Setting up a new business in Georgia is the first step.It is very easy to incorporate in Georgia.The Office of Secretary of State in Georgia suggests that you get legal advice to incorporate your business.
Step 1: For your business, choose the best legal structure.
A corporation is not the best decision if you want to operate a business.There are legal options for a business operation in Georgia.A corporation can exist for profit, non-profit, or as a professional corporation.The main reason for incorporating is to separate yourself and your personal assets from the obligations of the business.The company is limited liability.You can report the income of the business in your own tax return.It limits personal liability in the way a corporation does.They were sole proprietors.It's convenient if you operate the business on your own.All profits and losses are reported on your tax returns.You are responsible for all of the business's obligations.There is a partnership.A partnership is a type of business that has more than one person operating it.The partners receive their share of the income and assume the company's obligations.Personal tax returns report all income and losses.
Step 2: Determine the name of your business.
Your new corporation needs a name after you incorporate.Georgia law requires that your business name bedistinguishable from other existing corporations.You can reserve a name online at the ecorp.sos.ga.gov.You can pay the application fee with a credit card.You can download the name reservation form and mail it in with the $25 payment.You have 30 days to complete the remaining steps after you reserve your name.The name is no longer reserved after 30 days.
Step 3: There are three officers for your corporation.
You must register with the Secretary of State within 90 days after filing your Articles of Incorporation.Three officers of your corporation must be identified on this form.$50 is the filing fee for this report.The report can be filed through the Georgia Corporations Division website.
Step 4: You should give a notice of intent to incorporate.
In Georgia, a notice of intent in the newspaper is the official legal organ of the county where the business is located.There is a list of official newspapers at www.gsccca.org/clerks.It must be filed no later than the day after you file your Articles of Incorporation.The notice can be a simple letter that reads, "Dear publisher, Please publish once a week, for two consecutive weeks, a notice in the following form: Notice is given that articles of incorporation that will incorporate (name of corporation) have been delivered to the Secretary of State for filing inThe initial registered agent is the name of the corporation.If you are filing as a non-profit corporation, you must still publish the notice of incorporation.The Georgia Non-Profit Corporation Code will be referred to in the notice.
Step 5: The IRS has an employer identification number.
It's possible that you don't need an EIN to operate your business.The IRS has a website at www.irs.ustreas.gov.
Step 6: Understand how the Articles of Incorporation work.
Georgia law states that the Articles of Incorporation must have minimal information.The minimums for the Articles of Incorporation are set by the law.If you want to include more, you need to consult with legal counsel.
Step 7: The corporation's name should be listed.
You previously said that this must be the same name.A clear indication that the business is a corporation is what the name must include.
Step 8: The number of shares to be issued should be reported.
The number of shares that the corporation will be authorized to issue must be included in the Articles of Incorporation.This doesn't need to be a number that is being issued immediately.You may need legal counsel on certain issues.Each class of stock shares has its own rights and privileges.One class of shares may have voting rights while another does not.The number of shares in each class needs to be defined in the Articles of Incorporation.
Step 9: Do you know if a non-profit corporation will have members?
This is only for non-profit corporations.A non-profit corporation can have members who have voting rights.If you intend to define membership in your Articles of Incorporation, you must report how many members are anticipated.
Step 10: Provide the street address of the registered office.
The legal address is where the corporation will receive mail.It is possible that it is not the same address as the actual location of the business.
Step 11: A registered agent works at the office.
Every corporation has to have a registered agent.The agent can be either an officer or an incorporator of the corporation.The agent needs to be known to receive legal notices and mail for the corporation.
Step 12: Give the name and address of the incorporator.
The incorporators may not be officers of the corporation.These are people who have been involved in the preparation of the Articles of Incorporation.Each incorporator's personal addresses must be included.
Step 13: The mailing address is for the principal office.
The actual operations of the corporation take place in the principal office.This may be different from the registered address.
Step 14: You can visit the Georgia Corporations Division website.
Links to a wide variety of useful information for doing business in Georgia can be found on the official website.Your submission will be checked for completeness as you go through the process, so electronic filing is a good idea.If your information is incomplete, you won't be able to file.
Step 15: To begin your filing, select online services.
There are many options to choose from.You can choose the button for online services if you want to be a filing.
Step 16: Your log-in information will be entered.
You will be prompted to create an account if you are on the Corporations Division website for the first time.You can simply enter your log-in ID and password if you have already created an account.You will be asked for your name, address, and email address if you are creating a new account.You will be asked to choose a log-in ID name and password.
Step 17: At the Online Services screen, select "create or register a business."
You will be taken to the Online Services dashboard screen after you create your account.There are 20 different options for the next steps.Click on the button to create or register a business.
Step 18: You can choose to create a new business or register an out-of-state business.
If this is a new corporation and you want to do business in Georgia, you can choose to register a foreign business.
Step 19: The remaining information is needed to register your business.
The next screen will prompt you to enter the information contained in your Articles of Incorporation.As possible, answer the questions.
Step 20: For accuracy, review your submissions.
You will see a final version of your information after you have answered all the questions.Before making the final submission, review it for accuracy.Your Articles of Incorporation will be made of this.If any errors are identified, you will be able to amend the filing later.
Step 21: The filing fee is paid.
After your information is verified, you will be asked to pay the filing fee with a credit card.There is a filing fee.
Step 22: Receive your certificate of formation.
Your corporation is eligible to operate in Georgia if your submission has been accepted and filed by the Georgia Corporations Division.Within five to seven business days after you submit your articles online, you will receive an email that your filing has been accepted.You should keep a copy of that email in your official records.
Step 23: The Articles of Incorporation should be prepared in the proper format.
If you want to submit a paper copy of the Articles of Incorporation, you need to type the information on the 8 1/2 x 11 inch paper.Each piece of information should be listed as a separate article in the document.
Step 24: Go to the website and sign the articles.
If one of the incorporators or the corporation's attorney is identified, the articles must be signed by all of them.You have to identify the signing capacity of the individual under the signature.
Step 25: The Data Transmittal Form 227 needs to be prepared.
You have to submit this cover page with your Articles of Incorporation.It is a cover sheet for your filing and contains information about your corporation.You can get a copy of Form 227 here.
Step 26: Mail your Articles of Incorporation with Form 227.
The Georgia Corporations Division is located at 2 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive SE, Suite 313 West Tower, Atlanta, Georgia.The original and one copy of the Articles of Incorporation are required.
Step 27: The fee needs to be submitted.
The paperwork will be returned if you don't have the proper filing fee.For a new business, the fee is $100.
Step 28: Receive your certificate.
Your corporation is eligible to operate in Georgia if your paperwork has been accepted and filed by the Georgia Corporations Division.In some cases, it may take up to two weeks, but you should receive this within five to seven business days.