Small Business FAQs

A: Corporations, limited liability companies, and limited partnerships in Georgia are formed by filing with the Corporations Division of the Secretary of State. Some foreign (out-of-state) entities which do business in Georgia also must file with the Corporations Division.

Try these additional resources:

• Corporations Division of the Office of the Secretary of State

A: While there aren’t typically any state grants available for small business startups, there are many lending opportunities including your local banks. We've put together a list of traditional and alternative funding as well as federal loans and grants.

Try these additional resources:

• SBDC Access to Capital
• Traditional and alternative funding ideas
• City of Atlanta loan programs

A: The U.S. government offers several financial aid opportunities for small business owners, including the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program and the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program.

Try these additional resources:

• Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)
• Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR)

A: Get an overview of starting your own business from the Start-Up Basics pdf (listed below) from the Small Business Development Center program at the University of Georgia.

Try these additional resources:

• Start-up Basics
• Start My Business
• Georgia Small Business Development Center

A: Every business needs an operating license, which is obtained from the county or city in which the business resides. Please contact your local business licensing office which is generally housed within city hall. Does my business need a professional license? Licensing is an issue where other state and federal agencies come into play – for instance, day-care centers, USDA for certain food issues, etc. 

Try these additional resources:

• Office of the Secretary of State
• Start My Small Business

A: The Georgia Small Business Development Center provides a wide range of educational services for small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs that can help you get started.

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• Georgia Small Business Development Center

A: The business plan provides focus and direction, sets goals, anticipates actions, keeps score, and helps to sustain the business’s profitability and competitiveness in the  marketplace. The Georgia Small Business Development Center offers a StartSmart program that helps you learn to plan and analyze your vision by creating a researched and tested business plan.

Try these additional resources:

• Georgia Small Business Development Center

A: As a Georgia entrepreneur, there are many resources for mentoring and education programs that can help you and your small business. Get a list of options we recommend from the link below.

Try these additional resources:

• Mentoring and Education
• Connect with women business owners
• Connect with minority business owners
• Learn about youth-oriented programs

A: FranNet provides resources for everything franchise and can help expand your business through franchising, one of the most profitable business models in the world.

Try these additional resources:

• FranNet
• Grow My Small Business

A: The State Bar of Georgia offers an overview of which legal entity is right for your business, but we recommend that you consult a lawyer and/or tax professional in making the decision. Once you've decided, the staff of the Corporations Division of the Secretary of State can assist with the process of formation.

Try these additional resources:

• Which Legal Entity Is Right for Your Business?
• Corporations Division of the Secretary of State

A: The Georgia Small Business Development Center offers a 50-minute webinar that outlines what you need to know to get started in setting up a successful small business.

Try these additional resources:

• Watch the webinar video

A: The Office of the Secretary of State now provides an electronic version of the Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia.

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• Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia

A: The Georgia Small Business Development Center offers a Guide to Health Insurance Options for Small Businesses that explains important facts about health insurance, the basics, alternatives to traditional insurance, and federal and state health insurance regulations.

Try these additional resources:

• Guide to Health Insurance Options for Small Businesses

A: Georgia defines a small business as one that is independently owned and operated and must have either fewer than 300 employees or less than $30 million in gross receipts per year. Georgia does not have a Small Business Enterprise (SBE) designation or certification requirement. However, there are benefits to getting certified.

Try these additional resources:

• Ways to get certified

A: You do not have to register your business with the state of Georgia unless you are planning to incorporate, become a specific legal entity or if you plan to do business with the state, in which case you will need to become a registered vendor through the Department of Administrative Services.

Try these additional resources:

• Department of Administrative Services

A: Learn about Georgia's business-tax types and information on audits, collections, rules and policies, and FAQs from the Department of Revenue.

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• Department of Revenue

A: Employer Identification Numbers are issued for the purpose of tax administration and are not intended for participation in any other activities (e.g., tax lien auction or sales, lotteries, etc.). Learn more about how to apply for yours and tax responsibilities from the Internal Revenue Service.

Try these additional resources:

• Internal Revenue Service

A: WBE (Women Business Enterprise) Certification means that a woman (or women) has a majority ownership and control of a business entity. And the MBE (Minority Business Enterprise) Certification means that a minority (or minorities) has a majority ownership and control of a business entity.

Try these additional resources:

• WBE Certification
• MBE Certification

A: Expand a business in Georgia using the free comprehensive business expansion services provided by the Georgia Department of Economic Development’s regional project managers.

Try these additional resources:

• Learn more about expanding your business

A: Project managers enable an existing business to expand into one of Georgia’s 12 regions by identifying growth opportunities, and then delivering critical business resources and connections to advance and monitor growth over the long term.

Try these additional resources:

• List and map of Georgia project managers

A: School programs or certification courses at Georgia’s technical colleges offer youth entrepreneurship and mentoring programs. You may also check your local chamber of commerce to learn of youth programs within your own community.

Try these additional resources:

• Youth-oriented resources

A: Women are included only if they are a member of a minority race. The following groups are considered minority: African American Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Hispanic/Latino

A: The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) provides a community-based program that helps create an entrepreneur environment, building entrepreneur and small business strategy into the community’s overall economic development strategies. These best practices offer more insight into Georgia’s communities’ efforts.

Try these additional resources:

• Community Initiatives
• Community Initiatives Best Practices 

A: Strategic planning is facilitated to help create long-term, sustainable small business development programs, and professional development and staying abreast of trends, topical news and B2B opportunities are continuous services provided for the “EF” practitioners.

Try these additional resources:

• Key Steps to Becoming "Entrepreneur Friendly"

A: The Georgia Procurement Registry offers a list of Agency Procurement Officers (APOs). You may also contact the Georgia Department of Administrative Services (DOAS) Vendor Relations Administrator at 404-657-6000.

Try these additional resources:

• List of Agency Procurement Officers (APOs)

A: The Georgia Tech Procurement Assistance Center provides assistance with any procurement efforts that may be local, state or federal.

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• Georgia Tech Procurement Assistance Center

A: Depending upon your legal structure (incorporation, LLC, S, etc.), you will have to register with the state.

Try these additional resources:

• The Office of the Secretary of State

A: Competitive opportunities awarded to companies, award amount and complete specifications are posted on the DOAS State Purchasing Web site.

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• DOAS State Purchasing Web site

A: Find a complete list of minority registered vendors is available from the Georgia Department of Administrative Services Vendor Registration System. Click on the category for Agencies, and use the search feature to locate the registered vendors.

Try these additional resources:

• Georgia Department of Administrative Services Vendor Registration System

A: New Vendor Orientation from the Georgia Department of Administrative Services features information on how to register, certify and market your business to state government. These seminars are held at 200 Piedmont Avenue, Suite 1816 in the West Tower and are held monthly.

Try these additional resources:

• Georgia Department of Administrative Services

A: Georgia law gives an incentive to companies to hire certified minority subcontractors by giving them a tax break – 10% of payments up to $100,000. Please contact the Georgia Department of Revenue at 404-417-2399 for additional information.

Try these additional resources:

• Georgia Department of Revenue