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Georgia New Employer Information

Congratulations on your decision to become a new employer in Georgia! You will need a few things in place before you run your first payroll. For help registering your business in Georgia, check out our partner, CorpNet.

Federal and State Tax Accounts

Federal Tax Accounts:

Apply for an EIN View Details

Your business will need to have an Employer Identification Number (also known as an EIN or FEIN), if you do not already have one.
The simplest way is to apply for an EIN with the IRS online. There is no cost to apply for an EIN.
To read more about applying for EINs, read our help article, “Your Step-by-step Guide on How to Apply for EIN”.

Enroll in EFTPS View Details

Although it is not required, we recommend you enroll in the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS). You can register online for the EFTPS.
To find out more about EFTPS, read our article, “What Is EFTPS?”

State of Georgia Tax Accounts:

Register With Georgia Department of Revenue View Details

You will need to register with the Georgia Department of Revenue for a withholding tax account number, also known as State Income Tax (SIT).
New employers in Georgia can register online here. When you get to the page, select the business section at the bottom and choose “register a new Georgia business.” From there, you will be taken through the signup process.

Register With Georgia Department of Labor View Details

Georgia new employers also need to register online with the Georgia Department of Labor for a state unemployment tax account number. You can also open a Georgia Unemployment Tax Account by completing DOL-1A and either faxing to Adjudication Section 404-232-3285 or mailing it to the following address within 10 days:
- Georgia Department of Labor
  P. O. Box 740234
  Atlanta, GA 30374-0234

Get Your SUTA Rate View Details

The Georgia new employer SUTA rate is 2.7%.
You will be given a State Unemployment Tax Act rate every year in late December. Rates are determined by the Georgia Department of Labor.
For more information, read our help article “What Is SUTA Tax?”

State-mandated Insurance

Sign up for Workers’ Comp Insurance View Details

You must have workers’ comp insurance if you have at least 3 employees in Georgia. You can sign up for workers’ comp insurance through a private provider or state-operated fund. Learn more about workers’ comp requirements in Georgia here.
Patriot’s online payroll offers free pay as you go (PAYG) workers’ comp integration with our partner, NEXT Insurance. You can get a free quote with NEXT here.

Setting Up Your New Employee:

Fill Out Form I-9 View Details

The Form I-9 is required by law for new employees. This is a two-part form. The first part will be filled out by the employee and the second by you, the employer. For more information, read “Form I-9 In a Nutshell”.
You must keep each employee’s completed Form I-9 as long as the individual works for you. For more information, read “What Should Be in an Employee File?”

Have Employee Fill Out Federal Form W-4 View Details

Have your new employee fill out Form W-4, Employee’s Withholding Certificate, for federal income taxes (FIT).
For more information, read our help article, “What Is a W-4 Form, and What Is it Used for?“

Have Employee Fill Out State Form G-4 View Details

Have your new employee fill out Form G-4, Georgia Employee’s Withholding Allowance Certificate for state income tax (SIT).
When you are paying employees in Georgia, you will need to set up their tax allowances as they indicated on their tax withholding form. For more information, read, Georgia Employee Tax Withholding Help.

Report New Hires View Details

You are required to report all new hires within 10 days from the date of hire or rehire.
You can report online or fill out the Georgia New Hire Reporting Form and mail it.
For more information, visit the Georgia New Hire Reporting Program.
To learn more about new hire reporting, read, “What Is New Hire Reporting?”

Meet Minimum Wage Requirements View Details

Georgia employers must follow the federal minimum wage rate of $7.25 per hour if they are covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Non-FLSA employers have a minimum wage requirement of $5.15 per hour.
You need to display the federal minimum wage poster where your employees can read it.

Obtain Labor Law Posters View Details

Get annual posters and all federal, state, county, and city labor law updates with Patriot’s labor law poster store, powered by PosterElite!

Once you have all the necessary information, you will be able to set up your payroll for your business.

Please note that as an employer you will be required to keep employee payroll records for at least three years. For more information, read our help article, “What Employers Should Know About Employee Payroll Records”

Let us know if you have any questions. We are here to help!

This is not an all-inclusive list for new employers. Please check with your state and federal government for full compliance.

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