How to form an S corporation in Georgia

Forming an S corporation in Georgia is fairly simple. All you need to do is follow our guide and carefully fulfil all the legal requirements to form an S corporation.

Firstly, you need to understand what an S corporation is.

What is an S Corporation?

An S corporation is a unique business structure that allows you to enjoy the benefits of being a corporation while still maintaining some of the tax advantages of being an individual. To form an S corporation in Georgia, you must meet certain requirements.

Requirements to Form an S corporation in Georgia

In Georgia, you can form an S corporation by filing a Certificate of Formation The requirements to form an S corporation in Georgia are:

1. Have a corporation that is domestic.
2. Have a business purpose other than to avoid paying taxes.
3. Have at least two shareholders.
4. Have no more than 100 shareholders.
5. Not be a professional service corporation
6. The name of the corporation shall be distinguishable from any other corporate names on file in this state or reserved for use within this state by a domestic or foreign corporation.

7. The name of the corporation must contain the words “Corporation,” “Incorporated,” “Limited,” or an abbreviation thereof, as the last words or letters of its corporate name, but no word or phrase descriptive of the character or purpose of the business proposed to be conducted may be used in such manner as to imply that it is not a corporation formed under this charter (O.C.G.A. § 9-11-10). For example, if you want to form a construction company named “Construction & Development Co.” and want to incorporate in Georgia, you must register your company as either Construction & Development Co., Inc., Construction & Development Co., LLC, etc.

8. The registered agent for service of process must be an individual resident of Georgia who is at least 18 years old and authorized by law to accept service on behalf of corporations formed under this chapter (O.C G.A. § 9-11-13). This means that the registered agent must be a real person and not an entity such as a corporation or LLC. 9. The corporation’s name must end with the words “Incorporated” or “Inc.”, or an abbreviation of those words (O.C.G.A. § 9-11-12). For example, if you want to form a construction company named “Construction & Development Co.” and want to incorporate in Georgia, you must register your company as either Construction & Development Co., Inc., Construction & Development Co., LLC, etc.. 10

Steps to follow in order to form an S corporation in Georgia

Forming an S corporation in Georgia is no difficult.

Step 1: File A Certificate of Incorporation

To begin, you need to file a certificate of incorporation. You can file your certificate through Trademark Avenue. You can find the necessary forms and guidelines on their website.

Step 2: Obtain an Employer Identification Number

Once you’ve filed your certificate of incorporation, you’ll want to get an Employer Identification Number from the IRS and register with the state unemployment insurance agency. Don’t Worry! Trademark Avenue will do it for you. You’ll also need to decide how much money you want each shareholder to contribute to capitalization—the money that gets put into the company in exchange for stock.

Step 3: Set up a meeting with Shareholders

You then must hold an initial meeting of shareholders and elect officers for your corporation. After that, your corporation is all set up!

Step 4: File Articles of Incorporation

The next step is to file your articles of incorporation with the state. The paperwork you fill out will include details about your corporation’s name, address and purpose. You can find the necessary forms and guidelines on their website.

Step 5: Operate as a Corporation

Once you have filed your articles of incorporation, you can start operating as a corporation. This means that you must hold an initial meeting of shareholders and elect officers for your corporation. In some states, there is a fee for filing the paperwork and setting up your corporation.

Further Necessary Steps You can Take to Manage your S Corporation

Set Up a Business Bank Account

Once you have filed your articles of incorporation, you can open a business bank account. This will allow you to receive and deposit funds in a separate account from your personal bank accounts. This will make it easier for you to track expenses and income from your business. It’s also a good idea to set up separate accounts for each of the different types of businesses you operate, including sole proprietorships, LLCs, and corporations.

Obtain Business Licenses and Permits

Depending on the type of business you’re operating, you may need to obtain licenses and permits. For example, if you plan to sell products or offer services in your home state, then you will need a home-based business license. Be sure to check with your city hall or town council for any additional requirements.

Set Up Your Business Website

A website is a great way to showcase your business, attract new customers, and provide information about yourself and your products or services. You can create a free website using WordPress or other open-source platforms (like Wix), but if you want more control over the design and functionality of your site then consider purchasing a domain name from GoDaddy, Bluehost, HostGator or another provider.

Create a Marketing Plan

A marketing plan is essential for any business. It helps you determine what types of advertising you need to pay for, how much each cost and how often it should be done. You can create a free marketing plan using the SitePoint tool or try Grow Plan Pro if you want more features like analytics and CRM integration.

Implement your marketing plan

Once you’ve created your marketing plan, it’s time to start implementing it. There are many different ways to promote a website and new businesses should try them all. Start by creating social media accounts like Facebook and Twitter. Then create an email list with MailChimp or AWeber so that you can send out email updates about what’s going on in your business.