Georgia businesses gain time to renew registrations amid coronavirus

Yana Lee-Fong, a co-owner of the Epicurean Cafe in Duluth, worries about how to keep her restaurant open and her workers employed as the coronavirus keeps metro Atlanta consumers from venturing out. MATT KEMPNER / AJC

Yana Lee-Fong, a co-owner of the Epicurean Cafe in Duluth, worries about how to keep her restaurant open and her workers employed as the coronavirus keeps metro Atlanta consumers from venturing out. MATT KEMPNER / AJC

Businesses in Georgia will have an extra month to renew their annual registrations with the state government because of the coronavirus.

Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger announced Monday that businesses are facing hardships and will have more time to complete their registrations.

Raffensperger extended the annual registration deadline from April 1 to May 1. No penalties or late filing fees will be levied until after May 1.

“The economic turmoil caused by the spread of coronavirus poses a great challenge to the Georgia economy,” Raffensperger said. “Extending the annual registration period for Georgia businesses provides regulatory relief that will ease the burden.”