Georgia State Licensing

Important Points:

• A state business license is required for certain types of businesses in Georgia, while other types require only county and/or city business license.
  • Certain professions also require occupational licenses.

How to Get a Business License in Georgia:

• Register your business entity online and apply for a Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN).
• Visit the Fist Stop Business Information Center to apply for your Georgia state business license.
• For your city and/or county business license in Georgia, determine who regulates business licenses in your county by contacting your local chamber of commerce office.

Georgia State Sales Tax:

• Georgia state sales tax is 4%
  • Prescription drugs, certain medical devices, and groceries are exempt from sales and use tax
  • Local jurisdictions may have additional sales taxes, such as educational local option tax, homestead local tax, or Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority tax
  • Atlanta also collects 1% municipal option sales tax.

Useful Links:

• Starting and Operating a Business in Georgia
• Fist Stop Business Information Center
• Points of Contact For Small Business Entrepreneurs (PDF)
• Georgia Small Business Resources
• SCORE Counselors to America’s Small Business