How much does it cost to start an LLC in Georgia in 2026?

Forming an LLC in Georgia requires a one-time initial filing fee of $100 paid to the Georgia Secretary of State Corporations Division. When accounting for standard registered agent compliance ($39-$125/yr), expect initial Year 1 costs to be approximately $139.

What are the annual recurring fees for a Georgia LLC?

Georgia charges an annual report fee of $50 filed on a annual basis (due April 1 annually). There is no state franchise tax on standard LLCs in Georgia.

What is the true 5-year cost of maintaining a Georgia LLC?

Over 5 years, the true cost of a Georgia LLC is approximately $495. This includes initial formation ($100), recurring annual reports ($50), statutory franchise taxes, and compliance support.

Can I form an out-of-state LLC (e.g. Wyoming or Delaware) if I live in Georgia?

While you can legally form an entity in Delaware or Wyoming, if your principal place of business, employees, or operations are located in Georgia, you must register as a Foreign LLC in Georgia. In Georgia, the foreign qualification filing fee is $225 plus ongoing maintenance of $50/year, often resulting in double fees.

Verified 2026 Statutory Guide

Georgia LLC Cost Calculator & 5-Year Taxes

Initial state filing fee: $100. Ongoing annual report fee: $50 (annual). No state franchise tax.

Compare Georgia vs Others

Direct Answer • 2026 Official Fee Schedule

Starting an LLC in Georgia costs $100 for the one-time Articles of Organization filing fee, plus $50/yr in recurring annual report fees. Over 5 years, maintaining a Georgia LLC costs an estimated $495.

Initial State Filing$100One-time payment

Annual Report$50Due April 1 annually

Franchise Tax$0none

Registered Agent$39–$125Annual service

Statutory Department: Georgia Secretary of State Corporations Division

Verify on State Website (.gov)

Georgia LLC 5-Year Cost Model

Adjust parameters below to model state filing fees, recurring franchise taxes, and compliance overhead.

Popular:

1. State of LLC FormationInitial: $100

Approval speed: 5-7 business days•Public Privacy: Moderate

2. Where do you conduct business?

If you reside or hire employees in a different state from your LLC, that state requires Foreign Qualification registration.

3. Estimated Annual Gross Revenue$150,000

Georgia Tax Rule: Georgia net worth tax does not apply to standard pass-through LLCs.

4. Registered Agent ServiceMandatory by law

5. Expedited State Processing

Expedited State Processing (+$100)

Accelerates state filing from 5-7 business days to 24-48 hours.

Deciding where to incorporate?

Compare Georgia vs Wyoming & Delaware →

Year 1 Setup Cost

$139

Initial formation fee ($100) + registered agent

Annual Maintenance

$89 /yr avg

Annual report ($50/yr)

5-Year True CostAll Hidden Fees Included

$495(~$8/mo)

Total 5-year statutory commitment to maintain legal compliance in Georgia.

5-Year Cost Trajectory & Fee Composition(Click any year to inspect)

Notice how initial filing fees are often dwarfed by recurring franchise taxes and maintenance.

Inspecting: Year 1 ($139)

$139

Year 1Formation

$89

Year 2Renewal

$89

Year 3Renewal

$89

Year 4Renewal

$89

Year 5Renewal

State Formation & Expedited

Franchise & Entity Taxes

Annual / Biennial Reports

Special Mandates (Publication, etc.)

Registered Agent Compliance

Home State Foreign Qualification

Year 1 Itemized Line Items

Total: $139

State Filing$100

Franchise Tax$0

Annual Report$0

Special / Pub$0

Registered Agent$39

Foreign Qual.$0

5-Year Budget Allocation by Cost Category

Total State Filings

$100

20% of 5-yr budget

Total Franchise Taxes

0% of 5-yr budget

Annual / Biennial Reports

$200

40% of 5-yr budget

Registered Agent Service

$195

39% of 5-yr budget

Publication / Mandates

0% of 5-yr budget

Founder Cost-Reduction Tip

Save on your Georgia filing fees & protect your personal privacy

Pro Tip: Filing directly through the state exposes your personal home address on public government records forever. You can keep your private details off the public registry and save time by using a top-rated Registered Agent service starting at $39 + state fees.

Free Home Address RedactionInstant Georgia Compliance AlertsAnnual Report Reminders

Get Started for $39 + State FeesRated 4.8/5 by 10,000+ founders • No hidden renewal spikes

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Open a zero-fee business checking account for your Georgia LLC

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Georgia LLC Statutory Framework & Compliance Guide (2026)

Statutory requirements and fee schedules under the Georgia Secretary of State Corporations Division.

Official State Portal (.gov)

Annual Report Due DateApril 1 annuallyFrequency: ANNUAL

Normal Turnaround5-7 business daysExpedited: +$100

Public Record PrivacyModerateRegistered agent protects personal address

State Personal Income Tax5.49% flat taxLLC pass-through profits flow to owners

Georgia Franchise Tax & Business Privilege Tax Rules

Georgia net worth tax does not apply to standard pass-through LLCs.

Advantages of a Georgia LLC

Predictable $50/yr annual registration
Robust Atlanta tech and media hub

Drawbacks & Hidden Costs

$225 foreign LLC fee
Processing can take a week without expedited fee

Founder Pro-Tip for Georgia

Georgia allows multi-year annual registrations (1, 2, or 3 years at once) to avoid accidental misses.

Step-by-Step Georgia LLC Formation Checklist (2026)

Choose an Available Entity Name

Must include "LLC", "L.L.C.", or "Limited Liability Company" and be distinguishable on the Georgia Secretary of State Corporations Division registry.

Appoint a Georgia Registered Agent

Must have a physical street address in Georgia (no P.O. boxes) to receive official service of process during regular business hours.

File Articles of Organization ($100 State Fee)

Submit electronically to the Georgia Secretary of State Corporations Division. Approval is typically granted within 5-7 business days.

Execute an Operating Agreement & Obtain Federal EIN

Establish member capital contributions, voting rights, and obtain a free 9-digit EIN from IRS.gov for business checking accounts.

Maintain Ongoing Legal Good Standing (April 1 annually)

Submit the annual report with the $50 fee to prevent automatic forfeiture or late fee assessments.

Compare Georgia with Rival & Neighboring States

Evaluating formation options? Review fee structures in competing jurisdictions:

Filing: $100

Filing: $110

Filing: $300

Filing: $70