It’s easy to form an LLC in Georgia yourself. Just follow these steps:
Or, use a trusted formation service:
Tailor Brands ($0 + State Fees)
Starting an LLC in Georgia Is Easy
You can get a Georgia LLC online yourself by filing the Articles of Organization with the Georgia Corporations Division. The cost to create an LLC in Georgia is $100-$110.
Follow our How to Form an LLC in Georgia guide below to get started.
For more information on how to form an LLC in any state, visit our How to Start an LLC guide.
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Get StartedStep 1: Create A Name For Your Georgia LLC
Before you register your Georgia LLC, you’ll need to come up with a name. Your business name needs to be catchy for branding purposes and legitimate for legal purposes.
Naming Your LLC
First, brainstorm some possibilities. Use our LLC name generator to get the ideas flowing.
Next, make sure your name meets Georgia guidelines:
- it must contain the words limited liability company, limited company, LLC or L.L.C.
- it can’t contain words (or variations of words) like bank, insurance, or university, without approval
- it must be distinguishable from any other entity or trade name registered in Georgia
- full list of Georgia naming guidelines
Next, do a Georgia LLC name search with the Corporations Division to find out if your name is available in Georgia.
If your business name is available and meets guidelines, you’ll be able to register it when you file your Georgia Articles of Organization with the Corporations Division.
Is the URL available? Before you commit 100% to a name, check to see if there’s a good web domain available.
We recommend buying your domain right away because even if launching a business website isn’t on your radar right now, it will be soon.
Using a Georgia Trade Name (DBA)
A Georgia DBA (doing business as), also known as a trade name, is any registered name that a business operates under that isn’t its legal business name. A trade name can be used by any type of business, including a sole proprietorship, partnership, or limited liability company (LLC).
Learn how to get a DBA in our Georgia DBA guide.
Step 2: Choose a Georgia Registered Agent
When you file your Articles of Organization, you’ll need to list a registered agent. A registered agent’s job is to accept legal documents like service of process and tax notices for your LLC.
Your registered agent can be a person or a registered agent service. You can act as your own registered agent, but many business owners choose to use a registered agent service.
Here are a few things to think about before you decide to act as your own registered agent:
- You’ll need to be available during normal (9 am – 5 pm) business hours at the address you provide
- If you run your business from home, you’ll have to make your personal address public
- You could be served with a lawsuit in front of your family or coworkers
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Get StartedStep 3: File the Georgia Articles of Organization
It’s time to officially form your Georgia LLC by filing your Articles of Organization with the Corporations Division.
You can file online with the Corporations Division or fill out a hard copy of Georgia Form CD 030 and Transmittal 231 Form and mail it in. The filing fee is $100-$110.
There are only 2 “Articles” on the Articles of Organization. You’ll be asked to provide your:
- LLC name
- The effective date of filing
- Date, signature, and role in forming the LLC
For detailed instructions, visit our Georgia Articles of Organization guide.
Mail Your Articles of Organization:
Send your form and payment (payable to the Secretary of State) to:
Corporations Division 2
Martin Luther King Jr. Dr.
SE, Suite 313 West Tower
Atlanta, GA 30334
How long does it take to get a Georgia LLC approved? The LLC processing time is 5 to 7 days online or up to 2 weeks by mail.
Step 4: Create a Georgia LLC Operating Agreement
Creating a Georgia LLC operating agreement is the only way to legally lock down your LLC’s management and ownership structure. Having an operating agreement in place will give you something to return to if a dispute or lawsuit arises.
Even single-member LLCs benefit from having an operating agreement.
Your operating agreement should outline the following:
- Each member’s responsibilities
- How new members will be admitted
- How existing members may transfer or terminate their membership
- How profits and dividends will be distributed
You can add as many provisions as you want, as long as they don’t conflict with Georgia law. Take a look at our What is an Operating Agreement guide to learn more.
Download a template or create a custom Free Operating Agreement using our tool.
Step 5: Obtain An EIN For Your LLC
An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is like a Social Security number (SSN) for your company. The IRS and the state of Georgia will use this number to track your business activity.
Your EIN will come in handy when it’s time to:
- Open a business bank account
- File Federal and State taxes
- Hire employees
The best way to get an EIN for your LLC in Georgia is by using the free online application on the IRS website.
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Best LLC ServicesStep 6: File a Beneficial Ownership Information Report
When forming a Georgia LLC, one of the important steps is to complete the Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) Report with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN).
This report — also known as the FinCEN BOI report — is designed to combat money laundering, terrorist financing, and other illicit activities by requiring LLCs to disclose information about their beneficial owners.
This is free to file through the FinCEN website.
New LLCs must complete this filing within 90 days of formation. Existing LLCs must file before January 1, 2025.
Failure to complete this filing requirement will result in a $500 per day fine.
Steps After Forming an LLC in Georgia
After forming your Georgia LLC, it’s important to:
Open A Business Bank Account
A business bank account helps separate personal expenses and company expenses, which is required to maintain your Georgia LLC’s corporate veil. A corporate veil protects your personal assets from creditors in potential lawsuits against your LLC or Business.
Learn more by reading this guide to Banking for Entrepreneurs. For a multi-member LLC, you’ll also want to set up capital accounts for LLC members. We also recommend checking out our review of the best business bank accounts.
Get A Business Credit Card
A business credit card will help separate personal and business expenses while building your company’s credit history. A strong credit history will be useful for raising capital in the form of venture capital, angel investment, or small business loans.
Set Up Business Accounting
Hiring a business accountant is one of the best ways to ensure you’re taking advantage of LLC tax benefits; possibly saving you and your business thousands of dollars per year.
When forming an LLC in Georgia, it’s a good idea to start a relationship with a business accountant as soon as you start your business to help set your company up for success.
Get Business Insurance
Business insurance helps manage risk. The most common forms of business insurance are general liability, professional liability, and workers’ compensation.
Find out the real cost of getting insurance for your business. Get a free quote or call 855-965-3168.
Keep Your Company Compliant
Research Georgia Business Licenses and Permits
To operate an LLC in Georgia, you will need to comply with federal, state, and local government regulations such as health permits, building permits, and signage permits.
Business licensing and permit requirements vary from state to state. To get started, visit our How to Get a Business License in Georgia guide. To help facilitate this process, you can also utilize a business license service.
File Your Georgia LLC Annual Registration
All Georgia LLCs must file an annual report, known in the state as an annual registration, with the Secretary of State each year. This must be submitted online by April 1, along with the $20 filing fee.
Understand Georgia State Tax Requirements
Georgia businesses selling a physical product are generally required to register for a seller’s permit with the Georgia Department of Revenue. Visit our Georgia Sales Tax guide to learn more about seller’s permits and Georgia sales tax.
Additionally, if your Georgia LLC has employees, you will need to register for unemployment insurance tax through the Georgia Department of Labor and employee withholding tax through the Georgia Department of Revenue.
Understand Your Georgia LLC’s Federal Tax Requirements
Most Georgia LLCs will need to report their income to the IRS each year using Form 1065 Partnership Return (multi-member LLCs) or Form 1040 Schedule C (single-member LLCs).
How you pay yourself will affect your federal taxes. Visit our guide to learn more about how to pay yourself from your LLC.
Know Your Georgia LLC’s Federal Tax Election Options
Pass-through taxation entails a business’s profits passing through to the LLC member’s individual tax returns. Like a sole proprietorship, an LLC is taxed as a pass-through entity, also known as a disregarded entity.
Once this process is completed and after any tax-deductible expenses are taken out, the LLC members pay self-employment taxes and income tax on their portion of the business income.
Alternatively, Georgia LLCs can choose to elect to be taxed as an S corporation (S corp) or C corporation (C corp). If S corporation tax status is elected, LLC members can be taxed as employees of the business, potentially reducing tax burden.
More LLC Resources
- Georgia Foreign LLCs: Forming a foreign LLC allows your company to operate as one entity in multiple states. Download the Georgia foreign LLC form to get started.
- Georgia Certificate of Good Standing: A certificate of good standing verifies that your LLC was legally formed. To order, follow our Georgia certificate of good standing guide.
- Dissolving a Georgia LLC: If you are ready to dissolve your LLC, follow the steps in our Georgia LLC Dissolution Guide.
- LLC Legal Forms: TRUiC offers a number of free LLC legal forms including operating agreements, LLC resolutions, and hiring documents.
