Tutoring Service Permit Requirements in Savannah, GA

1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

   Required if you have employees or operate as an LLC/corporation. Free from the IRS. Also useful for opening a business bank account.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online application)

   Free

   Immediate (online application)

1. Georgia — No State Tutoring License Required

   Georgia does not require a state license to operate a tutoring business. Academic tutoring is an unregulated profession. If you operate a tutoring center offering vocational or postsecondary instruction, you may need to register as a Private School or Private Business and Trade School with the Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission — but standard K-12 tutoring does not require this.

   Official government source

   N/A·N/A

   N/A

   N/A

2. Georgia Department of Revenue — Sales and Use Tax Registration

   Private tutoring is not among Georgia's enumerated taxable services, so tutoring fees are not taxable. If you sell books, workbooks, or supplies, those sales are taxable at the combined rate where the buyer takes delivery: 7% in Chatham County (Savannah) and 8.5% in Richmond County (Augusta) per DOR's rate chart effective July 1, 2026.

   Official government source

   Free. Georgia charges no fee to register for a sales and use tax number through the Georgia Tax Center.·Register online at the Georgia Tax Center; the Department of Revenue emails the tax account number within about 15 minutes of submission.

   Free. Georgia charges no fee to register for a sales and use tax number through the Georgia Tax Center.

   Register online at the Georgia Tax Center; the Department of Revenue emails the tax account number within about 15 minutes of submission.

1. Savannah — General Business License / Occupational Tax Certificate

   Tutoring businesses operating within the City of Savannah - whether from a commercial tutoring center, a rented classroom space, or a home office - must obtain a Business Tax Certificate from the City of Savannah Revenue Department (305 Fahm Street, Savannah, GA 31401; 912-651-6450). Savannah and Chatham County are separate governments: businesses inside city limits license with the city, not the county. A Business Location Approval Application, reviewed by Development Services to confirm zoning and building/fire code compliance, is required before the certificate is issued. Home-based tutoring businesses that receive students at the premises should confirm whether this triggers additional zoning review.

   Official government source

   Not published on the city's Business License page - confirm the current fee with the City of Savannah Revenue Department·1–3 weeks

   Not published on the city's Business License page - confirm the current fee with the City of Savannah Revenue Department

   1–3 weeks

2. Home-Based Business Zoning Compliance (if tutoring from home)

   Savannah does not appear to offer a separate, named 'Home Occupation Permit' product. If you tutor students from your home within Savannah city limits, home-based business activity is governed by the city's zoning ordinance, administered by Development Services. Most cities allow professional services like tutoring from home but may restrict student traffic frequency, parking, signage, or hours of operation. Verify zoning compliance directly with Savannah Development Services before operating.

   Official government source

   Confirm with Savannah Development Services·1–4 weeks

   Confirm with Savannah Development Services

   1–4 weeks

Official Sources

• Savannah Business Licensing
• Georgia Department of Revenue — Sales and Use Tax Registration

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