Filing requirements relaxed for businesses

In recent years, businesses renewing their business licenses in Georgia have been required to submit two affidavits with their renewal: 1) A SAVE affidavit affirming that the renewal applicant has legal status to work in the U.S., and 2) an E-Verify affidavit indicating whether or not the business is required to participate in the federal E-Verify program based on that business’s number of employees.

State Senate Bill 160 relaxed that standard. Now, as long as the business renewal applicant is a U.S. citizen who has already filed a valid SAVE affidavit previously, that applicant is not required to re-file a SAVE affidavit with their renewal. Legal permanent residents and qualified aliens will continue to be required to submit a SAVE affidavit with their renewal. Businesses that do not comply with this requirement will not receive a business license.

 Businesses with less than 10 employees that have already filed an E-Verify affidavit are no longer required to submit an E-Verify affidavit with their renewal either. Businesses with 10 or more employees are required to provide their E-Verify number annually with their renewal. Businesses that do not comply with this requirement will be reported to the State.

 New business applicants need to complete both affidavits.

When we send renewal notices to local businesses this fall, we plan to send invoices along with blank affidavits if our records show that your business still needs to file one or both affidavits. If our records indicate that you are exempt from filing based on the criteria above, we’ll just send you an invoice. If your business has experienced a change in ownership or has grown beyond 10 employees within the past year, please call us at 404-370-4100 as those changes will affect your filing requirements.