Georgia LLC Costs

Last updated: March 18th, 2024
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A limited liability company, or LLC, provides business owners liability protection, unique tax advantages, and a more manageable management structure. Some business owners have the misconception that forming an LLC in Georgia is costly and complicated. It is a straightforward process and a cost-effective business structure over time.

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Costs to start an LLC in Georgia

1
LLC Articles of Organization fee ($100)

2
Georgia annual registration fee ($50)

  • You will file your mandatory annual registration using the Secretary of State Corporate Divisions website.
  • You must pay your Georgia LLC annual registration of $50 annually between January 1 and April 1.
  • If you submit your annual report registration after April 1, the late fee is $25.
  • Your LLC may face dissolution in Georgia if you fail to file the registration within 60 days of the due date.

3
Georgia registers agent fee (varies between $50 to $300)

  • Georgia law mandates that you obtain a registered agent when forming an LLC.
  • A registered agent receives legal documents on your LLC’s behalf, including subpoenas, tax notices, and business-related correspondence.
  • In Georgia, the cost of a registered agent will depend on the service you use, your company’s needs, and state fees.
  • Georgia allows you to act as your own registered agent. However, it is recommended that you appoint a registered agent so you can avoid late fees and missing deadlines.

4
Fees to form a foreign LLC in Georgia ($225)

5
LLC name reservation fee ($25 online)

  • Georgia does not require you to reserve your LLC name before formation.
  • However, when you reserve your Georgia LLC name, you make sure no one else can use it before completing the formation.
  • You can research your Georgia LLC name for up to 12 months.
  • If you reserve your LLC name by mail, the fee is $35.
  • You will complete and submit the Name Reservation Form along with the $25 online filing fee to the Secretary of State Corporation Division.

6
DBA filing fees in Georgia (average cost $170)

  • The abbreviation DBA stands for ‘doing business as.’ It is any registered name a person or LLC uses to do business that is not the legal name.
  • You will register your Georgia DBA name with the county you do business in.
  • The average LLC cost for a DBA is $170 in Georgia.

7
Cost of certified document copies ($10)

8
Certificate of Existence($10)

  • Financial institutions and lenders will require a Certificate of Existence for business banking purposes.
  • You will order your Certificate of Existence through the Georgia Corporations Division website.
  • The cost for obtaining your Certificate of Existence in Georgia is $10.

Steps to start an LLC in Georgia

1
Choose a business name

You will need to consider a few things when making a decision about a Georgia LLC name.

  • The LLC name must be unique and available in Georgia.
  • It must meet the state LLC name requirements and restrictions.
  • Check the availability of a web domain to make branding easier.

You will use the Georgia Corporation Divisions name search to check the availability of your LLC name.

LLC name reservation fee

Georgia allows you to reserve an LLC name for up to 12 months before LLC formation. You must renew the name reservation to make sure no one else obtains the business name.

You must complete and submit the Name Reservation Form to the Georgia Corporation Division. The filing fee is $25 online and $35 by mail.

The cost to reserve a Georgia LLC name for up to 12 months is $25 online, and $35 if you file by mail. Name reservation is not mandatory in Georgia.

2
Appoint a Georgia registered agent

You must appoint a registered agent in Georgia when forming an LLC.

The price for a registered agent or service varies beetween $50 and $100 a year. The cost depends on the state and your LLC needs.

A registered agent in Georgia is an individual or business entity that receives tax forms, legal documents, subpoenas, civil notices, service of process, and other official government correspondence on behalf of a sole proprietorship, corporation, or LLC.

The registered agent you choose must be a Georgia resident or a registered agent service authorized to conduct business in the state.

ZenBusiness

  • Starter Plan – $39 a year plus State Fees
  • Pro Plan – $149 a year plus State Fees
  • Premium Plan – $249 a year plus State Fees

ZenBusiness offers a stand-alone registered agent service. The price is $99 per year.

Northwest

  • Total Out The Door Georgia LLC Formation Service Package – $45 a month and includes:
    • Georgia State Fee
    • Filing Service Fee
    • Registered Agent
    • Tax ID
  • Annual Plan – $225 plus State Fees a year

LegalZoom

  • Economy – $79 plus $153 Georgia filing fees
  • Standard – $329 plus $153 state filing fees
  • Express Gold – $349 plus $255 state filing fees

3
File Articles of Organization

You file your Articles of Organization in Georgia with the Secretary of State Corporations Divisions.

You can file online using the Corporations Division website.

Or, you can complete and submit the Georgia Articles of Organization form (Form CD 030) by mail.

Mailing Address and business address:
Corporations Division 2
Martin Luther King Jr. Dr.
SE, Suite 313 West Tower
Atlanta, GA 30334

Form CD 030 will ask you for information about your Georgia LLC.

  • LLC name
  • The effective date

The filing fee for your Georgia LLC’s Articles of Organization is $100.

4
Get a Georgia LLC EIN

An Employer Identification Number, or EIN, can also be referred to as a Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN) or Federal Tax ID Number (FTIN).

An EIN is a 9-digit number that identifies your LLC for income tax purposes. It acts as a Social Security number for companies, and the IRS assigns them for free.

The IRS requires that all Georgia LLC owners obtain an EIN if they convert a sole proprietorship into a limited liability company.

Applying for an EIN is a simple process online through the IRS website.

Business banking for a Georgia LLC

Personal bank accounts and business bank accounts should always be separate. It protects personal assets and owners’ credit scores.

Banks and financial institutions in Georgia will need a copy of your Articles of Organization, an operating agreement, and your assigned EIN before allowing you to open a business banking account.

Business banking accounts are typically free of additional fees and charges.

Business attorney fees in Georgia

Seeking a business attorney for LLC formation in Georgia ensures a more straightforward process. A lawyer will handle any business-related issues or problems that arise.

Most business attorneys offer a free consultation for their first-time clients.

Professional services such as LegalZoom and Rocket Lawyer offer LLC formation packages that include comprehensive legal services.

On average, a business lawyer in Georgia will cost $300 per hour.

LLC taxes in Georgia

  • In Georgia, LLCs are considered pass-through entities. Members will file their personal taxes rather than the LLC’s state tax return.
  • You must obtain a seller’s permit through the Georgia Department of Revenue Tax Center website.
  • Georgia’s state sales tax rate is 4.00%, and the maximum for local and county business tax rates is 4.90%.
  • If you hire employees for your LLC, you must register for Unemployment Insurance Tax with the Georgia Department of Labor.
  • Your Georgia LLC register for Employee Withholding Tax using Georgia Tax Center.
  • State and federal taxes are complicated. It makes hiring an expert worthwhile for many LLCs.

Business licenses and permits in Georgia

Permit and license fees vary depending on where your business is located and the type of business it is.

You will need to obtain a Georgia business license through the Department of Revenue.

In Georgia, the cost of a state business license is $50.

Georgia counties, cities, and towns will have different requirements and rules when obtaining permits and licenses. You will need to call and ask about the process, price, and office hours.

Notary public

Some Georgia LLC documents may require a notarization from a notary public.

Most government offices have one on staff if you cannot find a notary public.

A Notary public in Georgia can charge $5 per notorial act.

Employer obligations in Georgia

Benefits of a Georgia LLC

  • When you form an LLC in Georgia, you are simplifying business banking. Banking institutions and lenders require you to open a separate business banking account from your personal one. It helps to reduce your personal liability for company debts and potential lawsuits.
  • LLCs and corporations have different compliance requirements in Georgia. Corporations have shareholders and stock owners to answer to when making business decisions.
  • LLCs are considered pass-through entities in Georgia. Forming an LLC helps to ensure that the earnings are only taxed once through your personal tax returns.
  • In Georgia, LLC filing fees ($100) and annual registration fees ($50) are highly affordable.

FAQs

How long does it take to register an LLC in Georgia?

It takes 15 business days to process an LLC registration in Georgia.

Georgia does offer expedited services for LLC formation: 2-day – $100, Same Day $250, 1 hour – $1000.

How do I dissolve my Georgia LLC?

You can file your Certificate of Termination with the Secretary of State Corporations Division online or complete and submit the form by mail.

The state filing fee for your LLC dissolution is $10 by mail, and no charge if you file online.

Do I need a business operating agreement for my LLC in Georgia?

Georgia does not require that you develop and file an LLC operating agreement.

However, LLCs often opt to draw one up because it prevents future misunderstandings between management and finance. It can be written or oral as long as it is in the company’s files.

Are there publication requirements for an LLC in Georgia?

Limited liability companies and foreign corporations have no publication requirements in Georgia. But, when you do publish your new LLC, it is a ready-made advertisement for your brand.

However, if you plan on obtaining trade name registration, you will need to publish the notice in a local publication once a week for two straight weeks.

Is a Georgia LLC worth it for a small business?

Small businesses, entrepreneurs, and startups benefit when forming an LLC in Georgia. It gives your company credibility, liability protection, and access to unique state-specific tax breaks.

Once you’ve formed an LLC, hiring a business banking partner is an excellent idea to keep your finances manageable.

Can I take money out of my LLC in Georgia?

Single-member LLCs do not get paid wages or a yearly salary. Instead, they pay themselves from their Georgia LLC profits. The process is referred to as an owner’s draw.

It is legal to write a check from an LLC banking in order to transfer those funds to a personal banking account.

What is the minimum number of members for a Georgia LLC?

Georgia only requires one or more people to form an LLC.

Multi-member LLCs have two or more owners and allocate the profits and losses amongst themselves.

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