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Starting your Georgia small business costs between $100-$70,000 depending on your industry and location. With 1.3 to 1.4 million small businesses employing 43% of Georgia's workforce, you're joining the 7th best state for small business formation.
7 Steps to Starting a Business in Georgia
Your Georgia business journey takes 30-45 days from idea to opening. These seven steps get you there:
- Choose your business structure
- Name and register your business
- Get your EIN from the IRS
- Open a business bank account
- Register for Georgia state and local taxes
- Get licenses and permits
- Set up insurance and operations
1. Choose your business structure
Most Georgia businesses choose LLCs for personal asset protection at minimal cost. The state charges $100 to file online through the Georgia Corporations Division.
Corporations face Georgia's 5.39% corporate tax rate, scheduled to drop below 5% by 2028.
2. Name and register your business
Check name availability through Georgia's online portal first. File your Articles of Organization electronically for 3-5 business days processing versus 7-10 by mail. Foreign LLCs from other states pay $225 through Form CD 241.
3. Get your EIN from the IRS
Apply for your Employer Identification Number free through the IRS website—you'll receive it instantly. You need this before opening bank accounts or hiring your team.
4. Open a business bank account
Banks in Atlanta, Savannah, and Columbus require your EIN, Articles of Organization, and operating agreement. Minimum deposits range from $25-$500 depending on the institution.
5. Register for Georgia state and local taxes
Register through the Georgia Tax Center for sales tax, withholding, and unemployment insurance. Corporations file quarterly estimated payments on April 15, June 15, September 15, and December 15.
6. Get Licenses and Permits
Georgia doesn't require a general state business license, but counties and cities do. Fulton County charges $75-$500 based on gross receipts. Rural counties like Wilcox start at $15.
7. Get up insurance and operations
General liability insurance costs $400-$1,500 annually for most Georgia small businesses. Workers' comp becomes mandatory with three or more team members.
How to Get a Business License in Georgia?
You get a Georgia business license through your county or city government, not the state—Georgia doesn't impose a general state license requirement. Requirements vary by location and industry.
County business licenses: $15 in Wilcox County to $1,000 in Jefferson County
City business licenses: Atlanta charges $75-$500 based on revenue
Professional licenses: Healthcare, contractors, childcare need state licensing
Industry permits: Food service, alcohol sales require special approvals
Start with the Georgia Secretary of State's First Stop Business Guide to identify your requirements.
Pro tip: Check your city website for online business license applications before visiting in person.
What are the best cities to start a small business in Georgia?
The best Georgia cities for small businesses are Atlanta for tech and professional services, Columbus for military contracts, Augusta for healthcare ventures, and Savannah for tourism businesses.
Georgia attracts 81,406 new residents annually—sixth-highest in-migration nationally.
Atlanta Metro: Houses 165,839 professional service businesses with strong venture capital access
Columbus: Second-largest city with Fort Moore driving contract opportunities
Augusta: Medical corridor around Augusta University supports healthcare businesses
Savannah: Tourism generates $3 billion annually for local ventures
Macon: Central location emerging as AgTech innovation center
Note that Georgia has the second-highest cost of living growth nationally. Consider Alpharetta or Warner Robins for better value.
Pro tip: Contact your target city's economic development office for site selection help and potential incentives.
How Much Money Do You Need to Start Your Business in Georgia?
You need between $100 minimum for LLC filing to $69,509 on average to start a Georgia business, though construction businesses launch for $12,390 median while restaurants need $250,000+. Your costs depend on industry and location.
What are your required Georgia business filing fees and processing times?
Your required Georgia business filing fees are $100 for LLC formation online plus $50 annual registration, with 3-5 business days processing. Mail filing takes 7-10 business days.
- LLC formation: $100 online through Georgia Corporations Division
- Annual registration: $50 online, $60 by mail (due April 1st)
- Registered agent: $125-$300 annually (required)
- Business licenses: $15-$1,000 depending on county
- EIN: Free from IRS
Foreign LLCs pay $225 for registration. Add professional licensing fees for healthcare, construction, or childcare businesses.
What hidden costs should you budget for your Georgia business?
You should budget $3,000-$5,000 beyond filing fees for first-year hidden costs including insurance, professional services, and working capital. Corporations over $100,000 net worth face taxes up to $5,000.
- Insurance requirements: $400-$1,500 general liability, workers' comp at 3+ team members
- Professional services: $500-$2,000 attorney review, $300-$500 monthly bookkeeping
- Technology setup: $200-$500 monthly for POS, scheduling, payroll software
- Marketing launch: $1,000-$3,000 for website, signage, initial advertising
- Working capital: 3-6 months operating expenses (24.2% of businesses fail year one)
Georgia small businesses accessed $2.8 billion in loans under $1 million revenue last year—financing exists if you qualify.
What are the real startup costs beyond filing fees in Georgia?
The real startup costs beyond filing fees range from $12,390 for construction to $250,000+ for restaurants, with utilities averaging $265,676. Metro Atlanta costs exceed rural areas.
- Construction businesses: $12,390 median (lowest barrier)
- Professional services: $15,000-$30,000 (technology and marketing)
- Retail stores: $50,000-$100,000 (inventory and deposits)
- Restaurants: $93,621 median, typically $250,000+ (equipment and buildout)
- Healthcare practices: $100,000-$300,000 (licensing and equipment)
Georgia's 143,060 construction businesses demonstrate lower capital requirements work. But with 48% failing by year five, undercapitalization remains the top threat.
Pro tip: Calculate 6 months operating expenses plus 20% buffer for Georgia's rising costs.
What support resources can you access for your Georgia business?
You can access free counseling through SBDC centers at UGA, Georgia State, and Kennesaw State, plus SBA loans, SCORE mentoring, and Atlanta accelerators. Georgia secured $8.1 billion in small business loans under $1 million last year.
- Georgia SBDC: 17 offices statewide, free consulting and training
- SCORE Georgia: 400+ volunteer mentors with industry expertise
- Metro Atlanta Chamber: Networking events and B2B connections
- ATDC: Tech startup incubator at Georgia Tech
- Local economic development: County grants and tax incentives
The UGA SBDC helped create 3,726 jobs last year, including AI implementation workshops for small businesses.
Pro tip: Book a free SBDC consultation before filing—they'll review your business plan and identify potential issues.
What's your 30-day action plan to start your Georgia business?
Your 30-day Georgia business launch includes business structure selection (Week 1), registration and EIN (Week 2), licensing and permits (Week 3), and operational setup (Week 4). This assumes validated business idea and available capital.
Week 1: Foundation (Days 1-7)
- Choose LLC or corporation structure
- Research Georgia naming requirements
- Draft operating agreement
- Identify registered agent service
- Open business checking account
Week 2: Registration (Days 8-14)
- File Articles of Organization ($100 online)
- Obtain federal EIN (instant)
- Register for Georgia taxes
- Apply for county/city licenses
- Secure insurance quotes
Week 3: Compliance (Days 15-21)
- Complete professional licensing
- File special permits (food, alcohol, home-based)
- Set up workers' comp if hiring
- Register with Georgia Department of Labor
- Establish accounting system
Week 4: Launch Preparation (Days 22-30)
- Finalize insurance policies
- Set up payment processing
- Create marketing materials
- Hire and onboard initial team
- Schedule grand opening
Pro tip: Download Georgia Secretary of State's business checklist and customize for your industry.
What's your bottom line for Georgia business success?
Your bottom line for Georgia business success requires $69,509 average startup capital, surviving past the 48% five-year failure point, and leveraging Georgia's position as 7th best state for small business.
With 1.3 million small businesses employing 1.7 million Georgians, success means proper planning, adequate capital, and tracking the 10% net profit margin benchmark.
Your Next Move: Start with a free Georgia SBDC consultation to validate your model, then secure 6 months operating expenses before filing your LLC.
