Licenses and permits to open a retail store in Atlanta

1. 1

   Application for Employer Identification Number (EIN)

   Internal Revenue ServiceUS federal

   Owners with an SSN or ITIN apply online. A company whose responsible party has neither (most China-based owners) faxes or mails Form SS-4, or calls the IRS international line.

   Fee

   Free

   Filed

   Paper form, faxed or mailed

   Takes

   Fax: about 4 business days. Mail: about 4 to 5 weeks. Phone: issued on the call.

   File on the agency's siteHow to fill it

2. 2

   LLC formation

   Georgia Secretary of State, CorporationsGA

   Form the LLC or register a foreign company online.

   Fee

   Varies

   Filed

   Filed online

   File on the agency's siteHow to fill it

3. 3

   Sales tax registration

   Georgia Department of RevenueGA

   Register for sales and withholding tax online.

   Fee

   Free

   Filed

   Filed online

   Takes

   After registering online in the Georgia Tax Center, you should get your tax account number by email within 15 minutes.

   File on the agency's siteHow to fill it

4. 4

   Atlanta business license

   City of Atlanta, Department of Finance, Office of RevenueAtlanta

   Every business location inside city limits registers. Apply on the city's ATLBiz portal with a government photo ID, the articles of incorporation, notarized SAVE and E-Verify affidavits and the EIN; the city runs the zoning review itself, and some kinds of business also upload a regulatory permit.

   Fee

   Varies

   Filed

   Filed on the agency's portal

   Takes

   Atlanta doesn't publish how long a new license takes; the zoning review is done inside the city as part of the application.

   Renews

   Every year: the certificate expires December 31; renew on ATLBiz from January 1 to February 15 ($500 late filing fee) and pay by April 1.

   File on the agency's siteHow to fill it

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<div class="placetta-checklist"><p><strong>Licenses and permits to open a retail store in Atlanta</strong></p><ol><li>Application for Employer Identification Number (EIN) (Internal Revenue Service)</li><li>LLC formation (Georgia Secretary of State, Corporations)</li><li>Sales tax registration (Georgia Department of Revenue)</li><li>Atlanta business license (City of Atlanta, Department of Finance, Office of Revenue)</li></ol><p>Source: <a href="https://placetta.com/guides/atlanta/retail-store.html">Placetta license guide</a></p></div>Copy the code

More on opening in Atlanta

• How much permits cost to open in Atlanta
• How long permits take in Atlanta
• Opening in Atlanta as a foreign company
• Importing goods into Atlanta
• Renewals and annual filings in Atlanta

Questions people ask

• How do I get an EIN without an SSN or ITIN?
• How long does it take to get an EIN?
• Does a foreign-owned single-member LLC have to file Form 5472?
• How do I become an importer of record in the US?
• How does a foreign owner get an ITIN?
• Does a single-member LLC with no employees need an EIN?

Other businesses in Atlanta

• Milk tea and bubble tea shops
• Coffee shops
• Restaurants
• Hot pot restaurants
• Bakeries
• Dessert shops
• Grocery stores
• Cosmetics stores
• Toy stores
• Importers and online sellers
• Warehouses and 3PLs

Agency requirements change. Check each agency's page before you file.