Best C-Corp Formation Services in Georgia

Georgia business owners should choose a unique name for their C-Corp. You can check the availability of your preferred business name by searching Georgia’s C-Corp business name database. You can also reserve your name online for 30 days.

As per Georgia law, the name shouldn’t be longer than 80 characters and must end with the terms “Corporation,” “Incorporated,” “Limited,” “Company,” or their abbreviations. It must also not include restricted words that can confuse the public like “FBI” or “CIA.”

To legally create your Corporation in Georgia, you must prepare and file Articles of Incorporation with the Georgia secretary of state.

Your Articles of Incorporation must include the name of your C-Corp in Georgia, the total number of shares the Corporation will issue, the name and address of the incorporator, the name and address of your Registered Agent, and the address of your principal office.

Georgia law requires all Corporations to appoint a Registered Agent for the organization. The Registered Agent receives official legal documents and correspondence from the state and other bodies. They’re also responsible for filing compliance reports with the state. 

The Registered Agent must have a physical address in the state and be available during regular business hours to receive important business documents. You can be your own Registered Agent or seek a dedicated Georgia Registered Agent service like Inc Authority.

Though you’re not required by the state corporations division to do so, it’s advisable to create the corporate bylaws for your C-Corp in Georgia. This is an internal document kept at the C-Corp’s main office that sets the basic rules for running the organization. 

Your corporate bylaws should touch on issues such as the number of directors, the responsibilities of the different offices, and when to hold annual meetings. Well-defined corporate bylaws show banks, creditors, and investors that your C-Corp is legitimate. 

C-Corporations in Georgia are required by law to have at least one director. The person signing the Articles of Incorporation must appoint the initial directors to serve on the board until the first annual meeting when the shareholders will elect new board members.

The board directors should be at least 18 years old. The corporate bylaws will state how many directors the Georgia Corporation will have. The directors do not have to be Georgia residents or shareholders in the C-Corp unless stated in the corporate bylaws.

For you to launch and operate your C-Corp in Georgia smoothly, you’ll need to draft a shareholder agreement. This is an agreement between the C-Corp owners that outlines the legal structure for making crucial decisions and the obligations of all shareholders. 

The shareholder agreement also establishes the total number of shares issued and their fair price. It also sets clear directives on how outsiders can become shareholders in the company as well as stating the payment details in the event the C-Corp is put for sale.

Issue stock certificates to all the shareholders of your C-Corp in Georgia for their capital contribution to the organization. Shareholders can contribute property, services, cash, or a combination of these three in exchange for partial ownership in the organization. 

Enter the name, address, and contact information of the shareholder in the stock transfer ledger. Georgia doesn’t require C-Corps to set a par value for their stock. As such, you need to specify the par value of your shares in your Articles of Incorporation.

All Corporations in Georgia should apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS. The EIN is a unique nine-digit number that identifies the Corporation as a business entity. It’s used for tax purposes and opening a Corporate bank account. 

C-Corps in Georgia pay corporate income tax at the rate of 6% and must file returns at the state and federal levels. Additionally, Georgia Corporations are required to pay the net worth tax. The shareholders of the Corporation also pay taxes on their earnings, resulting in double taxation.

Your C-Corp in Georgia may need certain permits and licenses based on your industry to operate legally in the state. Find out from the state department which licenses are mandatory for your Corporation and apply for them in advance.

Examples of permits Georgia Corporations need include a zoning permit, occupation permit, liquor license, and health permit. Considering how difficult it is to acquire these licenses, working with a professional service like Inc Authority will help you save time.

Within 90 days of establishing your C-Corp in Georgia, you must submit your initial annual registration report to the state department. The report provides the current record of your C-Corp’s management structure, mailing address, and Registered Agent. 

In the report, you must list the three key principal officers of the Corporation, i.e. CEO, Secretary, and CFO. It must also include a notice of your intention to form a C-Corp in Georgia in a local newspaper. There’s a fine of $250 when you don’t submit this report.

Inc Authority’s free plan is full of amazing features to help you launch your C-Corp in Georgia with ease. It provides the following services at $0 processing fee + state fees:

• Business name check
• Free Georgia Registered Agent service for one year
• Digital document storage and delivery
• Tax planning consultation
• Preparation and filing
• 24/7 Inc care support
• Business credit and funding analysis

Price: Free

The Starter Business Bundle provides the following features to entrepreneurs who want to start a C-Corp in Georgia. 

• Everything in the free plan
• Complete corporate bylaws
• Initial meeting minutes and resolutions 
• EIN/federal tax ID number 
• Annual compliance notifications
• Web domain & email addresses

Price: Custom

The Fast Track package has premium features to help entrepreneurs run and manage their C-Corp in Georgia. Its features include:

• Everything in the Starter Business bundle
• INC Success Advisor Package 
• Private banking specialist 
• Personalized business advice
• Expedited filing

Price: Custom