Georgia Business License

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General Business Licensing Guide
Overview
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General Business License Requirements for Georgia.

Business licenses are often required of business entities, regardless of their products and services. This page provides an overview of business license requirements in Georgia.

Georgia General Business Licenses

Georgia Business License

Not required



General Business License licensure is not required on the State level in Georgia.

Business licensing is conducted at the city level in Georgia.

Local General Business Licenses

Athens-Clarke County Occupational Tax License

Agency:Athens-Clarke Unified Government Financial Services Division - Business Tax Administration
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:No
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No
Requirement Notes:

The first step in obtaining the occupation tax certificate is to verify that the type of business meets all zoning requirements for the business location. Even if another business has been located in this area previously, verification for zoning compliance is required. Contact: Planning Department, 120 W. Dougherty St. (706) 613-3515


If you plan to operate a business from your home, the Planning Department must approve and issue a Home Occupation Approval. Submit the “Home Occupation Approval” form to the Finance Department when making application for the Occupation Tax Certificate. Contact: Planning Department, 120 W. Dougherty St. (706) 613-3515.


If your business serves food and/or drinks, you will need a food permit before Business Occupation Tax Certificate can be
issued. Contact: Environmental Health Services, 189 Paradise Blvd (706) 583-2658.


If your business is a grocery store or convenience store you will need a permit from the Department of Agriculture before Business Occupation Tax Certificate can be issued. Contact: Department of Agriculture at (404-656-3621 or (706) 546-
3576


If your profession (ex: Doctor, Lawyer, Contractor, Plumber, Electrician; Barber; Beautician; Nail Technician) requires a State License, a copy of your State License has to be provided before Business Occupation Tax Certificate can be issued


 

Initial Registration

Form:

Occupational Tax License Registration Application 

Filing Method:

Mail

Agency Fee:

Fee is determined by number of employees and owners. See applicationfor more details. 

Registration Renewal

Form:

Occupational Tax License Registration Application (Renewal)

Filing Method:

Mail 

Agency Fee:

Fee is detemrined by number of owners and employees. See application for more details. 

Due:

Annually by April 1. 

Augusta Business License

Agency:Augusta Planning and Development Department - Permitting and Licensing Division (GA)
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:No
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No

Initial Registration

Form:

Business License Application

Agency Fee:

Initial fees are based on estimated gross receipts. See Occupation Tax Schedule for details.

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

Fees vary by gross receipts. See Occupation Tax Schedule for details.

Due:

Annually by January 31.

City of Albany Occupational Tax Certificate

Agency:City of Albany License and Business Support Department (GA)
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:No
Insurance Requirements:

Contractors must provide a current Certificate of Insurance depicting liability insurance coverage of at least $100,000 and the City of Albany as certificate holder.

Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No

Initial Registration

Form:

Occupational Tax Certification Registration Application - Commercial Business

Filing Method:

Mail or online. 

Agency Fee:

$125

Notes:

Contractors must provide a current Certificate of Insurance depicting liability insurance coverage of at least $100,000.00 and the City of Albany as certificate holder. Upon any cancellation or expiration of the insurance coverage, your license is void and of no force and effect. Additionally, you may be summoned to Municipal Court as such conduct would be a violation of CITY CODE sec.26-26.

Registration Renewal

Form:

Occupational Tax Certificate Application - Commercial Business (Renewal) 

Filing Method:

Mail or online. 

Agency Fee:

Based on fee schedule.

Due:

Annually by January 31.

City of Atlanta General Business License

Agency:City of Atlanta Office of Revenue (GA)

Initial Registration

Form:

New Business License Application

Agency Fee:

Fees vary. Visit this page to calculate your fee.

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Mail or online. 

Agency Fee:

Fees vary. Visit this page to calculate your fee.

Due:

Annually by December 31.

Penalties:

​Per Ordinance 04-O-1810, failure to renew your business license by December 31 of each year will result in a $500 Failure to File penalty. ​


Any payment received after December 31 will be subject to a 10% penalty and 1.5 % interest assessment on the unpaid principal. 

City of Decatur Occupation Tax Certificate

Agency:City of Decatur Administrative Services (GA)
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:No
Notes:

The Decatur business license/occupation tax applies only to businesses located inside the Decatur city limits. 

Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No

Initial Registration

Form:

Occupation Tax Certificate Registration Application

Filing Method:

Mail

Agency Fee:

Fee determined by class + $25 administrative fee

Required Attachments:
  • Fire Inspection Report
  • Certificate of Occupancy 

Registration Renewal

Form:

Occupation Tax Certificate Registration Application (Renewal)

Filing Method:

Mail 

Agency Fee:

Fee determined by class type 

Due:

Annually by January 31. 

City of Peachtree Corners Business License (Occupational Tax Certificate)

Agency:City of Peachtree Corners (GA)
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:No
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No

Initial Registration

Form:

Business License Registration Application 

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

Estimated gross reciepts + $80 administrative fee

Required Attachments:
  •  Gwinnett County Fire Marshal Certificate of Occupancy (call 678-518-6000)
  • Certificate of Occupancy (if applicable)
  • Copy of Government issued ID
  •  Copy of Lease (for businesses that are not home-based)
  • Copy of Practitioners' License(s) (if applicable)
  • Copy of Health Permit (if applicable)
  • Copy of State License (if applicable)
  • Proof of 501-C status (if applicable)

Registration Renewal

Form:

Business License Renewal Application 

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

Determinedby gross reciepts and fee class. 

Due:

Annually by March 31. 

City of Valdosta Business License

Agency:City of Valdosta Finance Department (GA)
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:No
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No

Initial Registration

Form:

Business License Registration Application 

Filing Method:

Mail

Agency Fee:

Fee is determined by class type. See application for more details. 

Registration Renewal

Form:

Business License Registration Application (Renewal)

Filing Method:

Mail

Agency Fee:

Fee determined by class type. See application for more details. 

Due:

Annually by January 31. 

Cobb County Occupation Tax Certificate

Agency:Cobb County Business License Division (GA)

Initial Registration

Form:

Occupational Tax Certificate Application

Notarize:Required

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Columbia County Business License / Occupational Tax

Agency:Columbia County Development Services Division - Licensing Department (GA)
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:Yes
Notes:

All businesses with a physical location in the unincorporated area of Columbia County are required to obtain a business license and pay an occupational tax.  The fees are based on the number of employees and range from $100.00 to $2,250.00.

Businesses without a physical presence in the unincorporated area Columbia County are required to obtain a business license and may be required to pay an occupational tax.

Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No

Initial Registration

Form:

Occupational Tax Application (Business License Registration) 

Filing Method:

Email licensing@columbiacountyga.gov

Agency Fee:

The occupational tax is based on the number of employees (including owners) at this location and is computed on a full-time equivalency (FTE) basis. See application for more details. The occupational tax is pro-rated by 50% for businesses that begin after June 30 in any calendar year.

Turnaround:

7 days

Required Attachments:
  • Professional license/certification/permit, if required by state or federal government. Notarized licensee permission may be required if the license/certification/permit is issued to an individual that is not the applicant for the business license.
  • Secretary of State Registration. Corporations, limited liability companies, and limited partnerships in Georgia are formed through the Secretary of State’s Corporations Division. Proof of registration for the current year is required for these business. If your business is organized within another state, it must be registered as a foreign entity with the Georgia Secretary of State. 
  • Home occupations compliance signed & dated by the applicant (only for home based or mobile business). 
  • Permanent resident card, for applicants who are not a United States Citizen. 

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

The occupational tax is based on the number of employees (including owners) at this location and is computed on a full-time equivalency (FTE) basis. See application for more details. 

Due:

Annually by January 31. 

Columbus Business License

Agency:City of Columbus Revenue Division (GA)

Initial Registration

Form:

Business License Request Form

Agency Fee:

$75 license fee + $40 for occupancy permit fee

Notarize:Required

Registration Renewal

Form:

Business License Renewal Form

Agency Fee:

$75

Due:

Annually by April 1.

Notarize:Required

DeKalb County Occupational Tax Certificate

Agency:DeKalb County Business License Division (GA)

Initial Registration

Form:

Business Registration Application

Agency Fee:

Fees vary by gross receipts and employee count

Notarize:Required

Registration Renewal

Agency Fee:

Fees vary by gross receipts and employee count

Due:

Annually by February 1.

Notarize:Required

Fulton County Business License

Agency:Fulton County Finance Department (GA)
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:No
Notes:

Fulton County issues licenses businesses located in the Fulton Industrial District (unincorporated) only. All other businesses are licensed by their city.

Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No

Initial Registration

Form:

New Business License Application

Filing Method:

New business applicants must apply in person. All others may file through mail. 

Agency Fee:

Fees is determined by estimated gross recipets + $25 administrative fee + $50 flate rate for first $20,000 of revenue + $13 employee rate

Required Attachments:
  • Commerical Business
    • Picture identification 
    • Current Fire Inspection 
    • Current Health Inspection 
    • Current Food Permit 
    • State Licenses/Certifications 
    • Certificate of OCcupancy 
  • Home Based
    • Picture identifications 
    • Proof of residency 

Registration Renewal

Form:

Business License Renewal Application 

Filing Method:

Mail. Late renewal must apply in person. 

Agency Fee:

Fee determined by gross reciepts. See application for more details. 

Due:

Annually by March 31. 

Gwinnett County Business/Occupation Tax Certificate

Agency:Gwinnett County Department of Planning and Development (GA)

Initial Registration

Form:

Business/Occupation Tax Application

Agency Fee:

Fees vary by gross receipts and employee count

Notarize:Required

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Online

Agency Fee:

Fees vary by gross receipts and employee count

Due:

Annually by February 15.

Macon-Bibb County Occupational Tax Certificate

Agency:Macon-Bibb Tax Commissioner (GA)
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:No
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No

Initial Registration

Form:

General Business License Supplemental Packet

Filing Method:

Mail

Agency Fee:

Fee is determined by business type. See fee schedule. 

Before you Apply:
  • Ensure that your documents have been notarized where required
Required Attachments:
  • Zoning Compliance form
  • Fire Inspection form
  • Food Service Inspection form 
  • Food Sales Inspection form
  • Georgia Department of Agriculture Inspection Report
  • E-Verify and Private Employer Affidavit
  • Coin-Operated Amusement Machines (Class B Machines) Form
  • S.A.V.E. Affidavit
  • Secure and Verifiable Document

Registration Renewal

Form:

General Business License Renewal Supplemental Packet

Filing Method:

Mail

Due:

Annually by December 31. 

Penalties:

To avoid penalty and monthly interest charges, Business License renewal applications must be submitted on or before the annual April 1st deadline.If your Business License is delinquent, a 10% penalty and 1.5% monthly interest must be paid for each past due year before your Business License can be renewed.

Savannah Business Tax Certificate

Agency:City of Savannah Revenue Department (GA)

Initial Registration

Form:

Business Tax Application

Agency Fee:

Fees vary

Notarize:Required

Registration Renewal

Form:

Business Tax Application (Renewal)

Agency Fee:

Fees vary

Due:

Annually by January 31.

Notarize:Required

Tifton Business License

Agency:Tifton City Clerk's Office (GA)
Foreign Qualification is Prerequisite:No
Registered Agent (Special Agency) Required?No

Initial Registration

Form:

Business License Application

Agency Fee:

Business License fees are based on Gross Income for the Business. New businesses will need to estimate the first year income.

Registration Renewal

Filing Method:

Email a completed renewal form to BLrenewals@tifton.net. Your renewal will be processed within three business days and an invoice with payment instructions will be emailed back for paying your bill online.

Agency Fee:

Business License fees are based on Gross Income. See renewal application for details.

Due:

Annually by April 1.

Learn about general business licensing requirements in other states:

Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho
Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri
Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania
Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming

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Revised August 23, 2022. Complete data last reviewed August 04, 2017.
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