How to Start a Business In Georgia
If you want to start a business in the state of Georgia, you will need to complete a few important steps in order to become a legal business.
Getting started– Two websites Georgia has created about how to start a business can be found here: http://www.georgia.org/small-business/start/ and http://www.georgiasbdc.org/startsmart/
- Register your business name.
You will need to register your business name with the Superior Court Clerk in your Georgia county.
If you need help choosing a business name: 12 Tips to Help Choose a Business Name
- Select your business structure.
Sole-proprietor, LLC, Partnership, Corporation, etc. Find out more here: http://sos.ga.gov/admin/files/legal_entity.pdf
- Register your business with the state of Georgia.
You can register your business with the state of Georgia here: https://ecorp.sos.ga.gov/
- Open a Business Checking Account.
You will need to open a separate bank account for your business using new business name.
- Find out about taxes and hire an accountant.
You may want to file your own taxes if you are a small company. As you grow, it will be easier to have an accountant do the work. More info about taxes here: https://dor.georgia.gov/business-taxes and http://www.irs.gov/Businesses/Small-Businesses-&-Self-Employed/Starting-a-Business
- Consider Liability Insurance.
You may wish to have liability insurance, depending on what type of business you start.