Form an LLC in Georgia: 2026 Cost, Timeline & Steps

Forming a Georgia LLC is one of the cheapest and fastest in the U.S. The state filing is straightforward; the post-formation work is what new founders underestimate. Here is the full 2026 sequence we use for LLC formation clients.

Real 2026 costs

• Georgia Articles of Organization filing fee: $100 online, $110 by mail.
• Annual registration: $50 per year, due April 1.
• Registered agent (if you use a service): $50-$200/year.
• Operating agreement (recommended even for single-member): $0 DIY to $400 attorney-reviewed.
• EIN: $0 from the IRS (~60 min via fax or third-party designee).

Timeline

Online filing through the Georgia Secretary of State eCorp portal is approved within 1-2 business days. Mail filings take 7-15 business days. EIN follows once the LLC is formed - same day if you use a third-party designee.

Post-formation: the 30-day checklist

• Operating agreement signed (even single-member - banks ask).
• <a href="/cpa-tax-advisory/ein-application">EIN obtained</a> from the IRS.
• Business bank account opened (Mercury, Relay, Chase, or local).
• <a href="/cpa-tax-advisory/registered-agent-service">Registered agent</a> set if you do not want your home address on the public record.
• Atlanta or county business license (occupational tax certificate) filed - separate from state.
• Sales tax permit if you sell taxable goods or services.
• Bookkeeping software set up before the first transaction.

The S-Corp question - decide by year two

If your Georgia LLC clears ~$100K of net income, revisit the S-Corp election. Our S-Corp vs LLC analysis shows the break-even and the math.

Do it once, do it right

We file the LLC, obtain the EIN, draft the operating agreement, and set up bookkeeping in one engagement - flat fee, 5 business days. Book a 30-minute call to scope it.