As an entrepreneur, you want to ensure that your business complies with all state and local laws and is legally safeguarded. Having the help of an experienced Atlanta business lawyer is a smart move!
Starting a new business is a big step, and it can be difficult to understand the legalities involved. Our firm can help you through every stage of your business.
Forming a new business
Atlanta is a great place to start your business. The city is known for its low cost of living and strong infrastructure, and it has a long history as an entrepreneurial hotspot.
Before establishing your business, you should familiarize yourself with the city’s laws and regulations. These include taxes and insurance, as well as employee requirements.
If you decide to form a limited liability company (LLC), you should file Articles of Incorporation or Organization with the Georgia Secretary of State. These forms are available online or can be printed and mailed in.
Once your business has been registered, you will need to maintain your LLC’s compliance with the law by filing annual registration statements. These are due between January 1 and April 1 of each year.
You will need to provide your address, tax identification number and other required information when you register your business. This is to ensure that the business has an accurate legal presence and to help avoid any unwanted tax penalties or fines from the state.
Before choosing a name for your business, you should do a search on the Secretary of State’s website to make sure that the name isn’t already in use by another entity. You can also reserve a name for up to 30 days by submitting a name reservation request, which can be done online or by mail.
Your business’s name should be unique and reflect your brand’s vision. This can be a difficult task, but it’s worth it to make sure that your brand is consistent throughout all of your marketing materials.
Many new businesses struggle with defining their unique voice and what it means to consumers. The best way to do this is to spend some time thinking about what it is that makes your business different from the rest and what you want consumers to think about when they see your logo, drive by your storefront or visit your website.
Once you have a clear idea of what you want your business to be, you can focus on finding a location for your new company. This is an important step for any entrepreneur, especially if you’re starting a business from scratch.
Licensing your business
If you’re thinking of starting a business in Georgia, it’s important to understand the Business laws in Atlanta that govern your industry. These include the type of business license you need and the process for obtaining it.
Whether you plan to form a corporation, limited liability company or sole proprietorship, the first step is to register your business with the Georgia Secretary of State. This will formally establish your legal entity and provide you with your own tax ID number. You can also get a federal employer identification number (EIN) to identify your business to the IRS.
In addition to registering your business, you may need to obtain other licenses or permits in order to operate it. These can be specific to your industry, profession or location, and they cover things like education or professional certification, experience in a particular field that’s vital to the business, passage of certain examinations, and meeting financial or bonding requirements.
Some of the most common business licenses in Georgia include seller’s permits, which allow you to sell goods and services in the state. You can apply for one through the Georgia Office of Revenue online.
Another business license is a business tax certificate, which is issued by the city where you’ll be operating your business. The cost for this is dependent on the gross receipts of your business and the number of employees.
Finally, there are some businesses that require special licensing and permits from local, county and state agencies. These can be in areas such as fishing, firearms, ammunition, explosives or commercial nuclear energy.
Most of these business licensing requirements vary by city, town, or county. If you’re planning to start a business in Atlanta, for example, you will need to obtain a city-issued business license and a business tax certificate.
Getting a license can seem complicated, but it’s essential for any business in Georgia to be properly licensed to avoid fines and penalties. Fortunately, the State of Georgia has made it easy for new business owners to learn about what’s required in their area by providing a number of resources on their First Stop Business Information Center and downloadable guide.
Dissolving your business
Dissolution of a business can be an overwhelming process, especially if you don’t understand the legal requirements. However, an experienced business law attorney can help guide you through the entire process and ensure that your company is dissolved properly and in compliance with Georgia corporate laws.
Depending on the type of business, different steps are necessary to close it down in Georgia. For example, a limited liability company will need to file Articles of Dissolution with the Secretary of State to end its existence.
For corporations, the decision to dissolve is typically made by a board of directors. This decision is also based on a number of internal factors that may include the company’s operating agreement or corporate by-laws. If a company has issued shares, the Articles of Dissolution must be adopted by a majority of shareholders.
Corporations can also be administratively dissolved by the Secretary of State (SOS) if it does not submit its annual registration on time. This is known as “dissolution by default.”
In most states, businesses are required to file a notice of intent to dissolution with the SOS prior to filing Articles of Dissolution. The notice must be published in the official newspaper in the county where the company is registered.
If you do not comply with the required state corporate filings, you can face penalties and other fees. The best thing to do is to hire a company that can help you with the process at an affordable rate.
Business law attorneys can help you with everything from selling assets to filing the correct dissolution paperwork in the right jurisdiction. They can also provide strategic legal maneuvering to reduce your company’s risk of litigation.
Before a business officially closes, it is important to make sure that all outstanding debts have been settled and any tax obligations have been paid. It is also important to notify local, state, and federal agencies of your company’s end of operations.
