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Q. What happens when I come in to register a new business?
Q. How long does the application process take if I come down to your office?
Q. May I register my new business by mail?
Q. Can I register on the Internet?
Q. What if I have made a mistake reporting my gross revenue?
Q. Where do I get my Tax Identification Number?
Q. What is my business tax based on?
Q. My business is in Georgia, but not in Atlanta; do I need a Business Tax Certificate to operate in Atlanta?
Q. I changed the name of my business and/or location during the past year. How can I update my Business Tax Certificate (Business License)?
Q. My business ownership status has changed (became a corporation, changed from partnership to sole proprietorship, etc.). Do I need to contact your office?
Q. I have multiple businesses located within the City of Atlanta. Do I pay a registration fee for each?
Q. What is the penalty, if my renewal is not filed by the deadline of February 15th?
Q. What is the penalty, if my payment is not made by the deadline of April 1st?
Q. How can I find out if my business is located within the City of Atlanta’s corporate limits?
Q. Who should I contact if I have questions regarding regulatory matters such as:
- Malt beverages/wine consumed-packaged?
- Malt beverages/beer consumed-packaged?
- Create a package store area?
- Distilled spirits packaged-consumed?
- Adult entertainment?
- Hotel/Motel?
- Massage salon?
- Massage technician?
- Bonding company?
- Escort service?
- Billiard/pool room?
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Q. Who should I contact if I have questions regarding an existing alcohol, hotel/motel and/or adult entertainment business account?
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Q. What happens when I come in to register a new business?
A. You will be asked to complete a New Business Tax Application, which includes a request for an estimate of gross revenue from your business start date until the end of the year. You will go to the Zoning Enforcement Division (3rd Floor, Suite 3900) for approval of your business location. After processing and paying the $75.00 registration fee with certified funds, you will receive a temporary license that expires in 30 days.
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Q. How long does the process take if I come down to your office?
A. Approximately thirty minutes. Our processing hours are from 8:15 a.m. until 3:15 p.m., Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. NOTE: We do not process applications on Tuesday.
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Q. May I register my new business by mail?
A. Yes, fully complete, sign and date the Business Tax Application and be sure to enclose the $75.00 registration fee in guaranteed funds (money order or certified bank check). Neither personal nor company checks are accepted. Payment should be made payable to the City of Atlanta. Applications received through the mail require six to eight weeks processing time because zoning requirements also have to be completed.
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Q. Can I register on the Internet?
A. No, however you may download the application, complete and mail it in with the $75.00 registration fee in the form of guaranteed funds (money order or certified bank check). Payment should be made payable to City of Atlanta.
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Q. What if I made a mistake reporting my gross revenue?
A. Simply contact our office at 404.330.6270 and we will mail or fax the appropriate forms so that you may correct your account.
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Q. Where do I get my Tax Identification Number?
A. Contact the State of Georgia, Department of Revenue at 404.417.4490, for your State Tax Identification Number.
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Q. What is my business tax based on?
A. Your tax is based upon the gross receipts and number of employees from your business. Businesses located in the City of Atlanta are taxed on statewide receipts. Businesses located outside Georgia are taxed on receipts generated in the City of Atlanta, only.
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Q. My business is in Georgia, but not in Atlanta; do I need a Business Tax Certificate to operate in Atlanta?
A. Current state law mandates that you register your business in the municipality or jurisdiction where it is located. This registration allows your business to operate statewide. (Businesses located outside Georgia must register in each municipality or jurisdiction where they have a business location.)
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Q. I changed the name of my business and/or location during the past year. How can I update my Business Tax Certificate (Business License)?
A. It is important to notify the Business Tax Division as soon as possible, when adding or changing any business names or locations. There is no charge to change your business name. However, location changes within the city limits of Atlanta requires a written request for zoning approval.
You can request an Information Change Form to change your business name by contacting the Business Tax Division at (404) 330-6270, between the hours of 8:15 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday or visit the office at City Hall, Suite 1350, Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. The mailing address is: City of Atlanta, Business Tax Division, 55 Trinity Avenue, S.W., Suite 1350, Atlanta, Georgia 30303.
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Q. My business ownership status has changed (became a corporation, changed from partnership to sole proprietorship, etc.); do I need to contact your office?
A. Yes: a Final Tax Return must be completed to close the business under the former ownership structure and a new Business Tax Return completed to register the new business.
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Q. I have multiple businesses located within the City of Atlanta. Do I pay a registration fee for each?
A. Yes: each business location must be registered and all applicable fees paid.
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Q. What is the penalty, if my renewal is not filed by the deadline of February 15th?
A. Your business is subject to a $500 late fee regardless of your total license fee amount.
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Q. What is the penalty, if my payment is not made by the deadline of April 1st?
A. Your business is subject to a 10% penalty of your total license fee plus interest at 1% per month, if paid after April 1st.
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Q. How can I find out if my business is located within the City of Atlanta’s corporate limits?
A. To verify that your business is located within the City of Atlanta’s corporate limits, please call the Zoning Enforcement Division at 404.330.6175.
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Q. Who should I contact if I have questions regarding regulatory matters such as:
1. Malt beverages/wine consumed-packaged?
2. Malt beverages/beer consumed-packaged?
3. Create a package store area?
4. Distilled spirits packaged-consumed?
5. Adult entertainment?
6. Hotel/Motel?
7. Massage salon?
8. Massage technician?
9. Bonding company?
10. Escort service?
11. Billiard/pool room?
A. You should contact the Atlanta Police Permits office at 404.853.4470.
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Q. Who should I contact if I have questions regarding an existing alcohol,
hotel/motel and/or adult entertainment business account?
A. You should contact the Business Tax Division at 404.335.6270.