Who qualifies
Corporate officers who own at least 10% of the corporation. LLC members with at least 10% membership interest. Construction-industry officers have stricter rules and lower coverage thresholds.
Filing and renewal
Exemptions are filed online with the Florida Department of Financial Services. The exemption lasts two years. Filing a renewal before expiration prevents gaps in exemption status.
Why exempt officers bother to file
Without the exemption on file, an officer counts as an employee for worker's comp purposes. That inflates premiums if the company carries a policy, and in construction it can keep you off a job site entirely, since general contractors verify exemption status through the state database before paying subcontractors.
Construction industry differences
Construction is subject to tighter rules: more officers must have coverage, exemption fees apply, and the exemption covers a single corporation or LLC.
What we handle
The initial filing, the two-year renewal calendar, and updates when ownership or entity structure changes. If the state rejects a filing over an ownership-percentage or corporate-records mismatch, we fix the underlying records with the Division of Corporations and refile.
Common questions
- What happens if the exemption lapses?
- You're presumed covered until renewal. Premiums may become due for the gap period if your company carries WC insurance.
- Do I need WC insurance if I have the exemption?
- Not for the exempt officers. If the business has any non-exempt employees, those require coverage separately.
- Can I check my exemption status?
- Yes. The Florida Department of Financial Services runs a public Proof of Coverage database showing active exemptions. Contractors use the same database to verify subcontractors.
- When should I file the renewal?
- The state accepts renewal filings ahead of the expiration date, and filing early keeps a continuous exemption on record. We calendar it well in advance so a processing delay doesn't create a gap.
Related
Other services we offer
Business Setup
Get a new business licensed, tax-registered, and in compliance from the start: entity registration, EIN, county business tax receipt, and sales tax account.
DBA / Fictitious Name Registration
Florida fictitious name (DBA) registration with the Division of Corporations, including the name search, newspaper publication, and five-year renewal tracking.
Personal Income Tax Preparation
Federal and state 1040 preparation with year-round planning. We handle W-2, 1099, K-1, rental, and crypto income for individuals in Florida and all 50 states.
Estate & Trust Tax Returns
Form 1041 preparation for estates and trusts, with K-1s for each beneficiary. We work with executors, trustees, and attorneys to file accurately and on time.