Alpharetta · Fulton County
Starting a business in Alpharetta: LLC filing and the local occupation tax certificate
Your company is formed once with the Georgia Secretary of State ($110 on eCorp). Then Alpharetta taxes the right to operate locally. Alpharetta charges an administrative fee plus an employee-based tax that rises in tiers.
State filing
$110 (O.C.G.A. 14-11)
Local office
City of Alpharetta Business Licenses & Code Enforcement
Local fee
$75 administrative fee
Annual state filing
$60, Jan 1 to Apr 1
Heads up: we are an independent company that prepares and submits Georgia filings for owners. We are not the Secretary of State and we do not give legal advice. Every state charge passes through at the exact amount the state bills, and anyone can file directly on eCorp for no service fee.
Heads up: we are an independent company that prepares and submits Georgia filings for owners. We are not the Secretary of State and we do not give legal advice. Every state charge passes through at the exact amount the state bills, and anyone can file directly on eCorp for no service fee.
Heads up: we are an independent company that prepares and submits Georgia filings for owners. We are not the Secretary of State and we do not give legal advice. Every state charge passes through at the exact amount the state bills, and anyone can file directly on eCorp for no service fee.
Where Alpharetta businesses get licensed
City of Alpharetta Business Licenses & Code Enforcement.
Address: Alpharetta City Hall, 2 Park Plaza, Alpharetta, GA 30009. Phone: (678) 297-6086, NewBusinessLicense@Alpharetta.Ga.Us. How to apply: Signed, notarized application with payment to Business Licenses.
Official sourceHow Alpharetta calculates occupation tax
Alpharetta charges an administrative fee plus an employee-based tax that rises in tiers. A business with 1 to 4 employees pays $125 plus $10 per employee.
Administrative fee: $75 administrative fee. Georgia lets cities set these under the occupation tax law in O.C.G.A. Title 48, Chapter 13, so every city's formula is different.
Official sourceSolve this in 5 minutes
Heads up: we are an independent company that prepares and submits Georgia filings for owners. We are not the Secretary of State and we do not give legal advice. Every state charge passes through at the exact amount the state bills, and anyone can file directly on eCorp for no service fee.
Step-by-step: from LLC to Alpharetta certificate
- Form your Georgia LLC or corporation.
- Complete the occupational tax certificate application and have it notarized.
- Email or deliver it with payment to Business Licenses at 2 Park Plaza.
- Renew annually.
Headcount tiers, not revenue
Alpharetta's tax follows employee tiers. A fast-growing tech startup that jumps past four employees mid-year should expect a higher tier at renewal.
Worked example: A three-person SaaS startup on the Avalon/Windward corridor incorporating to raise a seed round
A corporation also files an initial annual registration within 90 days of incorporating.
Next year: the Georgia annual registration is $60 between January 1 and April 1 (late adds $25). We file it for $149 plus the state fee.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Corp USA Pro package | $349 |
| Georgia Articles of Organization (state fee at cost) | $110 |
| Alpharetta administrative fee | $75 |
| Employee tax: $125 + 3 x $10 | $155 |
| Fulton legal organ notice (corporation) | $40 |
| Known day-one total | $729 |
Doing it yourself vs. having us file
| Task | DIY on eCorp | With Corp USA |
|---|---|---|
| Name check and Articles | You | We prepare and file same day |
| Registered agent | Your address goes public | Our Georgia address, $199/yr |
| EIN | You, on irs.gov | Included in Pro and Complete |
| Annual registration reminders | You | We track the April 1 window |
Frequently asked questions
Who issues business licenses in Alpharetta?
The city's Business Licenses & Code Enforcement office at City Hall, 2 Park Plaza. Unincorporated Fulton no longer covers Alpharetta addresses.
SourceMy startup plans to raise venture money. LLC or corporation?
Most priced rounds use a corporation. In Georgia that is $110 to file, a $40 newspaper notice, and an initial registration within 90 days. Some founders form in Delaware and register in Georgia for $235 instead.
SourceCan I use a coworking address in Alpharetta as my registered office?
Only if someone there will accept legal papers during business hours. A commercial registered agent ($199/year) is the safer choice.
SourceReady when you are
Heads up: we are an independent company that prepares and submits Georgia filings for owners. We are not the Secretary of State and we do not give legal advice. Every state charge passes through at the exact amount the state bills, and anyone can file directly on eCorp for no service fee.
Heads up: we are an independent company that prepares and submits Georgia filings for owners. We are not the Secretary of State and we do not give legal advice. Every state charge passes through at the exact amount the state bills, and anyone can file directly on eCorp for no service fee.