United States

Company Formation in Georgia

State of Georgia — Secretary of State (Corporations Division)

Formation Time

2–4 business days

Min. Capital

No minimum

Corporate Tax

5.39% flat state corporate income tax (reducing to 4.99%)

Foreign Ownership

100%

Overview

Georgia has been ranked the '#1 State for Doing Business' by Area Development for ten consecutive years. Anchored by the vibrant Atlanta metropolitan economy, Georgia is the unrivaled fintech and payment processing capital of the United States — known as 'Transaction Alley', where over 70% of all US financial transactions (credit card payments, debit cards, point-of-sale swipes) are processed. Atlanta is also a primary headquarters city for Fortune 500 corporations, including The Coca-Cola Company, The Home Depot, Delta Air Lines, and UPS. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is the world's busiest airport, offering non-stop flights to over 150 US cities and 75 international destinations. Georgia boasts an exceptionally low $100 Secretary of State formation fee, an ultra-low $50 annual registration fee, and a flat 5.39% corporate income tax rate (legislated to decrease to 4.99%), making it one of the most cost-effective and globally connected states in North America.

#1 State for Business 10 yrs

Transaction Alley fintech hub

$50 annual report fee

World's busiest airport

Savannah port

Why Choose Georgia

Ranked #1 State for Doing Business for 10 consecutive years (Area Development)

'Transaction Alley' — over 70% of all US credit and debit card transactions are processed in Georgia

Atlanta is home to the world's busiest airport (Hartsfield-Jackson), offering unparalleled global connectivity

Top corporate headquarters hub (Coca-Cola, Home Depot, Delta Air Lines, UPS)

Low $100 state filing fee and lowest annual renewal fee in the Southeast ($50/year)

Flat 5.39% corporate income tax rate, scheduled to drop to 4.99%

Port of Savannah — fastest-growing container port in the United States

Top-ranked engineering talent from Georgia Tech and Emory University

Business Entity Types

Entity	Ownership	Directors	Capital	Tax	Best For
LLC	100%	N/A (member or manager managed)	None	Pass-through taxation; 0% state tax for foreign non-resident owners with no US income	Fintech startups, e-commerce, international trade, consulting, logistics
Corporation	100%	1	None	21% federal CIT; 5.39% flat Georgia corporate income tax	Payment processors, software enterprises, logistics operators, manufacturing

Step-by-Step Formation Process

Entity Name Verification

1 day

Search Georgia Secretary of State corporate database.

Filing Articles of Organization

2–4 business days

File formation documents electronically with the Corporations Division.

Federal EIN Issuance

3–10 business days

Secure Employer Identification Number from the IRS.

Initial Annual Registration

1–2 days

File initial Georgia annual registration within 90 days ($50 fee).

Corporate US Bank Opening

3–5 days

Establish corporate accounts with Atlanta commercial banks or digital banking platforms.

Costs & Fees

Government / License Fee	USD 100+
Our Service Fee	USD 850 – 2,200
Annual Renewal	USD 50+

Fees are indicative and may vary based on business activity, entity type, and additional approvals required. Contact us for a precise custom quote.

Get Custom Quote

Banking

As the payment processing capital of the United States, Georgia offers an extraordinarily modern financial ecosystem with deep merchant processing and corporate banking support.

Account Opening Time

3–7 business days

Multi-Currency

Yes — multiple currencies supported

Recommended Banks

Truist Bank (major Atlanta presence)JPMorgan ChaseMercuryRelaySynovus Bank

Tax Overview

Corporate Tax

5.39% flat state corporate income tax (reducing to 4.99%); 21% federal CIT

Personal Income Tax

5.39% flat state personal income tax

VAT / Sales Tax

4% state sales tax (up to 8.9% combined local)

Capital Gains Tax

Taxed as ordinary income at 5.39%

Withholding Tax

30% federal statutory (reduced by treaties)

Double Tax Treaties

68 countries

Georgia has one of the lowest state maintenance fees in America: just $50 annually for both LLCs and corporations. Pass-through LLCs pay 0% Georgia corporate tax if income is not sourced to Georgia.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Atlanta known as 'Transaction Alley'?

Over 70% of all debit, credit, and gift card transactions in the United States pass through payment processing systems operated by fintech companies based in greater Atlanta, including NCR, Global Payments, FIS, and Worldpay. This makes Georgia the premier ecosystem for payment startups and merchant services.

What is the annual renewal fee for a Georgia LLC?

Georgia has one of the most affordable annual maintenance fees in the nation: just $50 per year for both LLCs and corporations, due between January 1 and April 1. Incorp International ensures this is filed on time every year.

Can a foreign founder incorporate in Georgia without a US visa?

Yes. Foreign entrepreneurs can form and own 100% of a Georgia company remotely. No US visa, SSN, or physical presence is required.

What is the Georgia corporate income tax rate?

Georgia levies a flat corporate income tax of 5.39% (scheduled to reduce incrementally to 4.99%). However, standard LLCs operate as pass-through entities and do not pay entity-level income tax.

What is the Port of Savannah and why is it important for logistics?

The Port of Savannah is the single largest and fastest-growing container terminal in North America. For import/export businesses, e-commerce fulfillment, and manufacturing, Georgia provides unmatched rail, highway, and ocean logistics.

Can I open an Atlanta corporate bank account remotely?

Yes. Foreign founders can open full-featured FDIC-insured US business bank accounts remotely through our partner digital banking networks and regional banks.