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If you’re looking for an excellent Georgia LLC service then choose ZenBusiness. We’ve already formed 700,000+ businesses since 2017!
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Northwest Registered Agent charges $225 (plus state fee) for LLC filing services. That said, Northwest’s personalized customer support is a feature that could make their prices worth paying for some entrepreneurs.
Overall, Northwest does have some points in its favor. However, keep in mind that it charges $225 (plus your state’s required fee) for its LLC filing services.
Want to learn more? See this Northwest LLC review.
LegalZoom is one of the biggest names in the industry, with millions of customers served and frequent advertising efforts. LegalZoom provides an LLC filing package for free (plus the state’s fee).
LegalZoom is a huge company, so while it offers extended support hours, the quality of its customer support may vary a bit from representative to representative.
Want to learn more? See this LegalZoom LLC review.
Incfile/Bizee offers LLC formations for free, as long as you pay your state’s fee. Incfile and ZenBusiness have some similar characteristics, but there are also some significant differences that set the two apart.
If you’re looking for a cheap LLC formation service in Georgia and ZenBusiness doesn’t feel right for some reason, Incfile/Bizee could be worth a closer look.
Want to learn more? See this Incfile/Bizee LLC review.
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*Processing times are based on receiving complete information. ZenBusiness processing times do not include Secretary of State processing times, which can vary.**SPECIAL OFFER – Get Starter for $0 plus state fees. Includes one optional free year of Worry-Free Compliance that renews at $199/yr.† ZenBusiness is a financial technology company and is not a bank. Banking services provided by Thread Bank, Member FDIC.
Technically speaking, you don’t have to use an LLC formation service like ZenBusiness or LegalZoom. These services are incredibly helpful, but you can save money by completing the process yourself.
You can read our complete guide to DIY an LLC setup in Georgia, but here’s a quick look at the process:
Every LLC in Georgia needs a name that’s memorable and gives potential clients a good idea of what goods or services are available. The name also needs to be unique — both for legal reasons and so your business stands out from the competition.
As we’ve mentioned in this guide, every LLC needs an agent who can accept service of process on your behalf. In all states, you can act as your own registered agent as long as you have a physical address in the state. That said, we generally recommend that you appoint someone else (like an online service) to act as your agent.
This document, once filled out and filed, officially forms your business in the state of Georgia. You’ll need to provide some important information, including your contact information, your business address, signatures for your LLC’s members, and more. Georgia has a $100 filing fee.
Setting up the LLC is as easy as 1-2-3; it’s the maintenance requirements that are a bit more complicated:
If you have employees, you’ll need to get an Employer Identification Number from the IRS. Then there are state-specific taxes, too. Regardless of how your entity is taxed, the top income tax rate you’ll pay is 5.75%. That’s the corporate flat rate, and the individual rate ranges between 1 and 5.75%. There’s also the sales tax to account for (4% plus local rates). More information about these and other taxes can be found at the Georgia Department of Revenue.
Most businesses in Georgia will need to get an operating license, but don’t go to the Secretary of State to get them. Instead, those licenses are administered on the county level. The majority of businesses will also need to obtain professional licenses, too. Check out the state’s Licensing page to learn more.
Even single-member LLCs should create a “master document” that sets out how the business will operate, both now and in the future.
Each year, your LLC will need to file an annual report to update the state about the standing of your business. It’s due between January 1 and April 1, and the filing fee is $50 ($60 for mail-in filings).
Every business with employees needs to maintain workers’ compensation insurance and a commercial vehicle policy for company-owned vehicles. You may also want to get a general business liability policy, too.
You should sign up for a business bank account so you can write checks and make purchases in the name of the business instead of pulling from your personal accounts (a legal no-no).
This is just the tip of the iceberg, though. For more detailed guidance, we recommend contacting an attorney or checking out the full Georgia LLC Formation Guide.
LLCs are formal legal entities that are typically taxed similarly to sole proprietorships and general partnership vs LLC, in that the owners include any company profits or losses into their personal returns — the LLC itself does not owe income taxes. For more a more in-depth description see: What is an LLC?
You cannot form an LLC in Georgia without filing the Articles of Organization, the document that officially registers your business within the state. This filing costs $100 to file online, with an additional $10 fee if you opt to file by mail instead.
No matter what entity type you form, your business will need to submit an Annual Registration each year. This filing costs $50 plus $10 if you choose to file by mail.
Another important expense you can’t overlook is the general business license. Unlike many states, Georgia does not require this filing on the state level; instead, you will apply for that license on the county level. Each county changes its own filing fee.
Last but not least, you’ll want to keep annual taxes in mind. Georgia charges a flat rate for corporations and a bracketed personal income tax rate. Beyond that, you’ll also have to pay federal taxes, along with several others. Read more about Georgia costs – Georgia LLC costs.
FAQ's
Where Can I Get More Information About Forming LLCs in Georgia?
We invite you to take a look at our comprehensive guide to forming a limited liability company in Georgia. This article walks you through the LLC formation process in this state step by step, ensuring that you don’t miss any crucial elements.
How Can I Search Georgia’s Business Name Database?
One of the most important steps in forming a Georgia LLC is choosing a business name. Once you come up with ideas for your name, you should search through the Corporations Division’s business search to make sure your desired name is available. For more information on conducting a business name search in Georgia, check out Georgia business search on the topic.
Where Can I Find the Georgia Articles of Organization?
You can fill out the Georgia Articles of Organization on the Corporations Division website.
What Are Georgia’s Ongoing LLC Maintenance Requirements?
All LLCs operating in the state of Georgia are required to submit an annual report to the Secretary of State. It’s due by April 1 each year, and it costs $50.
Where Can I Learn More About the Georgia LLC Licensing and Permitting Requirements?
Chances are, you’ll require at least one license or permit to operate your LLC in compliance with Georgia state law. Find more information about business licenses in this state, check out the Secretary of State’s Licensing page. Also, don’t forget that all businesses operating in Georgia need to obtain an operating license from the county or city in which they primarily operate.
How Quickly Does Georgia Process LLC Formations?
Georgia has different turnaround times depending on how you form your LLC. For online registrations, the process typically takes seven business days. Mailed filings usually take roughly 15 business days, while hand-delivered documents have variable turnaround times, according to the Secretary of State.
You can expedite your order for $100, which speeds things up to two business days. For an extra $250, they will process your formation the same day you file it, as long as you submit your documents before noon on a weekday.
Which Company Provides the Best Georgia Registered Agent Service?
If you want more details about what these companies can offer in this state, or you’d like to take a look at some other options, check out our complete guide to Georgia registered agents.
How Can I Dissolve My Georgia LLC?
Unfortunately, not all businesses last forever. If the time comes when you need to close your LLC’s doors, you’ll need to do so in a manner consistent with the state’s regulations. That’s why we wrote our guide to Georgia LLC dissolutions, so you can complete the process in a compliant manner.
What if I Need to Expand a Business From Another State to Georgia?
If your LLC already exists in another state, you don’t actually need to “form” it in Georgia. Instead, you’ll need to foreign qualify the business in this state. This process is somewhat similar to LLC formation, but there are some crucial differences as well. Take a look at our guide to foreign qualifications in Georgia for more information.
Disclaimer: The content on this page is for information purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or accounting advice. If you have specific questions about any of these topics, seek the counsel of a licensed professional.
Written by Team ZenBusiness
ZenBusiness has helped people start, run, and grow over 700,000 dream companies. The editorial team at ZenBusiness has over 20 years of collective small business publishing experience and is composed of business formation experts who are dedicated to empowering and educating entrepreneurs about owning a company.
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