Register a New Business in Georgia

You may need to set up several items to get your business off the ground.

Starting a business in Georgia is an exciting venture! You may need to set up several items with the Department of Revenue (the Department) to get your business off the ground.

We’ll help you register to pay business related taxes, get certain permits and licenses, register company vehicles, and understand your responsibilities regarding state withholding taxes.

How Do I … Register a Business?

Understand Requirements for Your Business Structure

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.

Apply for an Employer Identification Number (if needed)

• 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

Find Your North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code

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.

Determine Your Business Tax Type(s)

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.

Register through the Georgia Tax Center

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

Register a New Business

• 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.

Prepare for Employees

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.

Read Helpful 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)

Close a Business

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.

• Understand Requirements for Your Business Structure
• Apply for an Employer Identification Number (if needed)
• Find Your North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code
• Determine Your Business Tax Type(s)
• Register through the Georgia Tax Center
• Prepare for Employees
• Read Helpful Information
• Close a Business