- The mandatory state fee to submit Articles of Organization online in Georgia is $110.00, comprising a $100 base filing fee plus a $10 portal service charge.
- An official Employer Identification Number (EIN) costs $0 (free) directly from the IRS website, but state formation must be completed before submitting the federal EIN application.
- Georgia LLCs must submit their annual registration between January 1 and April 1 of the year following formation for a $60.00 fee to avoid a $25.00 late penalty or potential administrative dissolution.
- Business owners may file annual registrations up to 3 years in advance or amend an existing registration for a $30.00 fee.
- U.S.-formed business entities are fully exempt from federal Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) reporting under rules effective August 14, 2026.
Georgia LLC Formation and Maintenance Facts
| Item / Requirement | Fee / Detail | Official Source |
|---|---|---|
| Articles of Organization Fee | $110.00 ($100 filing fee + $10 online service charge) | https://sos.ga.gov/how-to-guide/how-guide-register-domestic-entity |
| Employer Identification Number (EIN) Fee | $0 (free from the IRS) | https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/get-an-employer-identification-number |
| Filing Order Requirement | Form entity with state before applying for EIN | https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/get-an-employer-identification-number |
| Annual Registration Fee | $60.00 (online or paper) | https://sos.ga.gov/how-to-guide/how-file-annual-registration |
| Annual Registration Window | Between January 1 and April 1 of the year following formation | https://rules.sos.ga.gov/gac/590-7-22 |
| Advance Annual Filing Option | Allowed up to 3 years in advance | https://sos.ga.gov/how-to-guide/how-file-annual-registration |
| Late Registration Penalty | $25.00 (risk of administrative dissolution for non-filing) | https://sos.ga.gov/how-to-guide/how-file-annual-registration; https://rules.sos.ga.gov/gac/590-7-22 |
| Amended Annual Registration Fee | $30.00 | https://sos.ga.gov/how-to-guide/how-file-annual-registration |
| Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) Reporting | Exempt for U.S.-formed companies | https://www.fincen.gov/boi |
Understanding the DIY Formation Process in Georgia
Forming a Limited Liability Company (LLC) directly in Georgia is straightforward if you are willing to navigate the official state web portal. The primary document required is the Articles of Organization, submitted through the Georgia Secretary of State eCorp filing system. The state charges a $100 filing fee plus a mandatory $10 service charge, bringing the total online submission cost to $110.00.
Once the state approves your Articles of Organization, your entity legally exists. At that stage, you can request an Employer Identification Number (EIN) directly from the IRS. You must form the entity with the state before applying for an EIN. Obtaining an EIN directly from the official federal portal costs $0 (free), and founders should never pay a third party for an EIN.
Ongoing compliance for a Georgia LLC centers on the annual registration. A newly formed LLC must file its first annual registration between January 1 and April 1 of the year following formation. The annual registration fee is $60.00 whether filed online or on paper. To streamline administration, Georgia permits entity owners to submit annual registrations up to 3 years in advance. Missing the April 1 deadline incurs a $25.00 late penalty and puts the LLC at risk of administrative dissolution by the Secretary of State. If company details change later, filing an amended annual registration costs $30.00.
Regarding federal filings, founders can mark one major requirement off their checklist. Under federal rules effective August 14, 2026, U.S.-formed companies are exempt from Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) reporting to FinCEN.
When DIY Filing Makes the Most Sense
Filing on your own is the optimal choice for cost-conscious, single-member LLCs. If you own the business individually, operate in a standard industry, and do not mind spending an hour setting up state and tax accounts, paying the required $110.00 state fee directly to Georgia avoids all third-party service markups.
The DIY path gives you direct access to your state eCorp account, ensuring that you receive notices directly from the Secretary of State. Furthermore, multi-member LLCs should take note: while a formation service can generate generic boilerplate legal forms, a service does not draft customized multi-member operating agreements tailored to specific capital contribution structures or management splits. Multiple members mean an operating agreement that actually has to say something. That is not what a formation service produces. If your business has multiple owners, you will need a customized operating agreement regardless of whether you use a formation service, making DIY state filing combined with professional legal counsel for internal agreements a sensible path.
When Using a Formation Service Is Worth the Cost
Using a formation service makes sense when you prefer to outsource administrative tasks, maintain privacy, or ensure long-term compliance without tracking dates manually. A registered agent in Georgia must maintain a physical address in the state to receive official legal notices. If you run a home-based business, using a registered agent service keeps your personal home address off public state databases.
Commercial services also offer compliance dashboards that automatically prompt you before the April 1 annual registration window closes, preventing administrative dissolution.
Commercial Formation Services Overview
The following providers represent popular choices for LLC setup (listed alphabetically, not ranked):
| Provider | Entry Plan Standard Pricing (as of 2026) | Registered Agent Service Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bizee | $0 plus state fee | Includes first year of registered agent service |
| LegalZoom | $0 plus state fee | Registered agent service charged separately annually |
| Northwest Registered Agent | Standard service fees plus state fee | Includes corporate guide service and privacy protection |
| Rocket Lawyer | Package fees or legal subscription model | Discounted filing fees available with monthly membership |
| Tailor Brands | $0 plus state fee | Bundles entity formation with branding tools |
| ZenBusiness | Starter $0 plus state fee, Pro $199/yr, Premium $299/yr | Separate $199/yr service on all tiers; discounted to $99 first year with formation |
Note: Provider pricing other than ZenBusiness is described based on market offerings as of 2026 and is subject to change.
For founders who decide a service fits their situation, ZenBusiness is a strong choice. Their Starter tier begins at $0 plus the Georgia state fee, providing formal creation and name availability verification. For businesses needing faster processing, corporate document templates, and ongoing compliance tools, their Pro tier ($199/yr) and Premium tier ($299/yr) offer managed options. ZenBusiness offers registered agent service as a separate $199/yr add-on across all tiers, which is discounted to $99 for the first year when you form your LLC through their platform.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Georgia LLC filing fee on the Georgia Secretary of State eCorp portal?
The total electronic filing fee for Articles of Organization on the Georgia Secretary of State eCorp portal is $110.00. This consists of a $100 base filing fee and a mandatory $10 online processing charge.
What are the official Georgia LLC Articles of Organization and annual registration fees on sos.ga.gov?
According to the official Georgia Secretary of State website (sos.ga.gov), submitting Articles of Organization costs $110.00 online ($100 fee plus $10 service charge). The annual registration fee is $60.00 per year, due between January 1 and April 1 following the year of formation. Submitting late adds a $25.00 penalty, while filing an amended annual registration costs $30.00.
How do I apply online for a free LLC Employer Identification Number on irs.gov?
You can apply online directly on the official IRS website (irs.gov) for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) at a cost of $0 (free). Never pay a third-party service for an EIN. Before applying with the IRS, you must first complete your entity formation with the Georgia Secretary of State, as the IRS requires an approved business entity name and state formation details during application.
Choosing the Right Path for Your Business
Deciding between DIY formation and hiring a service comes down to how you prefer to allocate your capital and time. If you want the lowest possible setup cost and are comfortable managing annual deadlines yourself, filing directly through the Georgia Secretary of State portal is the clear winner. If you prefer automated compliance management, address privacy, and professional filing oversight, using a service like ZenBusiness provides valuable peace of mind.
Sources
- Internal Revenue Service, “Get an employer identification number”
- Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, “Beneficial Ownership Information Reporting”
- Georgia Secretary of State, “How to Guide: Register Domestic Entity”
- Georgia Secretary of State, “How to Guide: File Annual Registration”
- Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia, “Subject 590-7-22 LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANIES - ANNUAL REGISTRATIONS”
This is general information rather than legal advice, and requirements vary by state and change over time.