Starting a Business in Georgia: Licenses, Registrations & Checklist

Georgia start-up checklist

Form your LLC or corporation with Georgia Secretary of State, Corporations Division. Official page
A trade name (DBA) is registered with the Clerk of Superior Court.
Registered entities also file assumed names locally, not with the state.

Register for state taxes with Georgia Department of Revenue. Official page
Business-level tax: Corporate income tax and net worth tax.
Sales tax: get a Georgia sales tax number (Georgia Tax Center) from Georgia Department of Revenue before you sell taxable goods. Official page
Remote sellers must register once sales into the state pass $100,000 a year.
Local sales taxes are collected through the state return.
If you have employees, withhold Georgia income tax from wages and register for withholding. Official page

Register for unemployment insurance with Georgia Department of Labor. The 2026 taxable wage base is $9,500 per employee; experience-rated rates run from 0.04% to 8.1%. Official page
New employers start at 2.64%.
Workers' compensation through Georgia State Board of Workers' Compensation and private insurers. Required when: 3 employees
Post the required labor notices at your workplace. Official page

File Annual Registration (LLCs, corporations and nonprofits): every year by April 1; fee $60.
State tax returns and payments (sales, withholding, unemployment) follow the schedule your agency assigns when you register.

Business filings and annual reports: Georgia Secretary of State, Corporations Division. Official page
Taxes: Georgia Department of Revenue. Official page
Unemployment insurance and labor rules: Georgia Department of Labor. Official page
Workers' compensation: Georgia State Board of Workers' Compensation.
Contractor licensing: Georgia State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors.
Real estate licensing: Georgia Real Estate Commission.
Alcohol licensing: Georgia Department of Revenue, Alcohol and Tobacco Division.
Child care licensing: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning.
Health facility licensing: Georgia Department of Community Health.

City or county occupation tax certificate (City or county business license office): Georgia local governments issue business/occupation tax certificates.
Cannabis: medical licensing only, regulated by Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission.

Checked against official sources on October 13, 2026. Rules change; confirm each item with its agency.

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