Starting a new business may start with an idea you’re passionate about or an unmet need you’ve discovered. But getting from idea to fully-launched business can be a frustrating, overly complex process!
You end up making tons of decisions about all sorts of things outside your areas of expertise and that have little to do with the business’s actual mission. One of the first you’ll encounter is deciding how (and where) to structure your new company. Should you form an LLC? A corporation, partnership, sole proprietorship? And is Georgia the right place to register your new company?
For most entrepreneurs and small business owners, an LLC is the right place to start (though we certainly recommend speaking with a tax professional or getting legal advice before deciding). And Georgia is a great place to set up your LLC, thanks to favorable business taxes, job creation credits, access to talent, capital, and more.
Setting up an LLC is a smart decision for just about every entrepreneur and startup. But why Georgia?
The state offers numerous advantages to those who choose LLC formation — even for entrepreneurs and founders who don’t call the Peach State home.
First, setting up a limited liability company (LLC) is a good idea (regardless of which state you live in or where you locate your business) because it can protect you and your assets.
As a sole proprietor, you and your business aren’t considered legally distinct entities. If your business suffers major losses, whether through a lawsuit or a shift in the economic winds, your personal assets could be at stake to cover business liabilities or business debts. That means lawyers and bankers could come after your car, your home, or even your personal savings!
Imagine you’re working toward opening a bakery. For now, you’re still operating out of your home (something you can do in Georgia with a Cottage Food License). You deliver an order to an upscale neighborhood… and accidentally back into a high-end sportscar in the client’s driveway.
It’s a bad day for your business — but it’s a much worse day if that client comes after you for more money because of personal liability. With a Georgia limited liability company, you’d enjoy limited personal liability, which is limited to the business itself. Without one, just about anything else you own could be fair game.
Creating an LLC in Georgia delivers significant tax benefits compared to other states. There is no state-level franchise tax in Georgia, which is advantageous compared to states that charge a franchise tax on LLCs doing business in the state (for context: California’s is $800, while Delaware’s is $300).
LLCs in Georgia are also taxed as a pass-through entity if you elect to be taxed as a sole proprietorship, general or limited partnership, or S Corporation. This means that by law this type of business doesn’t pay taxes directly on corporate income; instead, that income passes through to the members of the LLC, who report that income to the IRS as part of their normal personal tax returns.
For small businesses and single-member LLCs, pass-through taxation is generally preferable because of its simplicity and the avoidance of double taxation.
Be aware that if you choose the pass-through approach you’ll still need to file federal taxes (self-employment taxes), and you’ll need to pay the state individual income tax rate on this income. Still, this is generally a desirable approach for small LLCs because the Georgia process is simpler than in some other states. It also avoids the net worth tax, something that applies to corporations with a net worth of $100,000 or more.
If you’re considering relocating regionally, it’s worth considering how Georgia compares to its neighbors. Florida doesn’t have a state income tax, but has fewer business incentives (such as credits for creating new jobs) and a more complicated LLC formation process. South Carolina offers a similar new job credit, but the capital markets and overall business opportunities are arguably lesser in the Palmetto State.
LLCs offer much more flexibility in terms of management and ownership, something that is crucial in a business’s early days and continues to be beneficial throughout the early stages of growth.
LLCs can be single-member business entities or have multiple members who share profits and risks, and beyond that, there isn’t much in terms of restrictions in the state of Georgia. All you have to do is apply with the Georgia Secretary of State, choose a business name, set up your articles of incorporation, and you’re ready to go!
Compared to C corporations, this simplicity is refreshing: as a C corp, you’ll need a board of directors, formal governance and management structure, and much more complex tax compliance.
Georgia makes it especially easy to register an LLC in the state using any business address (including a virtual address), with a quick online filing process and low fees. Getting started as a Georgia business is simple, and ongoing maintenance is, too. The state has minimal compliance requirements for LLCs, reducing your administrative burden compared to what you’d need to deal with as a corporation.
Georgia might not be the first state that comes to mind when you think of business powerhouses, but not every business can or should operate in Manhattan or Silicon Valley. If operating regionally in the South (or even registering there, no matter where you physically work), the state has a lot to offer.
Georgia is home to the Atlanta metro — the largest economic hub in the South. Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport makes it easy to get to and from just about anywhere, and the coastal ports in Savannah and Brunswick are advantageous for businesses moving goods by ship.
There’s also the question of funding. While Atlanta doesn’t have near the VC activity of New York, Delaware, or California, it’s solidly near the head of the pack in the southeastern USA, with 200–300 VC deals executed in the state annually for roughly the last decade.
Like all states, Georgia wants to see more jobs created in the state. If you have plans for your LLC to grow, Georgia will compensate you for creating jobs in the form of tax credits that range from $1,250 to $4,000 annually per new job.
Yes, Georgia has some limitations or disadvantages:
However, state taxes can be offset by business credits (like the new job credit), and business loans are another funding option.
For many entrepreneurs, Georgia is the perfect place to establish their business: with low filing fees, streamlined business formation processes, and relatively low cost of living compared to the available economic opportunities, the state is a growing destination for new businesses.
Forming an LLC in Georgia requires a business address in the state, even if your business doesn’t need or have a physical office or location. A virtual address is the ideal solution for obtaining a professional business address in Atlanta, whether you live in the city or not.
Stable is a trusted provider of premium virtual business addresses, with availability in Atlanta. Stable makes it easy to switch your business address or to get set up from scratch. Once you’re set up with Stable, you can view and access your mail digitally and use your new virtual address for legal and tax purposes. Plus, with registered agent services available in all 50 states, you won’t have to worry about compliance if you live elsewhere.
Get started with Stable today!
Starting a new business may start with an idea you’re passionate about or an unmet need you’ve discovered. But getting from idea to fully-launched business can be a frustrating, overly complex process!
You end up making tons of decisions about all sorts of things outside your areas of expertise and that have little to do with the business’s actual mission. One of the first you’ll encounter is deciding how (and where) to structure your new company. Should you form an LLC? A corporation, partnership, sole proprietorship? And is Georgia the right place to register your new company?
For most entrepreneurs and small business owners, an LLC is the right place to start (though we certainly recommend speaking with a tax professional or getting legal advice before deciding). And Georgia is a great place to set up your LLC, thanks to favorable business taxes, job creation credits, access to talent, capital, and more.
Setting up an LLC is a smart decision for just about every entrepreneur and startup. But why Georgia?
The state offers numerous advantages to those who choose LLC formation — even for entrepreneurs and founders who don’t call the Peach State home.
First, setting up a limited liability company (LLC) is a good idea (regardless of which state you live in or where you locate your business) because it can protect you and your assets.
As a sole proprietor, you and your business aren’t considered legally distinct entities. If your business suffers major losses, whether through a lawsuit or a shift in the economic winds, your personal assets could be at stake to cover business liabilities or business debts. That means lawyers and bankers could come after your car, your home, or even your personal savings!
Imagine you’re working toward opening a bakery. For now, you’re still operating out of your home (something you can do in Georgia with a Cottage Food License). You deliver an order to an upscale neighborhood… and accidentally back into a high-end sportscar in the client’s driveway.
It’s a bad day for your business — but it’s a much worse day if that client comes after you for more money because of personal liability. With a Georgia limited liability company, you’d enjoy limited personal liability, which is limited to the business itself. Without one, just about anything else you own could be fair game.
Creating an LLC in Georgia delivers significant tax benefits compared to other states. There is no state-level franchise tax in Georgia, which is advantageous compared to states that charge a franchise tax on LLCs doing business in the state (for context: California’s is $800, while Delaware’s is $300).
LLCs in Georgia are also taxed as a pass-through entity if you elect to be taxed as a sole proprietorship, general or limited partnership, or S Corporation. This means that by law this type of business doesn’t pay taxes directly on corporate income; instead, that income passes through to the members of the LLC, who report that income to the IRS as part of their normal personal tax returns.
For small businesses and single-member LLCs, pass-through taxation is generally preferable because of its simplicity and the avoidance of double taxation.
Be aware that if you choose the pass-through approach you’ll still need to file federal taxes (self-employment taxes), and you’ll need to pay the state individual income tax rate on this income. Still, this is generally a desirable approach for small LLCs because the Georgia process is simpler than in some other states. It also avoids the net worth tax, something that applies to corporations with a net worth of $100,000 or more.
If you’re considering relocating regionally, it’s worth considering how Georgia compares to its neighbors. Florida doesn’t have a state income tax, but has fewer business incentives (such as credits for creating new jobs) and a more complicated LLC formation process. South Carolina offers a similar new job credit, but the capital markets and overall business opportunities are arguably lesser in the Palmetto State.
LLCs offer much more flexibility in terms of management and ownership, something that is crucial in a business’s early days and continues to be beneficial throughout the early stages of growth.
LLCs can be single-member business entities or have multiple members who share profits and risks, and beyond that, there isn’t much in terms of restrictions in the state of Georgia. All you have to do is apply with the Georgia Secretary of State, choose a business name, set up your articles of incorporation, and you’re ready to go!
Compared to C corporations, this simplicity is refreshing: as a C corp, you’ll need a board of directors, formal governance and management structure, and much more complex tax compliance.
Georgia makes it especially easy to register an LLC in the state using any business address (including a virtual address), with a quick online filing process and low fees. Getting started as a Georgia business is simple, and ongoing maintenance is, too. The state has minimal compliance requirements for LLCs, reducing your administrative burden compared to what you’d need to deal with as a corporation.
Georgia might not be the first state that comes to mind when you think of business powerhouses, but not every business can or should operate in Manhattan or Silicon Valley. If operating regionally in the South (or even registering there, no matter where you physically work), the state has a lot to offer.
Georgia is home to the Atlanta metro — the largest economic hub in the South. Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport makes it easy to get to and from just about anywhere, and the coastal ports in Savannah and Brunswick are advantageous for businesses moving goods by ship.
There’s also the question of funding. While Atlanta doesn’t have near the VC activity of New York, Delaware, or California, it’s solidly near the head of the pack in the southeastern USA, with 200–300 VC deals executed in the state annually for roughly the last decade.
Like all states, Georgia wants to see more jobs created in the state. If you have plans for your LLC to grow, Georgia will compensate you for creating jobs in the form of tax credits that range from $1,250 to $4,000 annually per new job.
Yes, Georgia has some limitations or disadvantages:
However, state taxes can be offset by business credits (like the new job credit), and business loans are another funding option.
For many entrepreneurs, Georgia is the perfect place to establish their business: with low filing fees, streamlined business formation processes, and relatively low cost of living compared to the available economic opportunities, the state is a growing destination for new businesses.
Forming an LLC in Georgia requires a business address in the state, even if your business doesn’t need or have a physical office or location. A virtual address is the ideal solution for obtaining a professional business address in Atlanta, whether you live in the city or not.
Stable is a trusted provider of premium virtual business addresses, with availability in Atlanta. Stable makes it easy to switch your business address or to get set up from scratch. Once you’re set up with Stable, you can view and access your mail digitally and use your new virtual address for legal and tax purposes. Plus, with registered agent services available in all 50 states, you won’t have to worry about compliance if you live elsewhere.
Get started with Stable today!
Starting a new business may start with an idea you’re passionate about or an unmet need you’ve discovered. But getting from idea to fully-launched business can be a frustrating, overly complex process!
You end up making tons of decisions about all sorts of things outside your areas of expertise and that have little to do with the business’s actual mission. One of the first you’ll encounter is deciding how (and where) to structure your new company. Should you form an LLC? A corporation, partnership, sole proprietorship? And is Georgia the right place to register your new company?
For most entrepreneurs and small business owners, an LLC is the right place to start (though we certainly recommend speaking with a tax professional or getting legal advice before deciding). And Georgia is a great place to set up your LLC, thanks to favorable business taxes, job creation credits, access to talent, capital, and more.
Setting up an LLC is a smart decision for just about every entrepreneur and startup. But why Georgia?
The state offers numerous advantages to those who choose LLC formation — even for entrepreneurs and founders who don’t call the Peach State home.
First, setting up a limited liability company (LLC) is a good idea (regardless of which state you live in or where you locate your business) because it can protect you and your assets.
As a sole proprietor, you and your business aren’t considered legally distinct entities. If your business suffers major losses, whether through a lawsuit or a shift in the economic winds, your personal assets could be at stake to cover business liabilities or business debts. That means lawyers and bankers could come after your car, your home, or even your personal savings!
Imagine you’re working toward opening a bakery. For now, you’re still operating out of your home (something you can do in Georgia with a Cottage Food License). You deliver an order to an upscale neighborhood… and accidentally back into a high-end sportscar in the client’s driveway.
It’s a bad day for your business — but it’s a much worse day if that client comes after you for more money because of personal liability. With a Georgia limited liability company, you’d enjoy limited personal liability, which is limited to the business itself. Without one, just about anything else you own could be fair game.
Creating an LLC in Georgia delivers significant tax benefits compared to other states. There is no state-level franchise tax in Georgia, which is advantageous compared to states that charge a franchise tax on LLCs doing business in the state (for context: California’s is $800, while Delaware’s is $300).
LLCs in Georgia are also taxed as a pass-through entity if you elect to be taxed as a sole proprietorship, general or limited partnership, or S Corporation. This means that by law this type of business doesn’t pay taxes directly on corporate income; instead, that income passes through to the members of the LLC, who report that income to the IRS as part of their normal personal tax returns.
For small businesses and single-member LLCs, pass-through taxation is generally preferable because of its simplicity and the avoidance of double taxation.
Be aware that if you choose the pass-through approach you’ll still need to file federal taxes (self-employment taxes), and you’ll need to pay the state individual income tax rate on this income. Still, this is generally a desirable approach for small LLCs because the Georgia process is simpler than in some other states. It also avoids the net worth tax, something that applies to corporations with a net worth of $100,000 or more.
If you’re considering relocating regionally, it’s worth considering how Georgia compares to its neighbors. Florida doesn’t have a state income tax, but has fewer business incentives (such as credits for creating new jobs) and a more complicated LLC formation process. South Carolina offers a similar new job credit, but the capital markets and overall business opportunities are arguably lesser in the Palmetto State.
LLCs offer much more flexibility in terms of management and ownership, something that is crucial in a business’s early days and continues to be beneficial throughout the early stages of growth.
LLCs can be single-member business entities or have multiple members who share profits and risks, and beyond that, there isn’t much in terms of restrictions in the state of Georgia. All you have to do is apply with the Georgia Secretary of State, choose a business name, set up your articles of incorporation, and you’re ready to go!
Compared to C corporations, this simplicity is refreshing: as a C corp, you’ll need a board of directors, formal governance and management structure, and much more complex tax compliance.
Georgia makes it especially easy to register an LLC in the state using any business address (including a virtual address), with a quick online filing process and low fees. Getting started as a Georgia business is simple, and ongoing maintenance is, too. The state has minimal compliance requirements for LLCs, reducing your administrative burden compared to what you’d need to deal with as a corporation.
Georgia might not be the first state that comes to mind when you think of business powerhouses, but not every business can or should operate in Manhattan or Silicon Valley. If operating regionally in the South (or even registering there, no matter where you physically work), the state has a lot to offer.
Georgia is home to the Atlanta metro — the largest economic hub in the South. Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport makes it easy to get to and from just about anywhere, and the coastal ports in Savannah and Brunswick are advantageous for businesses moving goods by ship.
There’s also the question of funding. While Atlanta doesn’t have near the VC activity of New York, Delaware, or California, it’s solidly near the head of the pack in the southeastern USA, with 200–300 VC deals executed in the state annually for roughly the last decade.
Like all states, Georgia wants to see more jobs created in the state. If you have plans for your LLC to grow, Georgia will compensate you for creating jobs in the form of tax credits that range from $1,250 to $4,000 annually per new job.
Yes, Georgia has some limitations or disadvantages:
However, state taxes can be offset by business credits (like the new job credit), and business loans are another funding option.
For many entrepreneurs, Georgia is the perfect place to establish their business: with low filing fees, streamlined business formation processes, and relatively low cost of living compared to the available economic opportunities, the state is a growing destination for new businesses.
Forming an LLC in Georgia requires a business address in the state, even if your business doesn’t need or have a physical office or location. A virtual address is the ideal solution for obtaining a professional business address in Atlanta, whether you live in the city or not.
Stable is a trusted provider of premium virtual business addresses, with availability in Atlanta. Stable makes it easy to switch your business address or to get set up from scratch. Once you’re set up with Stable, you can view and access your mail digitally and use your new virtual address for legal and tax purposes. Plus, with registered agent services available in all 50 states, you won’t have to worry about compliance if you live elsewhere.
Get started with Stable today!
