal relationships.
• The data is released by:
• level of government (state, local, or state and local combined),
• type of government (state, county, city, township, special district, school district), and
• category of governmental activity."

 2007 United States totals regarding governmental entities: 3,033 county; 19,492 municipality; 16,519 town/township; 37,381 special district; 13,051 school district = 89,476 in 50 States.

Did you know there were 89,527 Governments in the U.S. in 2007? I have to give you the correct whole number because the other partial number is just the states (We do have a Federal Government - not a federal state - LOL).

Florida has approximately 1,623 government entities and a lot of those entities engage in making rules...If you are going to create a firm you have to learn the rules...

Today, I am being educated and entertained by the Florida Department of State Division of Corporations. They've published an IDENTITY THEFT ALERT: "Identity theft today affects businesses as well as individuals. In an effort to be more business friendly and to heighten security, the Department of State has instituted an e-mail notification process whereby business entities are sent an e-mail notice when changes of address or Federal Employer Identification Number are made. This e-mail notice will be sent to the previous e-mail address of record. If the change was not authorized by a principal of the business entity, you will be able to notify the Department utilizing a link provided in the e-mail."

Good to know...

Electronic Filing & Certification

The fact that I can set up a new firm from the comfort of my backyard has me grinning like a three year old on a sugar high. I am Skyping with my gal pals from NYC and I'm gonna call my lawyer when I finish unpacking my business box. Did you know that Sunbiz offers several methods in which information can be submitted to the Division for filing? I quote: "In addition to Sunbiz E-filing (electronic fax filings), we offer on-line document filing for fictitious name registration, annual report, reinstatement, profit and nonprofit corporation, limited liability company, limited partnership, judgment liens, and Electronic certification. New: On-line Dissolution & Withdrawal filing is now available."

How cool is that? Very! I'm going to enjoy setting up the film crew down here. Jen wants to get a spot in a multi-use zone so we can write, record and film together. When I'm in NYC I'll be crashing with Stacey, Emmy and Jen. When on vacation, everyone will be crashing with me (but we'll need more space if/when the crew comes down. We all have our own equipment so when we get together it turns into bedlam until work starts. Then everyone becomes an anal retentive professional until break time - LOL). ;-)

While we wait for it to stop raining Stephen and Noah are helping me set up "the music room." Now if I can just figure out where to take my FL notary and FL real estate classes on-line (sigh). I have to have everything ready to go for January when I finish my vacation because the girls are coming... so are the boys... That means I also need to buy more furniture (LOL). Time to get back to reading the rules...

I shall leave you with a few cool and useful Sunbiz Florida "new business" links to explore (do check with your attorney people. Just sayin' having an attorney advise you on what's the best structure for your firm is excellent business planning... Attorneys are the only people qualified to give you legal advice... seriously) :

Articles of Incorporation for Florida Profit Corporation

Articles of Incorporation for Florida NonProfit Corporation

Articles of Organization for Florida Limited Liability Company or LLC

Certificate of Limited Partnership for Florida Limited Partnership

OnLine Fictitious Name Registration