Get your federal EIN first
Before registering for Georgia state tax accounts, you need a federal Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS — this is free and typically issued immediately online.
Registering through the Georgia Tax Center
The Georgia Department of Revenue handles state tax registration through the Georgia Tax Center (GTC), its online self-service portal. To register a new business, you'll generally need:
- Your business's legal name, location, and mailing address.
- Your federal EIN.
- Names and addresses of owners, partners, or officers.
According to the Department of Revenue, most new registrations receive a tax account number by email shortly after submission — though accounts involving certain regulated goods (like alcohol or tobacco) may take longer due to additional review.
Register for your Georgia tax account only after your EIN is issued — trying to register before you have it will slow down the process rather than speed it up.
What you'll manage through GTC going forward
Once registered, the Georgia Tax Center is also where you'll manage ongoing state tax obligations — filing sales and use tax if applicable to your business, and other state tax matters.
This guide explains the general registration process, not which specific taxes apply to your business or how to calculate what you owe. Confirm your specific tax obligations with the Department of Revenue or a qualified accountant.
If you're hiring employees
State tax registration is separate from registering as an employer for unemployment insurance purposes — see our Georgia Employer Registration Guide for that additional step.
Frequently asked questions
Do all beauty and wellness businesses need to collect sales tax? This depends on what you're selling — many services are treated differently from retail product sales for sales tax purposes. Confirm your specific situation with the Department of Revenue or an accountant rather than assuming.
How quickly do I need to register after forming my business? Register before you begin operating and collecting any revenue that could be subject to state tax — don't treat this as something to get to later.