The Business License/ Registration/ Occupation Tax Certificate New Application Check-Off List is the Cobb County Business License Division's checklist of what a complete new application package must include. It is one of the resources for anyone seeking a Cobb County business license or Occupation Tax Certificate for a new business, and it covers the signed application, two notarized affidavits, identification and, for commercial addresses, a Certificate of Occupancy. On this page you can fill out the checklist online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF; the county publishes the original PDF at the link on this page.
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What is Business License/ Registration/ Occupation Tax Certificate New Application Check-Off List – Cobb County, GA?
The Business License/ Registration/ Occupation Tax Certificate New Application Check-Off List is the Cobb County Business License Division checklist that lists every document a complete new business application package must contain, from the signed application and affidavits to identification and a Certificate of Occupancy.
The checklist explains why the package is required: the Georgia Immigration Reform Act, effective January 1, 2012, requires all applicants filing a new business application for a Cobb County Occupation Tax Certificate or Business License to provide the listed information and documents. It is not the application itself. The application form is the first item on the list, and the checklist adds the Private Employer Affidavit, the HB87 citizenship affidavit, a secure and verifiable document, proof of work authorization for non-citizens and a Certificate of Occupancy for commercial addresses.
The checklist also sets out the order of the process. You first email the complete package to the Division to get your fee amount. You then bring the signed originals of all documents, with the fee payment, to the Division's office, or mail the package if it must be mailed. A separate paragraph covers expedited processing for the registration of company vehicles.
Who needs to file Business License/ Registration/ Occupation Tax Certificate New Application Check-Off List – Cobb County, GA?
Anyone filing a new business application for a Cobb County Occupation Tax Certificate or Business License uses this checklist to assemble the package. It applies to every such applicant, as the Georgia Immigration Reform Act requirement it cites covers all applicants filing a new business application.
Conditions the checklist attaches:
- Signer: the application must be signed by an owner or a W-2 employee of the company. The same person must sign both affidavits, and the secure and verifiable document must also be that person's.
- Private Employer Affidavit: required even if the business has no employees. Employers with 11 or more employees must register with and use E-Verify and give the E-Verify number on the affidavit.
- Non-U.S. citizens: must also provide an I-551 or I766.
- Commercial addresses: every new business, new tenant or new building needs a Certificate of Occupancy. This does not apply to residential businesses or customary home occupations.
- Company vehicle registration: a local representative or employee can bring the signed originals to the office to expedite processing.
When to file Business License/ Registration/ Occupation Tax Certificate New Application Check-Off List – Cobb County, GA
Use the checklist when you file a new business application for a Cobb County Occupation Tax Certificate or Business License, because the complete package must accompany that application. The checklist prints no separate deadline.
Obtain the Certificate of Occupancy for the commercial business address as part of the package; the checklist says every new business, new tenant or new building needs one. The order of steps is fixed: email the complete package to get the fee amount, then bring the signed originals with payment to the Division's office, or mail the package if it must be mailed. For questions, the checklist gives the Division's phone number, 770-528-8410, and the Fire Marshall's Office number for Certificate of Occupancy questions, (770)528-8310.
Documents you need
- Completed occupation tax certificate/business license Application form, signed by an owner or a W-2 employee of the company.
- Completed, signed and notarized Private Employer Affidavit (required by O. C. G. A. 36-60-6(d)), required even if the business has no employees, signed by the same person who signs the application.
- E-Verify number (Federal Work Authorization User Identification Number), entered on the Private Employer Affidavit, only for employers with 11 or more employees. It is not your Federal Tax I.D. Number.
- Completed, signed and notarized HB87 citizenship affidavit, required by the Georgia Immigration Reform Act, signed by the same person who signs the application.
- One secure and verifiable document, such as a valid driver's license or passport, belonging to the person who signs; provide it in person or by email to [email protected].
- An I-551 or I766, only if the signer is not a U.S. citizen; provide it in person or by email to [email protected].
- Cobb County Certificate of Occupancy for the commercial business address on the application, as required by State law and/or local ordinance. Not required for residential businesses or customary home occupations.
- Fee payment, brought with the signed originals once the Division has emailed you the fee amount: a check payable to Cobb County Business License, or a VISA or MC debit or credit card.
How to fill out Business License/ Registration/ Occupation Tax Certificate New Application Check-Off List – Cobb County, GA
Confirm this is a new application
Use the checklist when you file a new business application for a Cobb County Occupation Tax Certificate or Business License. Check each box as you gather the matching item.
Complete and sign the application form
Check the first box once the occupation tax certificate/business license Application form is completed. An owner or a W-2 employee of the company must sign it.
Prepare the Private Employer Affidavit
Have the affidavit completed, signed and notarized, even if you have no employees. If you have 11 or more employees, enter your E-Verify number on it, not your Federal Tax I.D. Number.
Prepare the HB87 citizenship affidavit
Complete, sign and notarize the HB87 citizenship affidavit. The same person who signed the application must sign it.
Gather the secure and verifiable document
Check the box for one document such as a valid driver's license or passport. It must be the signer's own and be provided in person or by email.
Add an I-551 or I766 if needed
If the signer is not a U.S. citizen, check the box and include an I-551 or I766, provided in person or electronically.
Obtain the Certificate of Occupancy
For a commercial business address, obtain the Cobb County Certificate of Occupancy before submitting. It does not apply to residential businesses or customary home occupations.
Email the package to get your fee
Check the box under GET YOUR FEE AMOUNT after emailing the complete package to the Division. Wait for the reply stating your fee.
Review and download the completed PDF
Confirm that every document carries the same name and signature, then download or print the completed checklist from FillingPDF. Assemble the package and submit it through the channels described under How to submit.
How to submit Business License/ Registration/ Occupation Tax Certificate New Application Check-Off List – Cobb County, GA
The checklist describes three steps: email the package to get your fee, bring the originals to the office, or mail or courier them if you cannot come in.
- Email for the fee: send the complete package to [email protected]. The Division replies by email with the fee for your Occupation Tax Certificate/Business License. The county's forms page lists [email protected] for this purpose, so confirm the address with the Division at 770-528-8410 before sending.
- In person: bring the signed originals of all documents in the complete package, with the fee payment, to 1150 Powder Springs Street, Suite 400, Marietta, GA 30064. The U.S. Postal Service does not deliver mail to this address. The office accepts checks payable to Cobb County Business License or debit and credit cards (VISA and MC only). Your secure and verifiable document and any I-551 or I766 can also be provided electronically to the email above.
- By mail: Cobb County Business License, P. O. Box 649, Marietta, GA 30061-0649. The county's page says to mail the application after the fees have been assessed. The Division will not confirm receipt of mail.
- By courier: if you need proof of delivery, send the package by UPS, FEDEX or another courier to Cobb County Business License Division, 1150 Powder Springs Street, Suite 400, Marietta, Georgia 30064.
- Company vehicle registration: to expedite, have a local representative or employee bring the signed originals and payment to the physical address above.
FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Having different people sign the application and the two affidavits; the checklist says the same person must sign all three and that all documents must carry the same name and signature.
- Submitting the Private Employer Affidavit or the HB87 citizenship affidavit without notarization; both must be signed and notarized.
- Skipping the Private Employer Affidavit because the business has no employees; it is required even then.
- Entering the Federal Tax I.D. Number where the E-Verify number (Federal Work Authorization User Identification Number) is requested, for employers with 11 or more employees.
- Providing a driver's license or passport that belongs to someone other than the person who signs the application.
- Leaving out an I-551 or I766 when the signer is not a U.S. citizen.
- Omitting the Certificate of Occupancy for a commercial business address, which every new business, new tenant or new building needs.
- Mailing documents to 1150 Powder Springs Street through the U.S. Postal Service, which does not deliver there; use P. O. Box 649 for mail or a courier for that street address.
- Expecting the Division to confirm receipt of mailed documents; it will not, so use a courier if you need proof of delivery.
Frequently asked questions
What do I need to apply for a Cobb County business license?
For a new Cobb County business license or Occupation Tax Certificate, the package needs the signed application, a notarized Private Employer Affidavit, a notarized HB87 citizenship affidavit, one secure and verifiable document, and a Certificate of Occupancy for a commercial address. Non-citizens add an I-551 or I766.
Do I need the Private Employer Affidavit if I have no employees?
Yes. The checklist says the notarized Private Employer Affidavit is required even if the business has no employees. Employers with 11 or more employees must also register with E-Verify and enter the E-Verify number on the affidavit.
Who has to sign the application and affidavits?
An owner or a W-2 employee of the company signs the application. The same person must sign both affidavits, and the secure and verifiable document, such as a driver's license or passport, must be that person's as well.
How do I find out the fee for a new Cobb County business license?
Email the complete package to [email protected], and the Division emails back the fee for your Occupation Tax Certificate/Business License. The checklist does not print the amount. Call 770-528-8410 if you have questions.
Where do I bring or mail my Cobb County business license package?
Bring the signed originals and payment to 1150 Powder Springs Street, Suite 400, Marietta, GA 30064. By mail, use P. O. Box 649, Marietta, GA 30061-0649. The Postal Service does not deliver to the street address; use a courier there.
How can I pay for the business license?
The office accepts checks payable to Cobb County Business License, or debit and credit cards, VISA and MC only. Payment goes with the signed originals when you bring them to the office, after you have received the fee amount by email.
Do I need a Certificate of Occupancy for a home-based business?
No. The checklist says the Certificate of Occupancy requirement does not apply to residential businesses or customary home occupations. Every new commercial business, new tenant or new building needs one; call the Fire Marshall's Office at (770)528-8310 with questions.
Can I fill out the Cobb County new application check-off list online?
You can fill out the checklist PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is an independent service and does not submit anything to Cobb County; you send the package to the Business License Division through its own channels.
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