Photography Business Permit Requirements in Atlanta, GA

1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

   Required if you have employees, operate as a corporation, or a multi-member LLC. A single-member LLC with no employees can generally use the owner's SSN instead of an EIN, though many banks require one to open a business account; corporations, multi-member LLCs, and any business with employees do need one. Apply free and instantly online through the IRS website.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online application)

   Free

   Immediate (online application)

2. FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate (Drone Photography)

   Required for commercial aerial photography using drones. Atlanta is near Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (Class B airspace), so most drone operations over the city need FAA LAANC authorization in addition to Part 107 certification. Applicants must pass the FAA Aeronautical Knowledge Test at an FAA-approved testing center and complete free online recurrent training every 24 calendar months to stay current.

   Official government source

   Knowledge test fee is set by the FAA-approved testing center (not published on faa.gov); confirm current pricing with the test provider before registering.·2–4 weeks

   Knowledge test fee is set by the FAA-approved testing center (not published on faa.gov); confirm current pricing with the test provider before registering.

   2–4 weeks

1. Georgia Department of Revenue — Sales Tax Registration

   Georgia photographers must register with the Georgia DOR to collect and remit sales tax. As of January 1, 2024, Georgia taxes the sale of specified digital products delivered to end users with the right of permanent use — meaning digital photo files delivered to clients are now taxable. Physical prints and albums have always been taxable. The Georgia state sales tax rate is 4%; Fulton County (City of Atlanta) adds additional local rates for a combined rate of approximately 8.9%.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online registration)

   Free

   Immediate (online registration)

2. Georgia Secretary of State — Business Entity Registration

   If operating as an LLC or corporation, register your photography business with the Georgia Secretary of State. Georgia LLCs pay $110 total (a $100 filing fee plus a mandatory $10 service charge) for Articles of Organization. Annual Registration renewals cost $60 total ($50 fee + $10 service charge) per year. File online through the Georgia Secretary of State's Corporations Division.

   Official government source

   $110 total (LLC filing fee + service charge); $60/year total renewal·3–5 business days (online)

   $110 total (LLC filing fee + service charge); $60/year total renewal

   3–5 business days (online)

1. City of Atlanta Occupational Tax Certificate

   All businesses operating within the City of Atlanta must obtain an Occupational Tax Certificate (business license) from the City of Atlanta Office of Revenue. The annual registration fee is $75 for tax years through 2025 and $191 beginning the 2026 tax year. An additional per-employee fee of $25 applies for each employee (first employee exempt), plus a flat $50 tax on the first $10,000 of gross receipts and a gross-receipts tax at your NAICS-based tax-class rate (Atlanta Municipal Code Sec. 30-62). Applications are submitted through the ATLBIZ Occupational Tax and Permitting Portal, which replaced ATLCORE in September 2025. Must file within 30 days of starting the business.

   Official government source

   $191 annual registration fee for tax year 2026 ($75 for tax year 2025 and prior), plus a flat $50 tax on the first $10,000 of gross receipts, plus a gross-receipts tax at the NAICS-based tax-class rate (e.g. 1.88 per $1,000 for tax class 5 in 2026), plus $25 per employee (first employee exempt)·1–2 weeks

   $191 annual registration fee for tax year 2026 ($75 for tax year 2025 and prior), plus a flat $50 tax on the first $10,000 of gross receipts, plus a gross-receipts tax at the NAICS-based tax-class rate (e.g. 1.88 per $1,000 for tax class 5 in 2026), plus $25 per employee (first employee exempt)

   1–2 weeks

2. City of Atlanta Mayor's Office of Entertainment (Film, Entertainment & Nightlife) -- Photography Permit

   Commercial photography shoots on Atlanta public property (streets, sidewalks, city parks, or other public spaces) require a permit from the Mayor's Office of Entertainment (Film, Entertainment & Nightlife, formerly the Office of Film & Entertainment). The non-refundable application fee is $100, and the standard filming/photography permit fee is $300 (covers up to one month/30 days). A rush fee of an additional $300 applies when materials are submitted 72 hours or less before filming begins. Apply through the office's online portal.

   Official government source

   $100 application fee (non-refundable) + $300 permit fee (per month); +$300 rush fee if <72hrs notice·3–5 business days (standard); 72-hour minimum notice

   $100 application fee (non-refundable) + $300 permit fee (per month); +$300 rush fee if <72hrs notice

   3–5 business days (standard); 72-hour minimum notice

3. Fulton County Business License (Fulton Industrial District only)

   Fulton County issues business licenses only to businesses located in the Fulton Industrial District (an unincorporated area) -- it does not license businesses elsewhere in unincorporated Fulton County. A photography business outside Atlanta but not in the Fulton Industrial District generally needs no Fulton County business license. Businesses within Atlanta city limits obtain their license from the City of Atlanta. The county page does not publish a specific minimum fee; contact Fulton County Finance for current fees.

   Official government source

   Fees vary; not published online -- confirm with Fulton County Finance·1–2 weeks

   Fees vary; not published online -- confirm with Fulton County Finance

   1–2 weeks

Official Sources

• City of Atlanta — Apply for a Business License (Occupational Tax Certificate)
• City of Atlanta — Estimating Your Business Tax
• City of Atlanta — Film & Entertainment Permitting
• City of Atlanta — Film Permit Fee Schedule
• Georgia Department of Revenue — Sales and Use Tax

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