An occupation tax certificate (business license) is nontransferable. The certificate is terminated when business ownership changes and/or business location changes. A change in ownership requires the new owner to apply for a new business license. Changes in location or business activity/description requires approval. Advise the Financial Services Division immediately of any changes to your business, especially if the business has ceased to operate. Applicable forms are located below.
Quick Links
- Change of Information
- Closure of Business
- Contacting Our Staff
- Forms & Applications
- Frequently Asked Questions
Contact
Hours
Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Change of Information
Please submit the following form/documentation:
- Change of Information Form
- Lease agreement
- Copy of applicant’s identification (Either a valid/current passport, driver’s license, or military ID)
- Professional state license, if applicable
Submitting Forms/Documentation
The Change of Information Form and supporting documentation may be submitted in 1 of the following ways:
- Online: Change of Information Form
- Email: businessregistration@roswellgov.com
- Mail: 38 Hill Street Suite 120, Roswell, GA 30075
- In-Person: Roswell City Hall, 38 Hill Street Suite 120, Roswell, GA 30075
Closure of Business
All occupation tax must be paid in full prior to close a business account.
Please submit the following form:
Submitting Forms/Documentation
The Final Closure of Business Form may be submitted in 1 of the following ways:
- Online: Final Closure of Business Form
- Email: businessregistration@roswellgov.com
- Mail: 38 Hill Street Suite 120, Roswell, GA 30075
- In-Person: Roswell City Hall, 38 Hill Street Suite 120, Roswell, GA 30075
Contacting Our Staff
Our staff would be happy to assist you. Before contacting us, please be sure to have your Business Account ID or the business address readily available. This will ensure fast and efficient assistance.
Also, please look over the FAQs section for additional assistance.
If you still need assistance, please contact the Financial Services Division at (770) 594-6235 or email Business Registration and include the Business Account ID in the subject line.
Forms & Applications
- Change of Information Form
- Final Closure of Business Form
- Insurance License Application
- Affidavit for Public Benefit Application (PDF)
- Business License (Occupation Tax) Schedule of Rates (2025) (PDF)
- Business License Renewal Application Packet (2025) (PDF)
- New Commercial Business License Application Packet (2025) (PDF)
- New Home Business License Application Packet (2025) (PDF)
- Private Employer Affidavit of Compliance (PDF)
FAQs
You are required to submit the Final Business Closure Form to the Business Registration Division, if you have closed or sold your business.
Yes. Please provide an attached list to your renewal and the fee of $400 per practitioner who work in your location.
Only practitioners listed in O.C.G.A 48-13-9(C) (1-18) can pay the flat fee, which includes but are not limited to: lawyers, physicians, osteopaths, chiropractors, podiatrists, dentists, optometrists, psychologists, veterinarians, landscape architects, land surveyors, practitioners of physiotherapy, public accountants, embalmers, funeral directors, engineers, architects, marriage and family therapists, or counselors.
Practitioners have the option to either pay the gross receipt assessment or pay a flat fee of $400 per practitioner.
Professional Licensed businesses are regulated by the Georgia Secretary of State. A copy of your Georgia state license must be attached to the application for processing. For more information on how to obtain a Georgia Professional State License, please visit the Georgia Secretary of State website.
If your company has 11 or more W-2 employees who work 35 hours or more per week and withhold payroll taxes, your company is required to have an e-verify number. To obtain an e-verify number, please go to the E-Verify website.
Please note: If you have 11 or more employees, your Occupational Business Certificate will not be issued until the city receives your E-Verify number. Your E-Verify number is 4 to 6 digits in length and must be numerical only with no alpha characters.
The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) is the standard used by federal statistical agencies in classifying business establishments for the purpose of collecting, analyzing, and publishing statistical data related to the U.S. business economy.
For more information, please contact Resident and Business Services at (770) 641-3727 or email.
The City of Roswell business occupation tax is based on the total gross receipts of the business in combination with the most current profitability ratios, NAICS Code, number of employees (if more than 99), administrative and regulatory fees. The current schedule of rates is available below:
Gross receipts are the total amount a business received from all sources during its annual accounting period, without subtracting any costs or expenses. Business types are categorized by NAICS (North American Industry Classification System) codes as define below. This code is assigned a profitability index which corresponds with a specific tax rate. The tax rate applied to gross receipts will determine the tax assessment. The current schedule of rates is available below:
No. If your Roswell business relocates within the City of Roswell limits, you must first notify the City of Roswell Business Registration Division of this change.
You will be required to complete a Change of Information Form (at no additional charge) in order for the Fire Department and Planning & Zoning Division to review the new location and complete any necessary inspections.
The following uses are specifically prohibited as home occupations (list not all inclusive): auto sales or auto repair, restaurants; animal hospitals, veterinary clinics, kennels, or the keeping of animals; funeral homes; retail or wholesale shops; machine shops; personal service establishments; special event facilities; or lodging services. Other restrictions can be confirmed with the Planning and Zoning Division.
Business licenses expire on December 31 of each calendar year. You will receive an official billing notification in December explaining how to determine your business occupation tax amount.
The occupation tax due date is March 15. Failure to renew a business license prior to March 15 will result in a 10% penalty.
For more information, please contact Resident and Business Services at (770) 641-3727 or email.
Please visit the Roswell Permitting & Licensing page to learn more about paying for your license.
Yes. Nonprofit organizations located in Roswell must register as a business with the City of Roswell. Although nonprofits fall within the City of Roswell's definition of a business (see Code of Ordinances, sec. 10.3.1), they are exempt from paying occupation taxes. Nonprofits must register with the City of Roswell using the Roswell Permitting & Licensing page. For more information, please contact Resident and Business Services at (770) 641-3727 or email.