How to start a business in Georgia (2026)
Everything a new business in Georgia needs in the first months: registration, licenses, taxes, insurance and the yearly deadlines, with official links.
1. Register your business
Most owners form an LLC with the Georgia Corporations Division. Once it's registered, find it here to claim a free website and see your exact dates.
2. Taxes
Get a free EIN from the IRS first. How. Register with Georgia before your first taxable sale. Register in Georgia
If you expect to owe $1,000 or more in federal tax for the year, you pay estimated tax four times a year.
Georgia's yearly report
An annual registration is due between January 1 and April 1 every year, starting the year after you form. The state fee is about $60.
Example: an LLC formed today would have its first one due Apr 1, 2027.
Your first-month checklist
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Get your EIN
Free from the IRS, online in about 10 minutes. Banks, clients and payroll all ask for it. You never need to pay a service for it. How to get it free
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Open a business bank account
Keeps the company's money separate from yours, which is what protects your LLC. See options
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Register for sales tax if you sell taxable goods or services
Register with Georgia before your first taxable sale. Register in Georgia
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Get general liability insurance
Most clients, landlords and venues ask for a certificate before you start. See options
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Set up bookkeeping
Track every sale and expense from day one so taxes take hours, not weeks. See options
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Payroll and workers' comp before your first hire
Most states require workers' comp once you have employees, and payroll software handles the tax filings. See options
What insurance costs
| Coverage | Median per month |
|---|---|
| General liability | $45 |
| Business owner's policy (BOP) | $83 |
| Workers' compensation | $54 |
| Professional liability | $88 |
Source: Insureon (100,000+ customers), Feb 2026. Your price depends on your work, location and history.
Other trades in Georgia
Sources: state agency sites linked above; annual report rules compiled from state sites (checked Oct 2026). Rules change, so confirm with the agency before filing.