Register a New Business in Georgia

Before registering to pay taxes with the Department, entities such as Corporations, LLCs, and Partnerships doing business in the state should check with the Georgia Secretary of State regarding their registration requirements.

Sole proprietors may register with the Department as an individual for business related taxes.

Determine whether your business will need to apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). You might also see this referred to as the Federal Tax Identification Number or FEIN.

To apply, you’ll need to provide the following:

• Legal name, location, and mailing address of the business
• Name, address, and social security number (SSN) or other valid taxpayer identification number of the principal officer, general partner, grantor, owner, member, manager or trustor

The Department requires NAICS Codes for all business registrations. 

You can look up your NAICS code before you begin registration or during the registration process.

Entities doing business in Georgia may need to register for one or more tax types in order to obtain the specific identification numbers, permits, and/or licenses required.

Before registering for any tax type, learn more about the differences and requirements for each of the tax types by visiting Tax Registration.

Any entity that conducts business within Georgia may be required to register for one or more tax specific identification numbers, permits, and/or licenses. 

To complete the registration, you’ll need:

• Information gathered in previous steps
• Contact information for the person who will use the login you’re setting up
• Registration fees or taxes (depending on the tax types required)

After submitting your request, you should receive your specific tax account number within 15 minutes by email.

If your business will have employees, you may need to set up withholding taxes. Withholding tax is the amount held from an employee’s wages and paid directly to the state by the employer.

You may also need to interact with the Georgia Department of Labor (DOL). Learn about recruitment services, employer responsibilities for unemployment insurance, child labor laws, and more in DOL’s information for employers.

More Information: 

• Register a Partnership, Corporation and LLC

• Register a Sole Proprietorship

You may find additional information on business registration on the following sites:

• First Stop Business Information Center (Secretary of State)

• Employer Information (Department of Labor)

Closing a business is a difficult decision, but it is sometimes necessary. There are many reasons why a business might close, such as financial difficulties, changes in the industry, or personal reasons. It is important to plan carefully and take the appropriate steps to close out your business properly.

Read more on closing a business in Georgia.