Start Your LLC in Georgia with Inc Authority

While not a legal mandate, creating a comprehensive business plan is the most crucial step involved in forming an LLC in Georgia. A well-written plan helps you identify your goals, potential challenges, and strategies to overcome them.

Fortunately, Inc Authority offers professional assistance to help you write a successful business plan for your LLC in Georgia. Its team of experienced experts does the research and prepares the complete business and financial plan.

Starting with a name search is a crucial first step when forming an LLC in Georgia. The name of your LLC in Georgia should not be more than 80 characters and contain the words limited company, limited liability company, LLC, or LC.

If you want to use words like surety, insurance, fidelity, etc., you must obtain approval from the respective authorities. Inc Authority’s free business name search tool makes it easy to check if the business name is available in Georgia.

If you are not ready to register your LLC immediately, you can reserve the name of your LLC in Georgia with the Secretary of State. The name will be reserved for 30 days in Georgia, unlike other states that have a 120-day reservation period.

You need to pay a filing fee of $25 while filing online and a fee of $35 for filing via email. The processing time is 7 days for online applications and 15 days for email applications. You can also expedite the process by paying an additional fee.

A Registered Agent acts as your LLC’s ‘mailbox’ and receives the business and legal documents on behalf of your LLC in Georgia. According to Georgia’s law, LLCs have to appoint a Registered Agent with a physical mailing address in the state. 

While Registered Agent services cost $249 or more with other business formation services, you can get the Registered Agent services for free for the first year with Inc Authority’s free LLC formation package and the paid packages.

A valid email address is typically required when forming an LLC in Georgia. The Secretary of State’s office will communicate important updates, notices, and reminders, such as the status of LLC filing, or other follow-up actions.

Inc Authority offers 5 business email addresses in addition to a web domain in both its Startup and Fast Track packages. This allows LLC owners a convenient way to stay up-to-date and informed about the status of their LLCs in Georgia.

Your LLC in Georgia is not considered a legal entity until you file the Articles of Organization. There are three ways of filing this document with the Georgia Secretary of State, including e-filing, paper filing online, and by mail.

The filing fee is $100 for both paper and electronic filing methods. When sending the documents by mail, you need to pay a fee of $110. Inc Authority will prepare and file all these documents at no extra cost apart from the state filing fee.

To form an LLC in Georgia, there is an additional form you need to submit with your Articles of Organization, known as the Transmittal form with the Secretary of State. This is a form that all business entities in Georgia are required to file.

The fields to fill in this form include the name, the primary email address of your LLC in Georgia, the Registered Agent’s email address, and your signature. Thankfully, Inc Authority offers custom state filing of papers to help you stay compliant.

When forming an LLC in Georgia, you may need to file a Doing Business As (DBA) if you plan to conduct business under an assumed name that is different from your LLC’s legal name. Many businesses opt for a DBA for branding purposes.

To do this, you need to fill out and submit the Trade Name Application and other forms specific to the county where your business is located. You should also publish the DBA once a week in the local newspaper for two consecutive weeks.

If you intend to hire employees or are registering for sales tax, you will need to obtain an EIN (federal Employer Identification Number). It is also required to open a business bank account and to apply for business loans and lines of credit.

You will need to visit the IRS (Internal Revenue Service) website to apply for the EIN online. Inc Authority offers EIN application services to make the process hassle-free and quick. This service is offered as part of the free LLC formation package.

Your LLC in Georgia may need several permits and licenses from local agencies, the state, and from Federal agencies, depending on the business activities. Some businesses, such as restaurants serving alcohol, also need regulatory permits.

Given the long list of permits and licenses specific to different types of businesses, it can be challenging to learn which licenses you need. Fortunately, you can get accurate advice on licenses your LLC in Georgia requires from Inc Authority.

A Georgia LLC operating agreement helps establish clear guidelines and expectations for how your business will be managed and strategic decisions will be made, and what will be the roles and responsibilities of LLC members.

Taking the time to create an operating agreement can be one of the most important steps toward starting an LLC in Georgia. LLC experts at Inc Authority will prepare this document accurately as per your company’s requirements.

While an LLC in Georgia is not required by law to open a business bank account, it is generally recommended to have a separate bank account. It also makes it easier to track your business expenses while simplifying tax preparation.

A business bank account also helps establish the LLC as a separate legal entity and enhances its professional image. Inc Authority’s 100% free LLC formation package gives you access to a free Bank of America checking account.

While having a business website is not a mandatory requirement to form your LLC in Georgia, creating one can be advantageous for your business. A compelling website can help you capture more leads and convert them into customers.

In addition to email addresses and a domain, Inc Authority also connects you with dedicated website designers and marketing specialists. They work with you to create a custom website that ranks high in search engines to attract visitors.

Georgia LLCs are required to renew their registration by filing an annual registration with the Georgia Secretary of State office. This is to confirm and update the company’s information, such as the Registered Agent or company address.

Failing to comply with these requirements can result in your LLC getting revoked or administratively dissolved. Compliance notifications from Inc Authority help your LLC in Georgia meet the annual registration and other state filing requirements.

Inc Authority’s free package is a popular choice as it comes with a range of value adds, such as free Registered Agent services, tax consultation, and more. 

• Business Name Search: The free business name check tool is easy to use. Once you key in the chosen name for your LLC in Georgia, the tool conducts a preliminary search in the state’s database to confirm the availability. 
• Filing the Articles of Organization: Once the name search is complete, Inc Authority will prepare the Articles of Organization. Their team will review the documents and will then file them with the Georgia Secretary of State.
• Tax Consultation: The 1-hour free tax planning consultation is especially helpful for new business owners who may not be familiar with tax laws and regulations in Georgia. A tax expert is available to answer all your queries.
• Registered Agent: Inc Authority offers free Registered Agent service for the first year. Choosing Inc Authority is a great way to save on the costs of appointing a reliable Registered Agent service provider in Georgia.
• Digital Storage: The free LLC package of Inc Authority includes digital document storage and delivery. Owners can access their documents, such as operating agreements, via a secure online portal from anywhere.
• S-Corp Formation: Inc Authority offers the service of preparing and filing the documents for S-Corp formation for free in its LLC package. This includes preparing and filing Form 2553 with the IRS in the stipulated time.
• Funding and Credit Assistance: Inc Authority connects you with business credit and funding experts who will review your financing needs in detail. You can get insights into the different types of funding available to you.
• INC Care Support: Dedicated customer support is part of the free plan that is rated highly on review sites. US-based businesses get 24/7 live support, in addition to email and phone support for quick problem resolution.

Price: Free

The Starter Bundle is one of the premium service bundles that Inc Authority offers. The plan includes everything in the free LLC package in addition to these services.

• Initial Meeting Minutes: Inc Authority prepares initial meeting minutes based on the specific requirements of your company’s operating agreement. The resolutions and decisions taken are also accurately recorded. 
• Custom Filing of Articles: The specific filing requirements and documents can vary by state. Inc Authority ensures the relevant documents, such as the Transmittal Information Form, are filed for your LLC in Georgia.
• Annual Compliance Notifications: Every LLC in Georgia needs to file a registration fee annually in addition to reporting on wages. Inc Authority’s compliance notifications ensure you don’t miss these deadlines.
• Website Domain: Apart from business formation services, Inc Authority offers comprehensive business services that are valuable for startups, such as web domain and hosting services provided by third-party providers.
• 5 Business Emails: Individual users and small business teams can leverage professional email accounts that come with calendar syncing, unified inbox,  secure cloud storage, shared contacts, and spam protection.
• Deluxe Record Book: Inc Authority offers a Deluxe Record Book along with a custom embossed seal. This helps you maintain and organize key documents, such as the LLC operating agreement and contracts.
• Operating Agreement: You can rely on Inc Authority’s LLC formation experts to create custom your LLC operating agreement that explain the roles and responsibilities of each member.
• Corporate Forms Package: Inc Authority provides a corporate forms package customized for your LLC’s needs. You will get customizable templates and help drafting different types of documents.
• EIN/Tax ID Number: Inc Authority can help you obtain an Employer Identification Number (EIN) or Tax ID Number for your business, which is required for tax purposes and other business purposes.

Price: Custom

While the Fasttrack bundle includes all the features of the Starter package, it offers additional services such as fast filing and personalized business advice.

• Private Banking Specialist: Inc Authority connects you with a banking expert who analyzes your LLC’s financial requirements to make custom recommendations that are aligned with your investment needs.
• Expedited Filing: Inc Authority submits your papers within 24 hours of receiving your order to Georgia Secretary of State. The rush hour service they offer helps you form an LLC in Georgia quickly and easily.
• Personalized Business Advice: Inc Authority’s business advisors understand your specific needs and goals before offering insights and recommendations, removing the stress from business formation.
• INC Success Advisor Package: A business expert offers insights on all aspects of setting up and running your business including funding, credit, accounting, and more. This service is available for the first year.

These services can also be purchased individually as add ons if you opt for the Starter Bundle.

Price: Custom

• Business Plan: Inc Authority offers tailored business advice apart from preparation of business plan that includes research, market analysis, and more, designed to maximize the chances of raising capital.
• Federal trademark: In addition to 24-hour e-filing of trademark application, the service includes an expanded search of all databases. It also includes trademark monitoring and guidance from a trademark specialist.
• Website and Marketing: You can benefit from the comprehensive marketing services offered by Inc Authority, such as website design, search engine optimized content, logo design, business cards, and location listing.
• Business Credit: A credit coach works with you to ensure you get an A+ credit rating in 90 days apart from access to working capital, credit lines, and loans. You also get access to an updated list of credit vendors.
• Business Funding: This service is designed to optimize funding approval rates. Your Georgia LLC can get assistance with meeting funding application compliance apart from a personal consultation with underwriters.
• Revocable Living Trust: Inc Authority assists individuals in creating a Revocable Living Trust, last will, instruction letter for transferring assets, and both general and healthcare Power of Attorney for couples.

Price: Custom