There's a reason we've all got Georgia on our mind. And why we'd take a midnight train to get there. Almost 50 songs have been written with this state in the title, and it's no wonder why: Georgia has given us James Brown, Martin Luther King Jr., Joanne Woodward and Oliver Hardy. Not to mention Coca Cola and the best peaches this country has to offer.
This sweet state is also a welcoming one in which to legally start your small escort business. In this article you'll find clear step-by-step advice on how to register your escort service in Georgia. For more information on why it's vitally important to register your business, refer to our article Don't get busted for tax evasion: Why registering your escort business is the only option.
Step four: Register your business / business name
Sole Proprietorship:
In Georgia you are not required to register your sole proprietorship business or business name if it is your name and service: "Jane Doe's Escort Service". However, if you take on any other form of a DBA name, you must register it with your local county clerk's office. For more information on if taking on a DBA is a good choice for your business, refer to our article Do I want to be a sole proprietor?
To register your DBA name in Georgia, contact your county clerk's office. You can find their website at the Georgia Superior Court Clerk's Cooperative Authority.
Partnership:
In Georgia you are not required to register your partnership business, business name or a DBA name if you are a general partnership and it is the name of the partners in the partnership agreement. However, if you take on any other form of a DBA name, you have to register it with your county.
To register your DBA name in Georgia, contact your county clerk's office. You can find their website at the Georgia Superior Court Clerk's Cooperative Authority.
Corporation:
To register your corporation in Georgia you'll need to file your Articles of Incorporation—download a Guide to Filing Procedures for Georgia Profit and Nonprofit Corporations or find more information at the Georgia Secretary of State Corporations Division. There is a $100 fee for filing this form.
You'll also have to reserve your business name with your county clerk's office. You can find their website at the Georgia Superior Court Clerk's Cooperative Authority. There is a $25 filing fee for this form.
LLC:
To register as an LLC in Georgia you'll have to file your Articles of Organization and a Transmittal Form 231 with the Secretary of State. You can download a guide to filing these forms directly and download the Transmittal Form 231. More information is available at the Corporations Division of the Georgia Secretary of State. There is a $100 filing fee for these forms.
You'll also have to reserve your business name with your county clerk's office. You can find their website at the Georgia Superior Court Clerk's Cooperative Authority. There is a $25 filing fee for this form.
Step six: Register for your federal and Georgia state taxes
There is no one basic "business license" in Georgia, and chances are your city won't require you have one. But it's a smart idea to check with your city to make sure that nothing extra is required when setting up your small business.
There are a few basic types of taxes small businesses in Georgia may register for.
- Individual Income Tax: The state collects income tax on each person making a profit in Georgia. If you're a sole proprietor or LLC, you'll file your business profits/losses in a Schedule EZ form that will go along with your personal income tax 1040 form. For more information go to IRS.gov or find the form in the Taxpayer Services Division of the Georgia Department of Revenue.
- Business Taxes: Businesses in Georgia have to pay corporate taxes. Partnerships must file a Partnership Income Tax Return, and corporations must file a Corporation Tax Return. More information and these forms can be found under Forms and Publications at the Georgia Department of Revenue.
- Unemployment Tax: All businesses with employees pay into unemployment tax to safeguard the state's unemployed. More information on these taxes and forms to fill out can be found at the Georgia Department of Labor.
- Withholding Taxes: Employers must withhold taxes from employees for their personal income taxes. More information can be found about withholding taxes by downloading the TDS Employers Withholding Tax Guide.
- Workers Compensation: If you have 3 or more employees, you'll have to pay Workers Compensation. More information can be found at Georgia's State Board of Worker's Compensation.
- Self-Employment Taxes: If you own and operate your business and are not paid as an employee, you'll need to file your own self-employment taxes for social security and Medicaid. This is particularly true for sole proprietorships, general partnerships and LLCs. You can find this Schedule C / 1040 form and get more information at IRS.gov.
For more information please visit Business, Labor and Employment at Georgia.gov.
Step seven: Get necessary licenses and permits
There is no one basic "business license" in Georgia, and chances are your city won't require you have one. But you will have to make sure your business is registered with state and that you have a federal EIN. You can sign up directly for some of these services at the Georgia Department of Revenue Tax Center or use the IRS's Permit Me tool.
More information on starting a business in Georgia is available at Business.gov
Find out how to register an escort business in each state of the USA.
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Please note: Dating.com is not a legal service, nor are we tax advisors or accountants. We do offer you what we consider our best advice, but if at all in doubt, please consult a professional.
