Business Registration

Business Registration

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Business Registration
Financial Services
Phone: 770-594-6235
Email Us

Hours & Location

Monday - Friday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

38 Hill Street
Suite 210
Roswell, GA 30075

Business Registration

The City of Roswell requires all businesses operating within the city limits of Roswell to register with the Business Registration Office and pay an occupation tax prior to opening with annual renewals. After the business registration process is complete and the occupation tax has been paid, business owners will receive an Occupation Tax Certificate for the current year.

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Occupation Tax Certificates/Business Licenses

Applying for a New Business License

An Occupation Tax Certificate or "business license" is required for all businesses operating within the city limits of Roswell. An Occupation Tax Certificate is required per location of your business.

How to Apply for a New Business License

Renewing a Business License

Businesses located in Roswell are required to maintain a valid Occupation Tax Certificate. Often referred to as a "business license", the certificate is valid for a calendar year and must be renewed annually.

All business licenses expire on December 31 of each calendar year. The occupation tax due date is March 15. Failure to renew a business license prior to March 15 will result in a 10% penalty.

How to Renew a Business License

Change of Information or Status

Changes regarding a business must be submitted to keep the business license updated. If information about your business such as the physical or mailing address or business name has changed address or the business has been closed or sold, please submit the required forms.

How to Change Business License Information or Close a Business

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Open/Public Records Requests

With the exception of information available for the current year, which is available by phone, the City of Roswell requires anyone requesting information on previously registered businesses to submit an Open Records Request to the City Clerk's Office.

Open/Public Records Requests

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Contacting Our Staff

Our staff would be happy to assist you. Before contacting us, please be sure to have your Business Account ID or the business address readily available. This will ensure fast and efficient assistance.

Also, please look over the FAQs, section for additional assistance.

If you still need assistance, please contact the Financial Services Division at 770-594-6235 or email businessregistration@roswellgov.com and include the Business Account ID in the subject line.

Other Helpful Phone Numbers

Roswell Financial Services Division: 770-594-6235
Alpharetta Business License: 678-297-6086
Atlanta Business License: 404-330-6270
Better Business Bureau (Metro): 404-688-4910
Chamber of Commerce of North Fulton: 770-993-9980
Clayton County Business License: 770-477-3569
Clerk of Superior Court (North Annex): 770-698-5755
Clerk of Superior Court (136 Pryor St.): 404-730-5374
Cobb County Business License: 770-528-8412
Decatur Business License: 404-377-9911
Dekalb County Business License: 404-371-2461
Dept. of Agriculture: 404-656-3685
Dept. of Agriculture (Live Plant License): 404-656-9378
Dept. of Revenue: 404-417-4490
Fairburn Business License: 770-964-2244
Federal Tax Identification Number (FEIN): 1-800-215-4591
Fulton County Animal Control: 404-794-0358
Fulton County Business License: 404-730-7720
Fulton County Code Enforcement: 404-730-8355
Gwinnett County Business License: 678-377-4100
Hall County Business License: 770-531-6809
Johns Creek Customer Service: 678-512-3200
Kennesaw Business License: 770-424-8474
Lawrenceville Business License: 770-963-2414
Marietta Business License: 770-974-5518
Milton Customer Service: 678-242-2500
Mountain Park Business License: 770-993-4231
North Annex Business License: 770-551-7616
North Fulton Annex: 770-551-7620
North Fulton County Environmental Health Service: 404-332-1801
Sandy Springs Business License: 770-730-5600
Secretary of State (State Certification/Corp. Division): 404-656-2817
State Daycare: 404-657-5562
State Tax Identification Number: 404-417-4490

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Business Registration Forms & Applications

Change of Information Form
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Final Closure of Business Form
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Insurance License Application

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FAQs

How do I close out my business account with the City of Roswell?

You are required to submit the Final Business Closure Form to the Business Registration Division, if you have closed or sold your business.
Do I need to include a list of all professional practitioners that work at my location?

Yes. Please provide an attached list to your renewal and the fee of $400 per practitioner who work in your location.
What are "professional licensed businesses" and can I pay the flat fee of $400?

Only practitioners listed in O.C.G.A 48-13-9(C) (1-18) can pay the flat fee, which includes but are not limited to: lawyers, physicians, osteopaths, chiropractors, podiatrists, dentists, optometrists, psychologists, veterinarians, landscape architects, land surveyors, practitioners of physiotherapy, public accountants, embalmers, funeral directors, engineers, architects, marriage and family therapists, or counselors.

Practitioners have the option to either pay the gross receipt assessment or pay a flat fee of $400 per practitioner.

Professional Licensed businesses are regulated by the Georgia Secretary of State. A Georgia state license copy must be attached to the application for processing. Please visit for more information on how to obtain a Georgia Professional State License.
Is my company required to have an E-Verify number?

If your company has 11 or more W-2 employees who work 35 hours or more per week and withhold payroll taxes, your company is required to have an e-verify number. To obtain an e-verify number, please go to www.e-verify.gov.

Please note: If you have 11 or more employees, your Occupational Business Certificate will not be issued until the city receives your E-Verify number. Your E-Verify number is 4 to 6 digits in length and must be numerical only with no alpha characters.
What is my NAICS code?

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) is the standard used by federal statistical agencies in classifying business establishments for the purpose of collecting, analyzing, and publishing statistical data related to the U.S. business economy.

Please visit www.census.gov/naics/ to determine the appropriate NAICS code for your business activity. Please contact the Business Registration Division at 770-594-6235 or businessregistration@roswellgov.com for assistance
How is my business occupation tax calculated and what is the current schedule of rates?
The City of Roswell business occupation tax is based on the total gross receipts of the business in combination with the most current profitability ratios, NAICS Code, number of employees (if more than 99), administrative and regulatory fees. The current schedule of rates is available below:
- Business Occupation Tax Schedule of Rates
What is Gross Receipts Tax?
Gross receipts are the total amount a business received from all sources during its annual accounting period, without subtracting any costs or expenses. Business types are categorized by NAICS (North American Industry Classification System) codes as define below. This code is assigned a profitability index which corresponds with a specific tax rate. The tax rate applied to gross receipts will determine the tax assessment. The current schedule of rates is available below:
- Business Occupation Tax Schedule of Rates
Is my City of Roswell Occupation Tax Certificate transferable from one location in Roswell to another?

No. If your Roswell business relocates within the City of Roswell limits, you must first notify the City of Roswell Business Registration Division of this change.

You will be required to complete a Change of Information Form (at no additional charge) in order for the Fire Department and Panning & Zoning Division to review the new location and complete any necessary inspections.
Are there any uses that are specifically prohibited as a home occupation?

The following uses are specifically prohibited as home occupations (list not all inclusive): auto sales or auto repair, restaurants; animal hospitals, veterinary clinics, kennels, or the keeping of animals; funeral homes; retail or wholesale shops; machine shops; personal service establishments; special event facilities; or lodging services. Other restrictions can be confirmed with the Planning and Zoning Division.
When is the deadline for Occupational Tax Certificate renewals?

Business licenses expire on December 31 of each calendar year. You will receive an official billing notification in December explaining how to determine your business occupation tax amount.

The occupation tax due date is March 15. Failure to renew a business license prior to March 15 will result in a 10% penalty.

If you do not receive a renewal notification, please contact the Business Registration Department at 770-594-6235 or businessregistration@roswellgov.com.
What are my payment options?
- Online Payment
  Pay online at www.roswellgov.com/OccupationTaxPayment
  There is a 3% surcharge for all online credit and debit card payments and a flat $1.50 fee for all eCheck payments.
- In Person
  At City Hall (38 Hill St, Suite 210, Roswell, GA 30075)
- By Mail
  Checks and money orders may be mailed to:
  City of Roswell
  Attn: Business Registration
  38 Hill Street, Suite 210
  Roswell, GA 30075
- By Phone
  Call 770-594-6235 to pay with a credit or debit card.
Please note: There is a 3% surcharge for all credit or debit card payments.
Do nonprofit organizations need to register as a business in the City of Roswell?

Yes. Nonprofit organizations located in Roswell must register as a business with the City of Roswell. Although nonprofits fall within the City of Roswell's definition of a business (see Code of Ordinances, sec. 10.3.1), they are exempt from paying occupation taxes. Nonprofits must register with the City of Roswell using either a Commercial Business Application or a Home Business Application, along with a Letter of Determination reflecting their tax-exempt status. For more information, contact the Financial Services Division at 770-594-6235 or businessregistration@roswellgov.com.

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