LaunchPath

Flagship channel-state reference guide

Start Facebook Marketplace in Georgia: full reference guide

Use this page when you want the complete dense version: all sections, all appendices, and the full official source directory in one scrollable reference surface.

Last verified: April 26, 2026 Reference mode Dense appendix

Built from reviewed public pages for Georgia, IRS, FinCEN, Atlanta, Facebook Marketplace. Use it as a first-pass guide, then verify the official links that match your setup.

How to use this page

Dense appendix modeFull source directory attachedLast verified April 26, 2026

This version favors completeness over pacing. Use it when you need the appendix, the dense source trail, or the full long-form reference in one place.

Best reading order

  1. Use the fast-answer and official-links sections first if you only need the main route and source trail.
  2. Open the entity, setup, tax, and local sections only where your exact launch path actually branches.
  3. Use the full source directory last as the appendix, not the starting point, unless you already know the exact agency task.
Fast answer appendix Official links first Full source directory
Back to the guided journey

Reference mode

Everything in one dense page

The guided journey is the easier starting point. This page keeps the full accordion guide and source appendix when you want the complete research-backed reference view.

Best when you need

  • The full section map in one scroll without the lighter journey framing.
  • The appendix and official-source directory preserved next to the answer sections.
  • A clearer audit trail before you print, compare, or cross-check another route.

Still better handled in the journey

  • First-pass reading when you want the shortest, safest beginner route.
  • Deciding what to do first before you need the full appendix.
  • Switching states or platforms quickly without reading the full dense version.
Reference map
Start here Fast answer If you want to open Facebook Marketplace in Georgia, you usually need to do five things in order: Everyone 2 steps

If you want to open Facebook Marketplace in Georgia, you usually need to do five things in order:

  1. Choose your setup: sole proprietorship vs single-member LLC.
  2. Decide which Facebook Marketplace branch you are actually using:

Practical first-launch recommendation

If you are testing casually with minimal risk, sole proprietor can work.

If you intend to build a real inventory business and use Facebook Marketplace as one of several channels, single-member LLC is usually the better long-term path.

Avoid these first-launch mistakes

  • Treating every Facebook Marketplace sale like a marketplace-facilitated tax sale when many local transactions are actually direct sales
  • Assuming shipping/checkout is available just because public help articles exist
  • Assuming shipping/checkout uses one universal payout rail or one universal seller-protection rule

Georgia-specific friction

Georgia tax registration is straightforward for a true direct seller but less clean for a seller trying to rely only on marketplace-facilitated checkout.

  • Georgia tax registration is straightforward for a true direct seller but less clean for a seller trying to rely only on marketplace-facilitated checkout.
  • Form ST-5 and tax-free resale treatment are stricter than many founders expect because Georgia wants a valid sales-tax registration number at the time of purchase when required.
  • Atlanta adds a real city occupational-tax and zoning branch.
  • County trade-name filing is still local, not state-level.

Facebook Marketplace-specific friction

Public Facebook help says Marketplace is intended for consumers and that businesses that list may be blocked or have listings removed.

  • Public Facebook help says Marketplace is intended for consumers and that businesses that list may be blocked or have listings removed.
  • Access depends on the main profile and can be limited by account history.
  • Shipping/checkout is not available to all users.
  • Public shipping help and public Meta merchant-policy material are partly framed around individual sellers, not a stable broad seller baseline.
  • The public onsite-checkout fee posture for individual sellers is 5% per transaction with a minimum fee of $0.40.
  • Public seller protection is limited: it is U.S.-only, tied to eligible onsite orders, capped at covered items priced at $2,000 or less, and does not protect ordinary local or off-platform payment deals.
  • Public payout help references more than one payout path, so do not build the beginner plan around one assumed payout method.
  • Listing limits can block high-volume scaling.
  • Local in-person sales are not protected the same way eligible checkout purchases are.

Insurance reality

No public Facebook Marketplace seller-liability-insurance threshold or universal insurance requirement was identified in the public help pages reviewed on April 26, 2026.

  • No public Facebook Marketplace seller-liability-insurance threshold or universal insurance requirement was identified in the public help pages reviewed on April 26, 2026.
  • That is not the same as having no insurance risk.
  • If you hold inventory, meet buyers at your property, or ship physical products regularly, re-check your homeowners, renters, landlord, carrier, and commercial-liability coverage separately before scaling.
Back to top Next: Quick-start checklist
Checklist Quick-start checklist Use the research-backed checklist groups before you spend, before your first sale, and before launch goes live. Everyone 3 groups

Do these before you spend money

  • Pick your entity.
  • Pick your business name.
  • Decide whether you are using Facebook Marketplace only for direct local/message-based deals or whether you are relying on shipping/checkout if the feature is available.
  • Stay in low-risk general merchandise.
  • Avoid services, regulated goods, recalled products, medical or healthcare items, animals, counterfeit-heavy goods, and high-risk categories for the first launch.
  • Make sure you can document sourcing and item condition.
  • Do not assume Facebook Marketplace is a clean high-scale business platform. The public help center still says Marketplace is intended for consumers and that businesses that list may be blocked or have listings removed.

Do these before your first sale

  • Form the business or file your county trade name if needed.
  • Get an EIN from the IRS if applicable.
  • Open a dedicated business bank account.
  • Register for Georgia tax accounts that apply to your actual sales branch.
  • Resolve the Form ST-5 branch before buying inventory tax-free for resale.
  • Check local permits, occupational tax, and zoning or home-business rules.
  • Confirm you can access Marketplace from your main Facebook profile and that the account is in good standing.

Do these before launch goes live

  • Build the first listing accurately and keep the description, condition, and meetup or shipping method realistic.
  • Keep direct local and shipping/checkout records separate if you use both.
  • Start with one or two low-risk listings so a tax or policy mistake does not scale.
  • Re-check any live Facebook Marketplace shipping, checkout, payout, or tax-info screens you actually use that day.
Back to top Next: Official links you will use first
Choose your setup Entity choice Compare the sole-proprietor and single-member LLC paths before banking, tax setup, and platform onboarding. Everyone 2 options

Sole proprietor

Best for: Best if you want the cheapest and simplest start.

What it means

  • Georgia does not register sole proprietorships with the Secretary of State.
  • If you use a trade name instead of your legal name, Georgia routes that filing to the Clerk of Superior Court in the county where the business is located.
  • Business income generally runs through your personal tax return, but you still handle Georgia tax registration, local permits, and Facebook Marketplace requirements separately.
  • You usually do not get a liability shield.

Why someone chooses it

  • Faster launch
  • Lower up-front filing costs
  • Fewer entity maintenance steps

Main downside: Personal liability

single-member LLC

Best for: Best if you want a more durable setup for a real business.

What it means

  • Georgia LLC formation uses the Secretary of State filing path, a Georgia registered agent, and a recurring annual registration.
  • Georgia follows federal check-the-box classification rules for LLCs unless the LLC elects corporate treatment.
  • If the LLC is taxed as a corporation, separate corporate-tax and net-worth-tax rules can apply.

Why someone chooses it

  • Liability protection
  • Cleaner setup for banking, resale documentation, bookkeeping, and scaling
  • Better fit for inventory, employees, and long-term operations

Main downside: Higher setup friction and recurring maintenance than a sole proprietorship

Back to top Next: What to do in order
Main path What to do in order The full end-to-end setup path, kept in the same order as the researched guide. Everyone 14 steps

  1. Step 1: Choose a low-risk launch model

    Main guide step 1

    For a first launch, stay inside the safest lane:

    Why it matters: Practical rule: If the item touches health, safety, children, regulated chemicals, dangerous goods, recalled products, or heavy counterfeit risk, slow down and do category-specific compliance research before buying stock or publishing a listing. Facebook Marketplace product rule:

    • general merchandise
    • clearly described physical goods
    • low-breakage items you can photograph and inspect yourself
    • no high-risk categories from services, animals, healthcare products, recalled products, food, supplements, cosmetics, medical claims, batteries-heavy hazmat, alcohol, children's products
    • Public Marketplace help says listings must be physical products for sale.
    • Services are not allowed on Marketplace.

  2. Step 2: Choose your name and brand approach

    Main guide step 2

    You need to decide whether you are:

    Why it matters: Important:

    • operating under your own legal name,
    • using a county trade name or DBA,
    • reselling existing brands,
    • creating your own brand,
    • or just using Facebook Marketplace as a lead channel for local sales
    • Your listing name and profile do not replace the legal entity, tax, or bank records behind the business.
    • If you use a DBA in Georgia, the filing is county-level, not with the Secretary of State.
    • If you resell branded goods, keep invoices and authenticity records from day one.
    • Because Facebook Marketplace still describes itself publicly as a consumer marketplace and warns that businesses may be blocked, treat the platform-facing identity branch cautiously and keep a backup channel plan.

  3. Step 3: Form the business

    Main guide step 3

    If you choose sole proprietor: If you sell under your legal name, Georgia does not require a Secretary of State formation filing.

    • If you choose sole proprietor: If you sell under your legal name, Georgia does not require a Secretary of State formation filing.
    • If you choose sole proprietor: If you use a trade name, file it with the Clerk of Superior Court in the county where the business is located and publish the notice once a week for 2 consecutive weeks in the newspaper used for the sheriff's legal ads.
    • If you choose sole proprietor: Either way, still handle Department of Revenue registration and local licensing separately.
    • If you choose single-member LLC: Do this in order:
    • If you choose single-member LLC: Search Georgia business records and optionally reserve the name if you want extra hold time before filing.
    • If you choose single-member LLC: File Articles of Organization (CD 030) with the Georgia Secretary of State and appoint a Georgia registered agent.
    • If you choose single-member LLC: If you file by paper, include Transmittal Form - Limited Liability Company (CD 231).
    • If you choose single-member LLC: Track the LLC's first annual registration, which is due between January 1 and April 1 of the year following the calendar year in which the LLC was formed.
    • If you choose single-member LLC: If the LLC will use a public-facing name different from the LLC name, add the county trade-name branch separately.

  4. Step 4: Get your EIN

    Main guide step 4

    Use the IRS EIN application if applicable. For most LLCs this is required. For many sole proprietors it is optional, but it is still useful for banking, supplier paperwork, resale records, and cleaner tax setup.

    Why it matters: The IRS also says that if you are creating a legal entity, register it with the state before you apply for an EIN.

  5. Step 5: Open banking and bookkeeping

    Main guide step 5

    Do this right away:

    • Open a business checking account.
    • Keep business money separate from personal money.
    • Save every invoice, receipt, message-based sale record, shipping record, refund record, and tax record.
    • Keep a sourcing folder, a sales-tax folder, and a local-meetup or shipping folder from day one.

  6. Step 6: Register for state tax, seller permit, or resale setup

    Main guide step 6

    Georgia is the part that changes most depending on how you actually use Facebook Marketplace.

    • Branch A: direct local or other clearly direct sales: Use this branch if:
    • Branch A: direct local or other clearly direct sales: the buyer messages you on Marketplace,
    • Branch A: direct local or other clearly direct sales: you arrange pickup, door drop-off, public meetup, or off-platform shipping directly with the buyer,
    • Branch A: direct local or other clearly direct sales: and Facebook is not actually processing checkout for that sale
    • Branch A: direct local or other clearly direct sales: Why this is the direct-sale branch:
    • Branch A: direct local or other clearly direct sales: Facebook's public buying help says buyers can message the seller to arrange a sale.
    • Branch A: direct local or other clearly direct sales: Facebook's local pickup and drop-off tips say transactions are between the buyer and seller only and no third-party guarantee should be involved.
    • Branch A: direct local or other clearly direct sales: Georgia result:
    • Branch A: direct local or other clearly direct sales: Register through the Georgia Tax Center (GTC) as a dealer if you are selling taxable tangible personal property as a business.
    • Branch A: direct local or other clearly direct sales: The Georgia DOR tax-registration pages say any individual or entity meeting the definition of a dealer must register for a sales and use tax number regardless of whether sales are online, out of state, wholesale, or exempt.
    • Branch A: direct local or other clearly direct sales: This is the cleanest source-backed beginner path for a Georgia founder using Facebook Marketplace for ordinary local deals.
    • Branch B: shipping/checkout if the feature is available and Facebook is actually facilitating payment: Use this branch only if:
    • Branch B: shipping/checkout if the feature is available and Facebook is actually facilitating payment: the seller can actually offer shipping and checkout,
    • Branch B: shipping/checkout if the feature is available and Facebook is actually facilitating payment: Facebook is processing or facilitating payment for the sale,
    • Branch B: shipping/checkout if the feature is available and Facebook is actually facilitating payment: and the item is sold through that facilitator flow
    • Branch B: shipping/checkout if the feature is available and Facebook is actually facilitating payment: What the public Facebook help pages support:
    • Branch B: shipping/checkout if the feature is available and Facebook is actually facilitating payment: Selling with shipping and buying or creating prepaid labels is not available to all users.
    • Branch B: shipping/checkout if the feature is available and Facebook is actually facilitating payment: When you sell something with shipping and checkout, buyers can pay securely and you ship the item directly to the buyer.
    • Branch B: shipping/checkout if the feature is available and Facebook is actually facilitating payment: Related help pages say identity verification and tax information may be required for shipping sales.
    • Branch B: shipping/checkout if the feature is available and Facebook is actually facilitating payment: Georgia result:
    • Branch B: shipping/checkout if the feature is available and Facebook is actually facilitating payment: Georgia DOR says a marketplace facilitator is generally a company that contracts with a seller to facilitate a taxable retail sale by processing the payment and providing a service that facilitates the sale.
    • Branch B: shipping/checkout if the feature is available and Facebook is actually facilitating payment: Georgia DOR's policy bulletin says a marketplace seller is not required to collect or remit Georgia sales or use tax on a retail sale for which its marketplace facilitator is required to collect and remit.
    • Branch B: shipping/checkout if the feature is available and Facebook is actually facilitating payment: Important caveat:
    • Branch B: shipping/checkout if the feature is available and Facebook is actually facilitating payment: The public Facebook Marketplace shipping pages reviewed on April 26, 2026 are framed around individual sellers.
    • Branch B: shipping/checkout if the feature is available and Facebook is actually facilitating payment: Related business-identity help exists, but some of it is only visible through search results or redirects to login when opened directly.
    • Branch B: shipping/checkout if the feature is available and Facebook is actually facilitating payment: Because of that, do not assume every Georgia founder, business type, or listing category has access to the same shipping/checkout or seller-flow details.
    • ST-5 resale branch: Georgia resale purchases use Form ST-5.
    • ST-5 resale branch: Georgia DOR says a purchaser claiming resale treatment should have a valid Georgia sales-tax registration number at the time of purchase and list that number on the certificate when required.
    • ST-5 resale branch: Main unresolved point:
    • ST-5 resale branch: The public Georgia sources reviewed on April 26, 2026 do not squarely answer whether a seller trying to stay purely shipping/checkout and purely marketplace-facilitated on Facebook Marketplace still needs its own Georgia sales-tax number solely to support ST-5.
    • ST-5 resale branch: If you want tax-free inventory sourcing, treat that as a retained follow-up and do not guess.

  7. Step 7: Check local permits, county rules, and home-business limits

    Main guide step 7

    Georgia does not use one statewide local-business-license form for every county or city.

    Why it matters: Do this before operating: Atlanta branch: Practical warning: If you will store inventory at home, package orders there, add recurring buyer or carrier traffic, or lease warehouse or studio space, clear the zoning branch before launch.

    • check the county clerk if you need a trade-name filing,
    • check the city or county where the business is actually located,
    • ask about zoning, occupancy, and home-based-business rules if inventory will be stored or orders will be packed there,
    • and do not assume Atlanta rules apply unless the address is actually inside Atlanta city limits
    • Atlanta says a business license is required to operate a business within city limits.
    • Atlanta's new occupational-tax filings run through ATLBIZ.
    • Atlanta's Before You Get Started page tells new applicants to gather ID, any required regulatory permits, a pre-zoning check, and notarized E-Verify and SAVE affidavits.
    • Atlanta's zoning pages make zoning verification address-specific rather than giving a broad one-page home-business clearance.

  8. Step 8: If you hire employees, handle payroll registrations and insurance

    Main guide step 8

    If you do not hire anyone yet, skip this for now.

    Why it matters: If you hire: Georgia workers' compensation checkpoint:

    • register for Georgia withholding through GTC,
    • complete DOL-1A with the Georgia Department of Labor immediately following the first Georgia payroll if you are liable,
    • report new hires and rehires to the State New Hire Reporting System,
    • and get workers' compensation coverage once the Georgia threshold is met
    • Georgia generally requires workers' compensation coverage once the business regularly employs 3 or more persons.
    • Officers or members who elect or reject coverage still count toward that threshold.

  9. Step 9: Create your Facebook Marketplace account and listing workflow

    Main guide step 9

    Have these ready:

    Why it matters: Platform access rules supported by the public help pages reviewed on April 26, 2026: Seller-verification branch:

    • government-issued ID
    • main Facebook profile in good standing
    • phone number
    • email address
    • bank or payment details you will actually use
    • tax information if you use shipping/checkout
    • business registration details if a feature asks for them
    • clear item photos, condition details, and pickup or shipping plan
    • Public Facebook help says acceptable identity documents for seller verification include a passport, driver's license, or state or government ID.
    • Public help also says Facebook collects tax information to comply with applicable laws and regulations when selling with shipping.
    • Public help and public Meta policy materials reviewed on April 26, 2026 keep this branch anchored to individual sellers on a personal main profile, not to a broad, settled seller program.
    • Marketplace is available to adults with active Facebook accounts.
    • Marketplace access can be restricted if the account is new or inactive, uses an additional profile instead of the main profile, or has gone against terms or policies.
    • Marketplace listings must follow Commerce Policies and Community Standards.
    • Buyers can use Message or Is this available? to arrange a local sale.
    • Shipping and checkout are separate features and are not available to all users.

  10. Step 10: Understand the channel economics before you scale

    Main guide step 10

    What this means in practice:

    • The public sources reviewed on April 26, 2026 did not identify a public subscription-plan decision for Facebook Marketplace.
    • The real operating split is not basic plan vs paid plan.
    • The real split is:
    • direct local or direct seller-managed sale
    • shipping/checkout if available
    • Do not assume there is no cost just because there is no obvious seller-plan page.
    • For ordinary local direct deals, there is no public onsite-checkout selling-fee rule because Facebook is not processing the local transaction.
    • For individual sellers using onsite shipping/checkout, public Meta merchant policies say the selling fee is 5% per transaction, with a minimum fee of $0.40.
    • Re-check live shipping, payout, chargeback, and feature-availability screens if you use shipping/checkout.
    • For local direct deals, price in your own time, meeting risk, refunds, and tax handling rather than expecting platform-managed order economics.

  11. Step 11: Decide whether brand or IP programs belong in the initial launch

    Main guide step 11

    This research pass did not identify a public Facebook Marketplace brand-enrollment or registry program that acts like a default beginner step.

    • This research pass did not identify a public Facebook Marketplace brand-enrollment or registry program that acts like a default beginner step.
    • What matters first is clean sourcing, accurate condition descriptions, and avoiding counterfeit or rights-holder risk.
    • If you build your own brand, start the trademark and documentation path early.
    • If you resell branded goods, keep invoices and supplier records from the start.

  12. Step 12: Complete the fulfillment and operations branch

    Main guide step 12

    Use the platform-specific version of this step.

    • Beginner-safe direct local path: start with one or two low-risk listings,
    • Beginner-safe direct local path: use clear photos and accurate condition notes,
    • Beginner-safe direct local path: choose public meetup, door pickup, or door drop-off carefully,
    • Beginner-safe direct local path: confirm timing and address details in Messenger,
    • Beginner-safe direct local path: and inspect or let the buyer inspect the item before finalizing payment when practical
    • Beginner-safe direct local path: Public safety and handling rules:
    • Beginner-safe direct local path: Facebook says local transaction listings can show meetup preferences such as public meetup, door pickup, or door drop-off.
    • Beginner-safe direct local path: Facebook warns that transactions are between the buyer and seller only and that no third-party guarantee should be involved.
    • Beginner-safe direct local path: Facebook also says eligible purchases made with checkout on Facebook may be covered by Purchase Protection, but items exchanged in person using cash or other person-to-person payment methods are not eligible.
    • Beginner-safe direct local path: That means a Georgia founder should not treat local pickup, cash, Zelle, Venmo, or other off-platform payment methods as protected the same way eligible onsite-checkout orders are.
    • Shipping/checkout path if available: only use this branch if the feature is actually enabled for your account and item,
    • Shipping/checkout path if available: keep identity and tax information ready,
    • Shipping/checkout path if available: keep payout setup flexible because public help references both bank-account and PayPal payout articles,
    • Shipping/checkout path if available: monitor shipping performance,
    • Shipping/checkout path if available: and keep evidence for any dispute or chargeback
    • Shipping/checkout path if available: Public shipping and dispute rules reviewed on April 26, 2026:
    • Shipping/checkout path if available: Facebook says shipping and buying or creating prepaid labels are not available to all users.
    • Shipping/checkout path if available: Public help shows both bank account and PayPal payout articles, so do not assume one universal payout rail.
    • Shipping/checkout path if available: Public Meta merchant policies say individual sellers using onsite checkout are charged 5% per transaction with a minimum fee of $0.40.
    • Shipping/checkout path if available: Public Meta merchant policies also say seller protection for onsite transactions is currently U.S.-only and limited to covered items priced at $2,000 or less.
    • Shipping/checkout path if available: For individual sellers, the same public Meta policy page ties shipping-protection eligibility to using a Meta-generated shipping label and shipping within the published shipping or handling window.
    • Shipping/checkout path if available: Facebook says shipping performance includes Cancellation Rate and Missed Handling Rate, and that the Cancellation Rate should stay below 10%.
    • Shipping/checkout path if available: Public Meta merchant policies say buyers are expected to contact the seller first and that sellers should respond to refund requests quickly, while Facebook's public chargeback help says a card issuer decides the chargeback dispute, pending payouts may be reduced, and a customer-favorable result can include a USD 20 chargeback fee.

  13. Step 13: Confirm product, service, or category eligibility before scaling

    Main guide step 13

    Scaling friction:

    • Marketplace listings must comply with Meta's Commerce Policies and Facebook Community Standards.
    • Public Marketplace help says anything that isn't a physical product for sale should not be listed.
    • Services are not allowed on Marketplace.
    • Animals or animal products are not allowed.
    • Healthcare products are not allowed.
    • Recalled products should not be sold.
    • Public Facebook help says there is now a monthly listing limit of 20 total listings, with narrower limits in categories such as Vehicles, Auto Parts and Accessories, and Homes for Sale or Rent.
    • That makes Facebook Marketplace a weak fit for high-volume catalog scaling even if the first few listings go well.

  14. Step 14: Launch with a compliance-first operating routine

    Main guide step 14

    Once live, keep these habits:

    • keep Marketplace conversations on Facebook or Messenger as long as possible
    • maintain invoices and condition records
    • separate direct sales from any facilitator-handled sales
    • keep tax reserves separate
    • reconcile payments, refunds, and chargebacks
    • avoid mixing personal and business spending
    • re-check the Georgia tax answer before changing from local direct sales to platform checkout or vice versa

Best practical order for the LLC launch path

  1. Choose the product lane and whether the business will operate from home.
  2. Choose the legal name and public brand approach.
  3. File Articles of Organization (CD 030) and appoint the registered agent.
  4. Get the EIN.
  5. Open the bank account.
  6. Decide whether the Facebook Marketplace sales branch is direct or facilitated.
  7. Register for Georgia tax and resale paths that apply.
  8. Start the county trade-name branch if needed.
  9. Start any Atlanta or other local business-license and zoning branch.
  10. Build the Facebook Marketplace listing workflow.
  11. If hiring, open the Georgia withholding, DOL-1A, new-hire, and workers' compensation branches.
  12. Track annual registration, tax, and local deadlines on the compliance calendar.
Back to top Next: Georgia tax stack
State filing and tax Georgia tax stack Keep the Georgia registration, tax, and maintenance rules together while you launch. Everyone 7 checks

1. EIN

A typical single-member LLC needs an EIN.

  • A typical single-member LLC needs an EIN.
  • A sole proprietor often wants one for operations even when not strictly required.

2. Georgia sales tax, seller permit, or equivalent registration

Georgia uses the Georgia Tax Center (GTC) for business tax registration.

  • Georgia uses the Georgia Tax Center (GTC) for business tax registration.
  • DOR says any person or entity meeting the state's definition of a dealer must register for a sales and use tax number and certificate of registration.
  • DOR says sales-tax registration does not require renewal and remains in effect as long as the business exists with no change in ownership or structure.

3. Marketplace or platform tax rule

Facebook Marketplace needs a split analysis instead of one answer.

  • Direct-sale branch: If the buyer messages you and you arrange the sale directly, that is the cleaner Georgia direct-sale branch.
  • Direct-sale branch: Public Facebook help says local buyers message the seller to arrange a sale.
  • Direct-sale branch: Public Facebook safety guidance for local pickup says transactions are between the buyer and seller only and no third-party guarantee should be involved.
  • Direct-sale branch: Treat those sales as your direct sales for Georgia tax and registration analysis.
  • Marketplace-facilitator branch: Georgia DOR says a marketplace facilitator generally facilitates a taxable retail sale by processing the payment and providing a service that facilitates the sale.
  • Marketplace-facilitator branch: Georgia DOR's SUT-2020-01 policy bulletin says a marketplace seller is not required to collect or remit Georgia sales or use tax on a retail sale for which its marketplace facilitator is required to collect and remit.
  • Marketplace-facilitator branch: If Facebook Marketplace is actually running shipping/checkout and payment processing for a sale, that sale can fit the marketplace-facilitator branch more closely than an ordinary local message-based deal.
  • Marketplace-facilitator branch: Important caution:
  • Marketplace-facilitator branch: The public Facebook shipping pages reviewed on April 26, 2026 are feature-limited and not available to all users.
  • Marketplace-facilitator branch: The public Meta checkout-policy pages reviewed on April 26, 2026 also tie most of the usable onsite-checkout details to individual sellers, not to a broad, settled seller program.
  • Marketplace-facilitator branch: Do not treat every Facebook Marketplace listing as a marketplace-facilitated sale.

4. Resale purchases or exempt purchasing

Georgia uses Form ST-5 for resale and other covered exemption situations.

  • Georgia uses Form ST-5 for resale and other covered exemption situations.
  • Georgia DOR says the purchaser should have a valid sales-tax registration number at the time of purchase when claiming resale treatment and list the number on the certificate when required.
  • If you want to buy inventory tax-free for resale, resolve the sales-tax-number question first instead of assuming Facebook Marketplace changes the rule.

5. Entity tax treatment

Georgia says LLCs follow federal check-the-box classifications for income-tax purposes.

  • Georgia says LLCs follow federal check-the-box classifications for income-tax purposes.
  • For a typical single-member LLC that has not elected corporation status, that usually means disregarded or pass-through treatment.
  • An LLC is only subject to Georgia net worth tax if it is treated as a corporation for income-tax purposes.

6. Entity filing-fee or franchise-tax rule

The recurring statewide LLC maintenance item verified in the public sources reviewed is the Secretary of State annual registration, not a separate default LLC franchise tax.

  • The recurring statewide LLC maintenance item verified in the public sources reviewed is the Secretary of State annual registration, not a separate default LLC franchise tax.
  • If the LLC elects corporate treatment, separate corporate-tax or net-worth-tax rules can apply.

7. If the founder changes entity type later

Re-check Georgia and local registrations if ownership or entity structure changes.

  • Re-check Georgia and local registrations if ownership or entity structure changes.
  • Georgia DOR says sales-tax registration remains in effect only while the business exists with no change in ownership or structure.
  • Do not assume the old tax or city records automatically carry over.
Back to top Next: Facebook Marketplace account and operations
Platform setup Facebook Marketplace account and operations Use this section for the Facebook Marketplace-specific account, plan, eligibility, and operations work. Everyone 5 steps

  1. Step 9: Create your Facebook Marketplace account and listing workflow

    Platform step 1

    Have these ready:

    Why it matters: Platform access rules supported by the public help pages reviewed on April 26, 2026: Seller-verification branch:

    • government-issued ID
    • main Facebook profile in good standing
    • phone number
    • email address
    • bank or payment details you will actually use
    • tax information if you use shipping/checkout
    • business registration details if a feature asks for them
    • clear item photos, condition details, and pickup or shipping plan
    • Public Facebook help says acceptable identity documents for seller verification include a passport, driver's license, or state or government ID.
    • Public help also says Facebook collects tax information to comply with applicable laws and regulations when selling with shipping.
    • Public help and public Meta policy materials reviewed on April 26, 2026 keep this branch anchored to individual sellers on a personal main profile, not to a broad, settled seller program.
    • Marketplace is available to adults with active Facebook accounts.
    • Marketplace access can be restricted if the account is new or inactive, uses an additional profile instead of the main profile, or has gone against terms or policies.
    • Marketplace listings must follow Commerce Policies and Community Standards.
    • Buyers can use Message or Is this available? to arrange a local sale.
    • Shipping and checkout are separate features and are not available to all users.

  2. Step 10: Understand the channel economics before you scale

    Platform step 2

    What this means in practice:

    • The public sources reviewed on April 26, 2026 did not identify a public subscription-plan decision for Facebook Marketplace.
    • The real operating split is not basic plan vs paid plan.
    • The real split is:
    • direct local or direct seller-managed sale
    • shipping/checkout if available
    • Do not assume there is no cost just because there is no obvious seller-plan page.
    • For ordinary local direct deals, there is no public onsite-checkout selling-fee rule because Facebook is not processing the local transaction.
    • For individual sellers using onsite shipping/checkout, public Meta merchant policies say the selling fee is 5% per transaction, with a minimum fee of $0.40.
    • Re-check live shipping, payout, chargeback, and feature-availability screens if you use shipping/checkout.
    • For local direct deals, price in your own time, meeting risk, refunds, and tax handling rather than expecting platform-managed order economics.

  3. Step 11: Decide whether brand or IP programs belong in the initial launch

    Platform step 3

    This research pass did not identify a public Facebook Marketplace brand-enrollment or registry program that acts like a default beginner step.

    • This research pass did not identify a public Facebook Marketplace brand-enrollment or registry program that acts like a default beginner step.
    • What matters first is clean sourcing, accurate condition descriptions, and avoiding counterfeit or rights-holder risk.
    • If you build your own brand, start the trademark and documentation path early.
    • If you resell branded goods, keep invoices and supplier records from the start.

  4. Step 12: Complete the fulfillment and operations branch

    Platform step 4

    Use the platform-specific version of this step.

    • Beginner-safe direct local path: start with one or two low-risk listings,
    • Beginner-safe direct local path: use clear photos and accurate condition notes,
    • Beginner-safe direct local path: choose public meetup, door pickup, or door drop-off carefully,
    • Beginner-safe direct local path: confirm timing and address details in Messenger,
    • Beginner-safe direct local path: and inspect or let the buyer inspect the item before finalizing payment when practical
    • Beginner-safe direct local path: Public safety and handling rules:
    • Beginner-safe direct local path: Facebook says local transaction listings can show meetup preferences such as public meetup, door pickup, or door drop-off.
    • Beginner-safe direct local path: Facebook warns that transactions are between the buyer and seller only and that no third-party guarantee should be involved.
    • Beginner-safe direct local path: Facebook also says eligible purchases made with checkout on Facebook may be covered by Purchase Protection, but items exchanged in person using cash or other person-to-person payment methods are not eligible.
    • Beginner-safe direct local path: That means a Georgia founder should not treat local pickup, cash, Zelle, Venmo, or other off-platform payment methods as protected the same way eligible onsite-checkout orders are.
    • Shipping/checkout path if available: only use this branch if the feature is actually enabled for your account and item,
    • Shipping/checkout path if available: keep identity and tax information ready,
    • Shipping/checkout path if available: keep payout setup flexible because public help references both bank-account and PayPal payout articles,
    • Shipping/checkout path if available: monitor shipping performance,
    • Shipping/checkout path if available: and keep evidence for any dispute or chargeback
    • Shipping/checkout path if available: Public shipping and dispute rules reviewed on April 26, 2026:
    • Shipping/checkout path if available: Facebook says shipping and buying or creating prepaid labels are not available to all users.
    • Shipping/checkout path if available: Public help shows both bank account and PayPal payout articles, so do not assume one universal payout rail.
    • Shipping/checkout path if available: Public Meta merchant policies say individual sellers using onsite checkout are charged 5% per transaction with a minimum fee of $0.40.
    • Shipping/checkout path if available: Public Meta merchant policies also say seller protection for onsite transactions is currently U.S.-only and limited to covered items priced at $2,000 or less.
    • Shipping/checkout path if available: For individual sellers, the same public Meta policy page ties shipping-protection eligibility to using a Meta-generated shipping label and shipping within the published shipping or handling window.
    • Shipping/checkout path if available: Facebook says shipping performance includes Cancellation Rate and Missed Handling Rate, and that the Cancellation Rate should stay below 10%.
    • Shipping/checkout path if available: Public Meta merchant policies say buyers are expected to contact the seller first and that sellers should respond to refund requests quickly, while Facebook's public chargeback help says a card issuer decides the chargeback dispute, pending payouts may be reduced, and a customer-favorable result can include a USD 20 chargeback fee.

  5. Step 13: Confirm product, service, or category eligibility before scaling

    Platform step 5

    Scaling friction:

    • Marketplace listings must comply with Meta's Commerce Policies and Facebook Community Standards.
    • Public Marketplace help says anything that isn't a physical product for sale should not be listed.
    • Services are not allowed on Marketplace.
    • Animals or animal products are not allowed.
    • Healthcare products are not allowed.
    • Recalled products should not be sold.
    • Public Facebook help says there is now a monthly listing limit of 20 total listings, with narrower limits in categories such as Vehicles, Auto Parts and Accessories, and Homes for Sale or Rent.
    • That makes Facebook Marketplace a weak fit for high-volume catalog scaling even if the first few listings go well.
Back to top Next: Local permits and Atlanta branch
Local branch Local permits and Atlanta branch These local and city checks can still change the answer even after the state and platform path is clear. Location-specific 2 branches

Local permits and location checks

Georgia pushes many business-permit questions down to counties and municipalities.

  • Georgia pushes many business-permit questions down to counties and municipalities.
  • For any place where the business will operate:
  • check the county clerk,
  • contact the city or county business-license office,
  • ask zoning or planning if the business will operate from home,
  • and ask what happens if inventory will be stored there or regular traffic will occur
  • Typical local risk areas:
  • trade-name filing
  • home occupation restrictions
  • zoning for inventory storage
  • buyer or carrier activity at a residence
  • fire-code limits

Atlanta Appendix

If the business operates in Atlanta, add one more review layer.

  • If the business operates in Atlanta, add one more review layer.
  • The City of Atlanta says a business license is required to operate a business within city limits.
  • Atlanta's business-license pages say all business licenses expire on December 31, regardless of when in the year they were issued.
  • The Office of Revenue routes occupational-tax work through ATLBIZ.
  • Atlanta's Before You Get Started page tells new applicants to gather a government ID, any applicable regulatory permits, a pre-zoning check, and notarized E-Verify and SAVE affidavits.
  • Atlanta's business-tax page says businesses located in Atlanta may be taxed on statewide receipts if they do not have a physical location in any other jurisdiction within the state.
  • Atlanta's zoning verification page says zoning verification is property-specific and does not automatically clear all building-code or permit issues.
  • Practical Atlanta takeaway:
  • If you want to store Facebook Marketplace inventory at home, meet buyers at your address, or run repeated pickup or shipping activity from an Atlanta location, do not assume the business license alone clears the use.
  • Check the Atlanta zoning branch before launch.
  • and do not assume Atlanta rules apply unless the address is actually inside Atlanta city limits
Back to top Next: Employees and insurance
Optional branch Employees and insurance Use this branch if you plan to hire or need the insurance follow-up that comes with scaling. Only if hiring or scaling 5 branches

1. Employer registration

Register for Georgia withholding through GTC.

  • Register for Georgia withholding through GTC.
  • Georgia DOR says any business with employees must register for a withholding payroll number.
  • Georgia DOL says employing units with individuals performing services in Georgia should complete DOL-1A immediately following the first Georgia payroll.
  • Georgia DOL says employers meeting the liability test generally must file quarterly reports.
  • Georgia employers must report new hires and rehires to the State New Hire Reporting System.
  • report new hires and rehires to the State New Hire Reporting System,

2. Workers' compensation

Georgia generally requires workers' compensation coverage if you regularly employ 3 or more persons.

  • Georgia generally requires workers' compensation coverage if you regularly employ 3 or more persons.
  • Regular part-time workers count.
  • Corporate officers and LLC members count toward the threshold even if they reject coverage for themselves.
  • and get workers' compensation coverage once the Georgia threshold is met
  • Georgia generally requires workers' compensation coverage once the business regularly employs 3 or more persons.

3. Disability, paid leave, or similar coverage

No separate Georgia statewide private-employer disability or paid-leave registration requirement was identified in the public sources reviewed for this pack.

  • No separate Georgia statewide private-employer disability or paid-leave registration requirement was identified in the public sources reviewed for this pack.
  • Re-check if the workforce facts are unusual or if a local jurisdiction adds a rule.

4. Exemption certificate if applicable

Form WC-10 is the Georgia owner, officer, member, partner, or sole-proprietor election or rejection form used in specific workers' compensation situations.

  • Form WC-10 is the Georgia owner, officer, member, partner, or sole-proprietor election or rejection form used in specific workers' compensation situations.
  • It does not remove the person from the employee-count test.

Insurance reality

No public Facebook Marketplace seller-liability-insurance threshold or universal insurance requirement was identified in the public help pages reviewed on April 26, 2026.

  • No public Facebook Marketplace seller-liability-insurance threshold or universal insurance requirement was identified in the public help pages reviewed on April 26, 2026.
  • That is not the same as having no insurance risk.
  • If you hold inventory, meet buyers at your property, or ship physical products regularly, re-check your homeowners, renters, landlord, carrier, and commercial-liability coverage separately before scaling.
Back to top Next: Ongoing compliance calendar
Stay compliant Ongoing compliance calendar Keep the recurring compliance checks and live-operating routine visible after launch. Everyone 5 groups

Before first sale

  • Finish entity or county trade-name setup.
  • Get EIN if applicable.
  • Open bank account.
  • Decide whether the sale path is direct or facilitated.
  • Register with Georgia if the path is direct or if resale sourcing requires it.
  • Check local permits and Atlanta zoning rules if applicable.

Before first live launch

  • Build the first listing carefully.
  • Choose the meetup or shipping path.
  • Re-check live Facebook Marketplace help pages if you use shipping, checkout, or payout features.
  • Keep the first launch small.

Monthly

  • Reconcile sales, taxes, refunds, and chargebacks.
  • Review listing status, messages, and policy warnings.
  • Review sourcing records.

Quarterly

  • File Georgia sales-tax returns on the cadence assigned by the Department if you are acting as the seller responsible for collection.
  • If you are an employer, handle withholding, unemployment, and new-hire reporting on the required schedule.
  • Review whether your operating facts changed enough to reopen the ST-5, direct-sale, or Atlanta zoning branch.

Annual or periodic

  • File the Georgia LLC annual registration if you formed an LLC.
  • Renew or update local licenses as required.
  • If in Atlanta, track the city's occupational-tax renewal and annual city deadlines carefully.
  • Re-check Facebook Marketplace shipping, payout, listing-limit, and policy pages before scaling volume.
Back to top Next: Common mistakes
Avoid these Common mistakes These are the repeated beginner errors called out in the research pack. Everyone 9 mistakes

Common Mistakes New Operators Make

  • Treating every Facebook Marketplace sale like a marketplace-facilitated tax sale when many local transactions are actually direct sales
  • Assuming shipping/checkout is available just because public help articles exist
  • Assuming shipping/checkout uses one universal payout rail or one universal seller-protection rule
  • Ignoring the ST-5 and sales-tax-number problem before buying inventory tax-free
  • Using a trade name without filing it locally in the county
  • Storing inventory or running repeated meetups from an Atlanta address without checking zoning first
  • Moving buyer conversations off-platform too early
  • Forgetting that in-person deals and checkout deals have different support and protection rules
  • Building around high listing volume even though public listing limits are low

Practical first-launch recommendation

If you are testing casually with minimal risk, sole proprietor can work.

If you intend to build a real inventory business and use Facebook Marketplace as one of several channels, single-member LLC is usually the better long-term path.

Back to top Next: Full official source directory
Full appendix Full official source directory Every official source row from the research pack, kept in its full table structure. Everyone 41 rows

Source group

Statewide Start

Georgia Department of Revenue

State start-here page

Form / portal Guidance page
Fee None for the page
Timing First planning step
Who needs it New businesses

DOR says entities doing business in Georgia may need tax registration and other setup, and says partnerships, corporations, and LLCs should check Georgia Secretary of State requirements first.

Open official link

Georgia Department of Revenue

State business portal

Form / portal GTC
Fee None for the portal
Timing Early in setup
Who needs it New and existing businesses

DOR describes GTC as the one-stop shop for registering a new business and handling sales and withholding tax accounts.

Open official link

Georgia.gov

Local name-filing starter

Form / portal County trade-name process
Fee Varies by county
Timing Before using another public name
Who needs it Sole proprietors and entities using a trade name

Georgia.gov says a DBA, also called a trade name, is filed with the county Clerk of Superior Court where the business is located.

Open official link

Source group

Entity Choice and Formation

Georgia Secretary of State

Compare and form a domestic entity

Form / portal Online filing and mail instructions
Fee Varies by entity
Timing Before launch
Who needs it Filing entities

Secretary of State explains the domestic-entity formation path and the first annual-registration timing.

Open official link

Georgia Secretary of State

Name reservation

Form / portal Name reservation
Fee Varies
Timing Optional before formation
Who needs it Founders reserving a name

Georgia law requires the entity name to be distinguishable on the Secretary of State's records.

Open official link

Georgia Secretary of State

Default entity formation filing

Form / portal Articles of Organization (CD 030)
Fee $100 filing fee, plus $10 paper filing service charge if filing by paper
Timing At formation
Who needs it single-member LLC founders

Public instructions say the LLC is formed by filing Articles of Organization, and paper filing also requires CD 231.

Open official link

Georgia Secretary of State

Paper-filing transmittal

Form / portal CD 231
Fee Included in paper filing package
Timing With paper formation filing
Who needs it Paper LLC filers

The form shows the Georgia registered-agent and registered-office requirements and repeats the $110 total paper filing amount.

Open official link

Georgia Secretary of State

Immediate post-filing rule

Form / portal Guidance page
Fee None for the page
Timing Immediately after formation
Who needs it single-member LLC founders

The reviewed public guidance did not identify a separate initial state report or publication step for a newly formed Georgia LLC.

Open official link

Georgia Secretary of State

Ongoing entity maintenance

Form / portal Annual registration
Fee $60 total ($50 filing fee plus $10 service charge)
Timing January 1 to April 1 each year
Who needs it single-member LLC founders

The first annual registration is due between January 1 and April 1 of the year following the calendar year of formation.

Open official link

Source group

Sole Proprietor and Local Name Filings

Georgia.gov

Sole proprietor baseline

Form / portal County trade-name process
Fee Varies by county
Timing Before launch if using a different public name
Who needs it Sole proprietors

Georgia.gov says a DBA is not a business structure and does not provide liability protection.

Open official link

Georgia Superior Court Clerks' Cooperative Authority via Georgia.gov

County or local clerk lookup

Form / portal County clerk lookup
Fee None for the directory
Timing Before DBA filing
Who needs it Sole proprietors and entities using a trade name

Use the local clerk path because Georgia trade-name filing is county-based.

Open official link

Source group

Federal and State Tax Setup

IRS

EIN overview and online application

Form / portal Online EIN application
Fee Free
Timing Early in setup
Who needs it LLCs and founders wanting an EIN

The IRS says to form the entity with the state first if creating an LLC, partnership, or corporation.

Open official link

IRS

EIN paper form

Form / portal Form SS-4
Fee Free
Timing If not applying online
Who needs it Founders not using the online flow

Public IRS instructions cover paper application and responsible-party details.

Open official link

Georgia Department of Revenue

State tax registration

Form / portal Georgia Tax Center (GTC)
Fee No separate fee identified for ordinary sales-tax registration
Timing Before taxable direct selling activity
Who needs it Dealers and businesses needing state tax accounts

DOR says any dealer must register for a sales and use tax number regardless of whether all sales will be online, out of state, wholesale, or exempt.

Open official link

Georgia Department of Revenue

Registration instructions

Form / portal GTC instructions
Fee None for the page
Timing During registration
Who needs it Businesses opening a sales-tax account

Public instructions walk through Register a New Georgia Business and the sales-tax account questions.

Open official link

Georgia Department of Revenue

Marketplace or platform tax rule

Form / portal Guidance page and bulletin
Fee None for the pages
Timing Before and after launch
Who needs it Marketplace sellers and mixed-channel sellers

DOR says a marketplace seller is not required to collect or remit Georgia sales tax on a retail sale for which its marketplace facilitator is required to collect and remit.

Open official link

Georgia Department of Revenue

Resale or exemption certificate

Form / portal Form ST-5
Fee None for the form
Timing After registration if applicable
Who needs it Inventory buyers claiming resale treatment

DOR says the purchaser should have a valid sales-tax registration number at the time of purchase when claiming resale treatment and list the number on the certificate when required.

Open official link

Georgia Department of Revenue

Direct-sale seller rule

Form / portal FAQ guidance
Fee None for the page
Timing First planning step
Who needs it Direct sellers

DOR says any individual or entity meeting the definition of a dealer must register, even if all sales are online, wholesale, or exempt.

Open official link

Source group

Entity Tax Maintenance

Georgia Department of Revenue

Entity tax treatment

Form / portal Guidance page
Fee None for the page
Timing During planning
Who needs it single-member LLC founders

DOR's start-here guidance points founders to entity structure and state tax registration before launch.

Open official link

Georgia Department of Revenue

Sales-tax registration continuity

Form / portal Guidance page
Fee None for the page
Timing Ongoing
Who needs it Registered dealers

DOR says sales-tax registration does not require renewal and remains in effect as long as the business exists with no change in ownership or structure.

Open official link

Georgia Secretary of State

Recurring entity tax filing or fee

Form / portal Annual registration
Fee $60 total
Timing January 1 to April 1 each year
Who needs it single-member LLC founders

This is the recurring statewide LLC maintenance filing verified in the public record reviewed for this combo.

Open official link

Source group

Federal Reporting

FinCEN

BOI reporting status

Form / portal Guidance page
Fee None
Timing Re-check if federal rules change
Who needs it Everyone forming an entity

As reviewed on April 26, 2026, domestic U.S. entities are exempt after the interim final rule published on March 26, 2025.

Open official link

Source group

Employees, Payroll, and Insurance

Georgia Department of Revenue ; Georgia Department of Labor

Employer registration

Form / portal GTC and DOL-1A
Fee No registration fee identified
Timing When first becoming an employer
Who needs it Businesses hiring employees

DOR says employers with employees need a withholding payroll number, and GDOL says employing units should complete DOL-1A immediately following the first Georgia payroll.

Open official link

Georgia Department of Labor

New-hire reporting

Form / portal State New Hire Reporting System
Fee None stated
Timing Within 10 days after hire, rehire, or return to work
Who needs it Businesses with employees

Public GDOL materials say all Georgia employers are required to report new hires and rehires.

Open official link

State Board of Workers' Compensation

Workers' compensation

Form / portal Coverage path and WC-10
Fee Premium-based or varies
Timing Before or at hiring once threshold is met
Who needs it Businesses with 3 or more regular workers

SBWC says any business that regularly employs 3 or more persons must obtain coverage, and WC-10 is used for owner or officer election or rejection.

Open official link

Source group

Platform Setup

Facebook Help Center

Marketplace access and account eligibility

Form / portal Marketplace access rules
Fee None stated
Timing Before launch
Who needs it All operators on the platform

Public help says Marketplace is for adults with active accounts, access can be restricted, and Marketplace is intended for consumers. Public help also says Marketplace is not available on additional Facebook profiles and that sellers should use the main profile. Search result text says businesses that list may be blocked or have listings removed.

Open official link

Facebook Help Center

Listing creation

Form / portal Listing flow
Fee No public fee identified on the reviewed page
Timing Before first listing
Who needs it All operators

Public help describes creating a listing with photos, item information, and publishing. Direct open may redirect to login.

Open official link

Facebook Help Center

Direct local sale flow

Form / portal Messaging and meetup flow
Fee None stated
Timing Before using local sales
Who needs it Direct local sellers

Public help says local buyers can message the seller to arrange a sale. Safety tips say transactions are between buyer and seller only and no third-party guarantee should be involved.

Open official link

Facebook Help Center ; Meta legal page

Shipping and checkout branch

Form / portal Shipping and checkout flow
Fee Public Individual Seller fee posture: 5% per transaction with $0.40 minimum for onsite checkout
Timing Only if the feature is available
Who needs it Sellers using shipping and checkout

Public help says shipping and buying or creating prepaid labels are not available to all users. Identity verification and tax-information help is public via search, but direct page opens may redirect to login. Public Meta merchant policies reviewed on April 26, 2026 also say the checkout rules in this branch are framed for Individual Sellers and should not be generalized into a broad seller program.

Open official link

Facebook Help Center

Listing-volume limit

Form / portal Listing limits
Fee None
Timing Before scaling
Who needs it High-volume operators

Public help says there is a monthly limit of 20 total listings, with narrower limits in some categories. Direct open may redirect to login.

Open official link

Facebook Help Center

Policy and restricted-item baseline

Form / portal Commerce-policy help
Fee None
Timing During sourcing and listing
Who needs it All operators

Public help says Marketplace listings must comply with Meta Commerce Policies and Community Standards and gives examples of prohibited items and services.

Open official link

Source group

Fulfillment, Logistics, or Store Operations

Facebook Help Center

Local meetup and privacy workflow

Form / portal Local meetup workflow
Fee None
Timing Before local transactions
Who needs it Direct local sellers

Public help covers public meetup, door pickup, door drop-off, privacy, recalled goods, and counterfeit caution. Public scam guidance also says local in-person cash or person-to-person payment deals are not eligible for the same Purchase Protection used for eligible checkout orders.

Open official link

Facebook Help Center

Shipping performance

Form / portal Shipping performance tools
Fee None for the page
Timing If using shipping
Who needs it Sellers using shipping and checkout

Public help says shipping performance includes Cancellation Rate and Missed Handling Rate, says the cancellation rate should stay below 10%, and says the feature is available only on the Facebook app for iPhone and Android. Direct open may redirect to login.

Open official link

Facebook Help Center ; Meta legal page

Shipping-label and seller-protection branch

Form / portal Label choice and protection rules
Fee None for the page
Timing If using shipping
Who needs it Sellers using shipping and checkout

Public help shows both prepaid-label and own-label support pages. Public Meta merchant policies reviewed on April 26, 2026 say Individual Sellers need a Meta-generated shipping label and on-time shipment within the published handling window to qualify for the shipping-protection branch of seller protection.

Open official link

Facebook Help Center

Payout and tax-form branch

Form / portal Shipping payout flow
Fee No separate public payout fee identified beyond checkout selling-fee rules
Timing If using shipping and checkout
Who needs it Sellers using shipping and checkout

Public help shows a feature-gated payout stack and references both PayPal and bank account help pages plus a separate different types of payments page. This pack therefore treats payout as a live account-level setup question rather than assuming one universal payout rail.

Open official link

Facebook Help Center ; Meta legal page

Chargebacks, disputes, and purchase-protection limits

Form / portal Chargeback and protection help
Fee Varies by dispute
Timing Ongoing if using shipping or checkout
Who needs it Sellers using checkout and all local sellers

Public help says card issuers decide chargebacks, pending payouts can be adjusted, and a customer-favorable chargeback can include a USD 20 fee. Public Meta merchant policies reviewed on April 26, 2026 say seller protection is currently available only in the U.S. and is limited to covered onsite-checkout items priced at $2,000 or less. Public scam guidance says eligible checkout purchases may have Purchase Protection, while in-person cash or person-to-person deals do not.

Open official link

Source group

Insurance Checkpoint

Facebook Help Center

Platform insurance threshold or requirement

Form / portal Public help index
Fee None identified
Timing Re-check before scaling
Who needs it Operators with physical-product risk

No public Facebook Marketplace seller-liability-insurance threshold or universal insurance requirement was identified in the public help pages reviewed on April 26, 2026.

Open official link

Source group

Atlanta Branch

City of Atlanta Office of Revenue

City license baseline

Form / portal ATLBIZ occupational-tax certificate path
Fee Administrative fee varies by year
Timing Before operating in Atlanta
Who needs it Atlanta-based businesses

Atlanta says an occupational-tax certificate is required of all businesses operating within city limits and says all business licenses expire on December 31.

Open official link

City of Atlanta Office of Revenue

New-applicant checklist

Form / portal ATLBIZ
Fee None for the page
Timing Before filing
Who needs it New Atlanta applicants

Public pages say applicants need a valid email, ID, any regulatory permits, a pre-zoning check, and notarized E-Verify and SAVE affidavits.

Open official link

City of Atlanta Office of Revenue

Occupation-tax fee table

Form / portal Fee table
Fee Administrative fee $191 for certificates issued between January 1, 2026 and December 31, 2026
Timing At application and renewal
Who needs it Atlanta businesses

The same public newsletter also shows business-tax-class rates and penalties.

Open official link

City of Atlanta Department of City Planning

Zoning verification and address-specific use review

Form / portal Zoning Verification Letter
Fee $100 per zoning verification letter
Timing Before operating from a property with uncertain use status
Who needs it Atlanta businesses using a home, studio, warehouse, or other location

Atlanta says zoning verification is property-specific, normally takes 7 to 10 business days after a complete application and payment, and does not automatically resolve all building-code issues.

Open official link
Back to top