O.C.G.A. 14-2-1502 (profit) and 14-3-1502 (non profit) list the “consequences of transacting business without authority.”  One possible sanction is that a corporation that should have obtained a certificate of authority, but does not, may not be able to file a lawsuit in the State of Georgia.  A profit corporation that begins transacting business in Georgia and later decides it must file with the Corporations Division must pay $500 penalty.