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DeKalb County, GA Local Taxes & Fees: Business Tax Classification (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

Classification basis
dominant line of business
Tax basis
gross receipts + profitability ratio
Administered by
planning and sustainability department
Scope
unincorporated DeKalb County only

Summary

Unincorporated DeKalb County classifies each business by its dominant line of activity to set the occupation tax rate on gross receipts, per Code Section 15-28(c).

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of DeKalb County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

At the time of business registration, such person shall also identify to the department the line or lines of business that the business conducts. Classification of businesses for occupation tax purposes shall be based on the dominant line of business conducted.(d)Each separate business trade name shall be subject to the provisions of this article and shall fully comply with all county code requirements before engaging in, pursuing or carrying on any business within the county.(e)Failure or refusal to provide information requested by the county for the purpose of classification of a business, assessment, audit, or levying of occupation taxes, regulatory fees or administrative costs, or regarding the site of a location or office and taxes or fees paid to other local governments may result in the denial of such application and may be punished as provided in section 1-10 of this Code.(f)Upon compliance with subsections (a) through (e) of this section, the director shall issue to the applicant or holder a business occupation tax certificate, without which no person shall be engaged in, pursue, or carry on any business within the unincorporated portion of the county. The business occupation tax certificate shall serve as a business license. Additional business licenses may be required as established in this Code or in state law. (Ord. No. 18-05, Pt. I, 10-23-18)

Full Breakdown

At registration, every business operating in unincorporated DeKalb County must tell the planning and sustainability department the line or lines of business it conducts. County Code Section 15-28(c) directs the department to classify the business for occupation tax purposes based on its dominant line, the activity generating the greatest share of income, with the tax itself set under Section 15-26 by gross receipts combined with a profitability ratio and employee count.

Violations & Fines

Refusing to provide classification information for tax assessment or audit purposes can result in application denial and prosecution under Section 1-10 of the county code.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does DeKalb County decide which occupation tax rate a business pays?
It classifies the business by its dominant line of business, whichever activity brings in the most income, under Code Section 15-28(c).
Does DeKalb's occupation tax classification apply to businesses in Decatur or Chamblee?
No: this is a county tax for the unincorporated area only; incorporated cities like Decatur and Chamblee levy their own occupation taxes.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in DeKalb County

All DeKalb County rules

Compare DeKalb County to another location·View the Georgia local taxes & fees overview

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