New Small Business Occupation Tax Waiver

Starting January 1, 2018, the City of Atlanta will waive occupation taxes for up to five (5) years for small businesses opening a location in areas targeted for commercial development.

The purpose of the City of Atlanta New Small Business Occupation Tax Waiver Program is to encourage new investment and job growth in some of the City's less developed commercial areas.

A small business opening a new location and/or relocating in a designated area will receive a waiver of occupational taxes for five (5) years from the date the new Business Occupational Tax Certificate (Business License) is issued. Search this map to determine if your business is eligible.

If you have additional questions related to the New Small Business Occupation Tax Waiver program, please contact Atlanta 311(ATL311) by dialing 3-1-1.

Businesses participating in this program are solely exempt from Occupation Taxes. No other registration fees, zoning fees or taxes are waived.

How do I apply?

The City of Atlanta’s Business Licensing and Regulatory Permitting Online Portal has launched and is available for immediate use. The new portal can be accessed here: https://atlantaga-energovweb.tylerhost.net/apps/selfservice#/home

A valid email address is required to register for an account, submit a new or renewal application or check the status of an application. Instructions for registering can be found here. Instructions for applying for an account can be found here. Subscribe for updates by texting ATLCORE to 888777 or scan QR code below:

QR code for Business Licensing and Regulatory Permitting Online Portal. Scan to subscribe.

Am I eligible?

Must be a small business. Small Businesses are defined as businesses that are independently owned and operated with an annual gross revenue of less than $1,000,000.
Must be opening a new location in an eligible area. A business may be a start-up, opening an additional location or relocating from outside of the eligible area. Find out if the location is in the eligible area by searching the map.
Must NOT be one of the following: home occupation, internet-based business and/or a professional or insurance license holder.

I have multiple locations within the City of Atlanta, may I register a new location within the designated areas?

How were the target areas determined?

Do I have to renew my Business Occupational Tax Certificate (business license) annually if I receive the tax waiver?

How long is the tax waiver applied to my qualifying business?

Are all my taxes and fees waived annually?

What if I project business revenue to be less than $1,000,000, but my business ends up with revenues over $1,000,000? Will I still qualify?

May I register my existing business or a business that was new prior to January 1, 2018?