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Resources
- Bright from the State Georgia Department of Early Learning
10 Park Place S
Suite 200
Atlanta, GA 30303
Phone: 404-657-5562
Bright from the State Georgia Department of Early Learning website
Businesses that want to provide child care services need to contact the Department of Human Resources (DHR). Organizations caring for less than six children need to register with DHR. If providing care for more than seven children, the organization needs to be licensed.
- Georgia Department of Agriculture Consumer Protection Division
19 Martin Luther King Drive
Agriculture Building, Room 306
Atlanta, GA 30334
Phone: 404-656-3627
Georgia Department of Agriculture Consumer Protection Division website
Businesses involved in food processing or grocery sales need a food sales establishment license from the Georgia Department of Agriculture before starting. An inspection is also required and may be requested by phone. An application for business will be accepted if the inspection shows that the establishment meets the department’s requirements. Help can be obtained from the Department of Agriculture in preparing for the inspection. It is advised that business owners contact the department before investing in any renovation, equipment or plans.
- State of Georgia Information Line
Phone: 404-656-2000
State of Georgia Information Line website
Firms engaged in cooking or food preparation, including restaurants, hotels and nursing homes, are licensed by the county environmental health departments. Categories of business that concern the public interest are subject to special permits, licensing and
inspection. This includes, but is not limited to, schools, nurseries, motor transport, public entertainment, employment agencies, securities dealers and financial institutions. - Department of Revenue Alcohol & Tobacco Unit
1800 Century Boulevard NE
Suite 4235
Atlanta, GA 30345-3205
Phone: 404-417-4900
Businesses which sell alcoholic beverages must have a state alcoholic beverage license and a local license which is obtained from either the city or county in which the store is located. The application forms for the licenses must be completed before the business is opened. Local authorities and the Department of Revenue can be of assistance in preparing the application.
- United States Internal Revenue Service
275 Peachtree Street NE
Atlanta, GA 30303
Phone: 800-829-1040
United States Internal Revenue Service website
Taxes cannot be ignored, of course. Business owners are required by law to withhold the following from the wages paid to employees: federal income taxes, state income taxes and FICA (Social Security) Insurance. Income taxes will also be levied by the federal and state governments on earnings of any business. Therefore, each business must file an income tax return with both agencies. Businesses may be required to file estimated tax returns and pay estimated taxes on a quarterly basis.
- Georgia Department of Revenue Taxpayer Services Division
1800 Century Boulevard NE
Atlanta, GA 30345-3205
Phone: 404-417-2400
Georgia Department of Revenue Taxpayer Services Division website
State tax information can be obtained from here.
- Georgia Department of Revenue Sales and Use Tax Division
1800 Century Boulevard NE
Suite 8214
Atlanta, GA 30345
Phone: 404-417-6601
Georgia Department of Revenue Sales and Use Tax Division website
The IRS has a number of publications available upon request to small businesses. One of the most helpful is “Your Business Tax Kit,” which includes data and forms for Federal Employer Identification Number and a tax guide for small businesses that can be ordered by calling Forms and Publications at 800-829-3676 or through a visit to the IRS office.
In Georgia there is a 4 percent sales and use tax which applies to the retail purchase, retail sale, rental, storage, use or consumption of tangible personal property and certain services. In other words, sales tax must be collected on just about every tangible personal property and certain services. Sales tax must also be collected on just about every tangible item sold, except for the exempt categories of prescription drugs, eyeglasses ad contact lenses. A sales tax number is required for each business before opening. The number plus instructions for collection, reporting and remitting the money to the state on a monthly basis can be obtained from here.
- Georgia Department of Labor Adjudication Section, Sussex Place
148 International Boulevard NE
Suite 850
Atlanta, GA 30303-1751
Phone: 404-232-3301
Georgia Department of Labor Adjudication Section website
In addition, some counties have exercised local option issues to increase their sales and use tax to pay for certain projects.
Businesses are required by the state to pay unemployment insurance tax if the company has one or more employees for 20 weeks in a calendar year or it has paid gross wages of $1,500 or more in a calendar quarter. The taxes are payable at a rate of 2.7 percent on the first $8,500 in annual wages of an employee. Unemployment insurance must be reported and returns made to the state.
- State Board of Workers’ Compensation
270 Peachtree Street NW
Atlanta, GA 30303-1299
Phone: 404-656-3875
State Board of Workers’ Compensation website
If a business employs three or more, workers’ compensation insurance must be carried to provide protection to those injured in on-the-job accidents. The State Board of Workers’ Compensation aids people who need claim assistance.
- United States Department of Labor: Wage and Hour Division
Room 7m40
61 Forsyth Street SW
Atlanta, GA 30303
Phone: 404-893-4525
United States Department of Labor website
Virtually all business entities are subject to the federal minimum wage, overtime and child labor laws. Information on these laws and other federal laws pertaining to labor, may be obtained from here.
- Secretary of State, Corporations Division
315 West Tower, Floyd Building
Two Martin Luther King Jr. Drive SE
Atlanta, GA 30334
Phone: 404-656-2817
Secretary of State, Corporations Division website
Incorporating a business allows a firm to take advantage of the limited liability of a corporation. A corporation is usually a taxpayer separate from its owners, unless the company decides it wants to be an “S” corporation for special tax consideration. Contact an attorney or accountant for information on just what each designation can mean to the firm. Legal assistance will be needed to incorporate. Incorporation involves checking with the Secretary of State to see if the name chosen for the business is available. Typed Articles of Incorporation must then be submitted, along with a fee. Additionally, a notice of incorporation must be published in the official legal newspaper for the county. There is also a fee for this printing. Each business must submit a consent from a person who will act as registered agent for service of process on the corporation. This consent must be filed along with the Articles of Incorporation. The articles must name at least three directors, unless the corporation will have two or fewer shareholders.
- Trademarks Section, Secretary of State
Corporations Division, 306 West Tower Floyd Building
Two Martin Luther King Jr. Drive SE
Atlanta, GA30334
Phone: 404-656-2861
Trademarks and service marks may be registered under federal laws or state laws. In Georgia, an application form should be filed, along with a $15 fee and copies of the trademark or service mark. Registration is then good for 10 years. For further information contact the Office of the Secretary of State at:
For federal information contact:
- General Information Services Division
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
Crystal Palace 3, Room 2C02
Washington, DC 20231
Phone: 800-786-9199
General Information Services Division website
Businesses that use any name other than the owner’s name must register this fictitious name with the Superior Clerk's Office as required by the Trade Name Registration Act. This registration requirement does not apply to corporations doing business under their corporate names or to those practicing any profession under a partnership name. For information contact the Clerk of the Superior Court for the county in which the business is located.
Last but not least, if an established business is to be bought, the purchaser must comply with the Bulk Sales Law. This law requires that at least five days before the actual purchase, each creditor must be personally notified of the proposed sale. In counties of more than 200,000 population, this intent must be published at least one time in the county legal newspaper not less than seven days prior to completion of the purchase. An attorney should be consulted about this procedure.
For further information contact:
- Office of the Secretary of State
Suite 315 West Tower
Floyd State Office Towers
2 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive
Atlanta, GA 30334
Phone: 800-656-4558
Phone: 404-656-7061
Phone: 404-657-6380 Fax
Phone: 404-656-2392 TTY Communication
Email First Stop
Office of the Secretary of State website