New state law changes business license process

Businesses in Gwinnett County will soon receive occupation tax certificate renewal forms in the mail, but before certificates can be renewed, applicants must comply with new state requirements that went into effect on Jan. 1. During the 2011 legislative session, the Georgia General Assembly passed the Illegal Immigration Reform and Enforcement Act (House Bill 87), placing new requirements on local governments and businesses to ensure they comply with federal and state immigration laws.

The first requirement calls for any person, corporation or LLC seeking a public benefit—such as an occupation tax certificate (business license), alcohol license or contract—to submit a Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) affidavit and present a secure and verifiable document as approved by the state Attorney General. Examples of the approved documents include a driver’s license, passport or legal immigrant documentation.

The second requirement calls for private employers with 500 or more employees seeking an initial or renewal occupation tax certificate to register for and use the E-verify program and sign an E-Verify affidavit. Private employers with fewer than 500 employees are required to sign an affidavit stating that they are not required to register for or use the E-verify program before they can receive an occupation tax certificate.

These new requirements limit the County’s ability to receive renewal applications by mail; therefore, renewal applications will be accepted in person at the License and Revenue Office, located at 446 West Crogan Street, in Lawrenceville from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, or through License and Revenue’s new electronic renewal system, which can be accessed at www.gwinnettlicrev.com.
Planning and Development Acting Director Bryan Lackey said, “This new electronic system is an alternative to making an in-person visit to the License and Revenue Office and will hopefully reduce long wait times that we anticipate due to expected heavy walk-in traffic.”

Businesses will receive the E-verify affidavit, SAVE affidavit and occupation tax renewal form in the mail along with instructions on how to file these documents. For more information, visit www.gwinnettlicrev.com or call (678) 377-410o.