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”.

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?”

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.

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:

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?”

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, ERGO NEXT Insurance. You can get a free quote with ERGO NEXT here.

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 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 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.

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?”

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.

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