Georgia Corporation
What is a Georgia Corporation?
A Georgia Corporation is a business formation that can be formed by one or more people by filing the formation paperwork with the Georgia Corporations Division. The Georgia Corporation will be used for various business purposes. Financial transactions, corporation ownership distribution and public offerings are a few examples. There are a few requirements to operate and form a Corporation in Georgia legally.
Georgia Corporation Requirements
- State Filing Fees of $100, plus $50 for your initial report.
- A Registered Agent located in Georgia. See our service here.
- Georgia Transmittal Information Form 227.
- Georgia Articles of Incorporation.
- Beneficial Ownership Information Report filing. Report due after company formation starting January 1, 2024.
Georgia Corporation Structure
GA Corporations are structured legally with the Georgia Articles of Incorporation and the Georgia Transmittal Information Form 227. Like many states, the document for a Corporation formation is short and simple.
The required information to be listed:
- Corporation Name
- Shares
- Registered Agent
- Incorporators
- Mailing Address
Georgia Corporation Name
The exact name of the Corporation must appear on the Articles of Incorporation.
Shares of Stock
The number of shares the Corporation has in stock is to be disclosed. The amount can not be zero and the maximum number of shares the corp can issue without first amending the Articles of Incorporation must be listed.
Registered Agent
Name, street address and county of the Georgia Registered Agent is required for Georgia Corporation filing.
Incorporators
The name and address of each incorporator for the Georgia Corporation will be listed.
Mailing Address
The mailing address of the Principal Office for the GA Corp will be listed as an article in the application. The mailing address can be a PO Box.
How to File a Georgia Corporation
Steps in forming a Georgia Corporation:
- Select a Name for Your Corporation: When selecting a name for your corporation, be aware that your choice must adhere to state law. As well, it cannot already be on file with the Georgia Corporations Division.
- File Articles of Incorporation: To form a corporation in Georgia, you must file Articles of Incorporation with the Corporations Division. Articles can be filed online, in person or by mail. If you are not filing online, you must also include a Data Transmittal Form 227 with your filing. The total filing fee is $100.
- Appoint a Georgia Registered Agent: All business entities are required to appoint and maintain a registered agent within the state. The registered agent accepts service of process on behalf of your company. The purpose of a registered agent is to inform you whenever a lawsuit is brought against your business.
- Write Your Corporate Bylaws: A corporation’s Bylaws are its guiding document. Bylaws determine the initial owners of your company (shareholders) and the management of your corporation. Bylaws are an internal structural document that are not filed with any agency.
- Open Business Bank Accounts: After your incorporate in Georgia, you can open business accounts for your corporation. Most banks will require you to submit copies of your Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws, and an initial resolution authorizing the opening of the accounts.
- File Annual Registration: Within 90 days of incorporation, you must file an initial Annual Registration with the Secretary of State. This can be done online. There is a $50 filing fee. After the initial filing, you must file again each year between January 1 and April 1.
- Submit Beneficial Ownership Information Report: Once your corporation is formed, you must file a BOI report with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network. The report is free to file. You must file online (starting January 1, 2024).
Georgia Incorporation Facts | |
---|---|
The Form | Articles of Incorporation and Data Transmittal Form 227 |
The Filing Fee | $100 |
The Agency | Georgia Corporations Division |
Our Fee | $254 (includes registered agent service) |
Online Filing | Yes |
Annual Registration Due Date | Between January 1 and April 1 |
Annual Registration Fee | $50 |
How Long Does It Take to Process My Filing?
Typically, the Corporations Division will process mailed filings in five to seven business days, although in some cases it may take as long as 12 business days. Online filings are generally processed more quickly. Expediting is $100 more and takes 3 business days.
Do I Have to Issue Shares When I Form a Corporation in Georgia?
Yes. In Georgia, you must state on your Articles of Incorporation how many shares your corporation intends to issue. This number cannot be zero.
What Information Do I Have to Include on My Initial Annual Registration?
The initial Annual Registration must be filed within 90 days of incorporation, and it must list at least three principal officers of your corporation.
Georgia Registered Agent
A Georgia registered agent must provide a physical street address within the state. This is known as a registered office. Service of process (notice of a lawsuit) and other important business mail is delivered to the registered office. The registered agent accepts documents on behalf of clients, contacts clients when documents are accepted, and forward all documents to clients in a timely manner.
Georgia Corporation Annual Registration and Georgia Taxes
After you form a corporation in Georgia, you will be required to file an Annual Registration and pay a $50 filing fee each year. The initial Annual Registration is due within 90 days. After the first filing, the subsequent registrations are due each year between January 1 and April 1.
Georgia has a state corporate tax of 6%.
Federal Beneficial Ownership Information Report Filing
Starting January 1, 2024, most newly-formed corporations are required to file a Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) report with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) following company formation. On your report, you’ll need to disclose some basic details about your company and those with the most control over your corporation’s profits and operations. Save yourself from the additional paperwork with our $25 BOI report filing service.
Why Hire Corporate Filing Solutions to Form Your Georgia Corporation?
Starting your Corporation in Georgia shouldn’t be a hassle or a time consumer. That’s why we offer Filings Made Easy™ to make starting a Corporation in Georgia super easy.
Hire us and relax while our filing experts form your new Georgia Corporation. Our staff will process orders the same business day as they are received. To make things even easier, we bundle the first year of registered agent service and ensure your Georgia Corporation comes fully equipped and ready to do its job.
Start your Corporation in Georgia and get Registered Agent service for as low as $55 a year.