By Jasmine Stark
Step 1: Choose a Business Structure
Step 2: Pick a Name (Do You Need a DBA?)
If you are starting a Sole Proprietorship or a Partnership and using a name other than your own or your partners, you will need to register a DBA (Doing Business As) with the Monroe County Superior Clerk of Court. This can be done by visiting the Monroe County Superior Court located at 1 Courthouse Square, Forsyth, GA.
If you are starting an LLC, Nonprofit, Corporation, or S Corporation, you will file articles of incorporation or articles of organization in the next step and will not need to register a DBA unless you want to operate your business under a different name than the one in your articles of incorporation/articles of organization.
Step 3: Register Your Business with the Georgia Secretary of State
Sole Proprietorships and General Partnerships can skip this step. All other business structures must file with the Georgia Secretary of State. Limited Partnerships will need to file a Certificate of Limited Partnership. LLCs must file Articles of Organization. Corporations must file Articles of Incorporation.
S Corporations and Nonprofits can register initially as either a Corporation or an LLC. Nonprofits will need to specify their nonprofit purpose in their articles and include information on the board of directors.
Go to https://sos.ga.gov/how-to-guide/how-guide-register-domestic-entity to get started.
Step 4: Secure a Federal EIN (Employer Identification Number)
It is mandatory for all businesses other than a Sole Proprietorship to get an EIN and any Sole Proprietorship who plans to hire employees will need an EIN before they hire anyone other than themselves. An EIN is the number that you will use (instead of your social security number) when filing taxes for the business.
You can apply for an EIN through the IRS website (https://sa.www4.irs.gov/applyein/)
If your business is a Sole Proprietorship, and you don’t plan on hiring any employees then you may not need an EIN. When filing taxes you will use your social security number in place of an EIN.
Step 5: Register with the Georgia DOR (Department of Revenue)
Most businesses will need to file with the Georgia DOR to get a State Tax ID. A good rule of thumb is if you needed an EIN and/or you will be collecting sales tax, you need to register with the DOR. Using the Georgia tax center, you can register for a state tax ID number (https://gtc.dor.ga.gov/_/#1)
Step 6: Register with the Georgia Department of Labor (if hiring employees)
If your business will have employees, you will need to register with the Georgia Department of Labor when you hire your first. Your business will need to file quarterly wage and tax reports and make tax payments online through the Georgia DOL Employer Portal.
Step 7: Open a Separate Business Bank Account.
This step is not legally required, especially if you are a sole proprietorship without an LLC or EIN but is helpful for keeping track of business income and expenses for clarity and tax purposes and if your business is an LLC or Corporation, keeping a separate bank account is one of the rules that will help protect your personal assets from business related liabilities.
Depending on the type of business you plan to open you may need additional licenses. Some examples include Food or Alcohol Related Businesses, Construction and Contracting, Health Care and Pharmacy Services, Animal-related businesses, etc.
