Real Estate Agent Permits & Licenses in Savannah, Georgia

Required for all LLCs. Annual registration required separately (see below).

All active LLCs must file annually.

Requires 75-hour pre-license course, passing state exam (75% score), and affiliation with licensed broker. LLC itself does not hold license; applies to agent(s).

Prerequisites: 3 years active salesperson experience, 60-hour broker course, exam. Most agents start as salespersons.

Must designate a qualifying broker. LLC registers as firm.

Required statewide if using assumed/trade name. Renew every 5 years ($25).

Obtain Georgia Tax ID via Georgia Tax Center portal.

Real estate brokerage services are generally not subject to Georgia sales tax, as services are typically exempt. However, if the LLC sells taxable items (e.g., rental of equipment, sale of digital products), registration is required. Most real estate agents do not collect sales tax on commissions or services.

Required for employers to withhold Georgia income tax from employee wages. Not applicable to sole proprietors or single-member LLC owners without employees unless they pay themselves W-2 wages.

Employers must register with the Georgia Department of Labor to pay unemployment insurance taxes. Not required for self-employed real estate agents without employees.

Most LLCs are pass-through entities and do not pay corporate income tax. If the LLC elects corporate taxation, it must file Form 700. Most real estate agents operating as LLCs are not subject to this tax.

All LLCs in Georgia must file an Annual Registration with the Secretary of State by April 1 each year. This includes a $50 fee and is separate from federal or state tax filings. Required regardless of revenue or activity level.

Many Georgia cities and counties require a local business license or privilege tax certificate (e.g., Atlanta, Savannah, Augusta). Fees and requirements vary. Real estate agents must check with their local tax commissioner or city clerk. Example: City of Atlanta Business Tax Certificate at https://www.atlantaga.gov/departments/finance.

Required for all businesses including real estate agents; LLC must register with gross receipts reported

Atlanta businesses exempt if city-licensed; real estate classified under professional services

Limits clients/no signage/traffic; must comply with zoning district rules (e.g., no more than 25% of home used)

Confirms property zoned for professional office use (e.g., O-I district for real estate)

Wall/monument signs limited by zoning; real estate "for sale" signs have separate rules

Required for office build-outs; electrical/plumbing separate permits

While not a direct business operation requirement, real estate agents must comply with the Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act. They must ensure buyers/tenants receive EPA-approved disclosure forms and any available lead hazard information. This is a federal requirement enforced through transaction compliance, not business registration.

Real estate agents must ensure all advertising (online, print, social media) is truthful, not misleading, and substantiated. This includes claims about property values, commission rates, or market performance. The FTC enforces against deceptive practices under Section 5 of the FTC Act. Specific rules apply to online advertising and endorsements.

Real estate offices typically "B" occupancy; extinguishers/exits checked

Required for all commercial alarms; user code issued

Issued after zoning/building/fire approvals; real estate office = Business Occupancy

Mandatory for employers with three or more employees (full-time, part-time, or temporary) in Georgia. Sole proprietors without employees are exempt. Real estate agents who are employees (not independent contractors) count toward threshold.

Not legally required by Georgia state law for real estate agents. However, often required by commercial leases, clients, or brokerage agreements. Considered strongly recommended for protection against third-party bodily injury or property damage claims.

Required by Georgia Real Estate Commission Rule 505-1-.01(2)(a): All licensed real estate brokers and salespersons must maintain errors and omissions insurance coverage. This applies regardless of business structure (including LLCs). Coverage must be from a carrier authorized in Georgia. Minimum coverage typically $250,000 per claim.

A $50,000 surety bond is required for all Georgia real estate brokers (individual or LLC) as part of licensure. This bond protects consumers against financial loss due to violations of Georgia Real Estate License Law. Not required for salespersons working under a broker. Filed with GREC using Form R-8.

Georgia law requires all motor vehicles registered to a business to carry minimum liability coverage: $25,000 bodily injury per person, $50,000 per accident, and $25,000 for property damage (25/50/25). Applies if the LLC owns vehicles used for business purposes (e.g., client transportation, signage). Personal vehicles used occasionally for real estate do not require commercial policy if covered under personal auto policy with business use endorsement.

Not required for real estate agents in Georgia, as they do not manufacture, distribute, or sell physical goods. This insurance is relevant only for businesses selling tangible products. Real estate services are not considered products under product liability law.

Not required for real estate agents unless the business hosts events where alcohol is served and sold. Georgia requires liquor liability insurance only for businesses holding an alcohol license (e.g., bars, restaurants). Real estate open houses with alcohol do not require a license if no sale occurs and consumption is incidental.

All LLCs are required to obtain an EIN regardless of whether they have employees. This is used for federal tax purposes. Even single-member LLCs without employees may need an EIN if they elect to be taxed as a corporation or have retirement plans.

A single-member LLC is typically treated as a disregarded entity and reports income on Schedule C of Form 1040. A multi-member LLC is treated as a partnership and must file Form 1065. If the LLC elects corporate taxation, it must file Form 1120. Real estate agents must also report commissions as taxable income.

Applies only if the LLC has employees. Real estate agencies with office staff must comply with general industry standards (29 CFR 1910), including maintaining a safe workplace, posting OSHA notices, and recording work-related injuries. Most requirements are minimal for non-industrial office environments.

Real estate agents must ensure that any physical office space or client meeting locations are accessible to individuals with disabilities. This includes entrances, restrooms, and common areas. Virtual-only operations have limited obligations but must ensure digital accessibility (e.g., websites compatible with screen readers) under Title III.

All U.S. employers, including LLCs, must complete Form I-9 for each employee to verify identity and work authorization. Applies only if the real estate agent hires staff. Independent contractors do not require I-9 forms.

If the LLC hires employees (e.g., administrative staff), it must comply with FLSA requirements for minimum wage, overtime pay (1.5x regular rate after 40 hours/week), and recordkeeping. Real estate agents themselves are typically independent contractors and not covered under FLSA as employees.

FMLA applies only to employers meeting the size threshold. Most real estate agent LLCs are small and exempt. If threshold is met, eligible employees must be granted up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave annually for qualifying reasons.

Real estate agents must clearly disclose material connections (e.g., referral fees, affiliate links) when promoting services or properties on social media or blogs. Failure to disclose paid endorsements violates FTC guidelines. Applies to all forms of digital marketing.

There is no federal license for real estate agents. Licensing is regulated entirely at the state level by the Georgia Real Estate Commission. Federal agencies such as FDA, ATF, FCC, and DOT do not issue licenses for real estate brokerage activities.

All LLCs formed or registered in Georgia must file an annual registration each year. This is separate from federal or state tax filings. The filing must be completed online via the Georgia Secretary of State’s website.

Real estate agents in Georgia must renew their license every two years. The renewal period begins March 1. This applies to all active real estate salespersons and brokers. License is tied to the individual, not the LLC.

Active licensees must complete 36 hours of approved continuing education every two years, including 3 hours of legal update and 3 hours of brokerage management. CE must be completed through GREC-approved providers.

If the LLC employs staff, it must file Form 941 (quarterly), Form 940 (annually), and Form W-2/W-3 annually. These are federal tax withholding and unemployment tax obligations.

Employers in Georgia must register for a Georgia Taxpayer Identification Number (GTIN) and file Form G-10 (Withholding Tax Return) based on withholding frequency assigned by DOR.

While real estate brokerage services are generally exempt from sales tax in Georgia, certain ancillary services or items may be taxable. Brokers should confirm nexus and taxability. Most real estate agents do not collect sales tax, but must still register if engaged in taxable activity.

LLCs must maintain accurate books and records including financial statements, contracts, tax filings, and ownership documents. IRS recommends keeping tax records for at least 3 years. Georgia may require retention of corporate records (e.g., operating agreements, meeting minutes) indefinitely or for 6 years post-dissolution.

Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 43-40-18) requires that a real estate agent’s current license be displayed at the location where they conduct business. If operating under an LLC, the license must be visibly posted at the LLC’s principal place of business or home office if virtual.

Some municipalities in Georgia (e.g., Atlanta, Sandy Springs) require a local business license or tax certificate. These must often be displayed at the place of business. Requirements vary by location; check with local clerk’s office.

Self-employed real estate agents must make quarterly estimated tax payments covering federal income and self-employment tax. Due dates are not fixed to calendar quarters but follow IRS schedule.

Individuals and pass-through entities must make quarterly estimated tax payments to Georgia. Use Form IT-ES for individuals. Due dates align with federal schedule but may vary slightly.

Commercial office spaces may be subject to periodic fire and safety inspections by local authorities. Home-based offices are typically exempt unless zoned commercially or used for client meetings. Contact local fire marshal for specific requirements.

Employers must display current federal and state labor law posters, including OSHA Workplace Safety, Equal Employment Opportunity, and Georgia Minimum Wage. Posters must be visible to employees. Available free from DOL and GADOL websites.