Gorgeous Georgia is known for its delectable peaches, Southern charm, and remarkable cost of living. The start of a new year in Georgia may signal fruitful months to come, but it’s also an indicator of the new tax season.

Whether it’s your first or your 20th time tackling your taxes, you’ll likely enter this confusing time with a slew of questions and calculations. Approach tax season with confidence—we’ll give you the rundown on all of the information you may need.

Get a head-start by using our Georgia state income tax calculator to gain insight on the numbers you can expect to see on your tax bill or return check.

Before we get into Georgia’s lengthy list of state tax laws, let’s dissect the differences between state and federal taxes. Next, we’ll lay out the fundamental tax rates you should know about as a Peach State resident.

One of the most common tax season mistakes American taxpayers make is assuming there is no distinction between state and federal tax returns. Unless you’re a resident of Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Texas, Washington, or Wyoming, tax season means filing two separate returns. But what are the exact differences between state and federal taxes?

Federal taxes are government taxes levied by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Each form of taxation, be it income tax, estate tax, or gift tax, is governed by a separate body of law. Every federal tax is constructed using standardized rates and structures.

This means the same regulations and restrictions apply to citizens across each of the 50 states. The funds collected from these federal fees go toward supporting a number of government expenditures including everything from military defense to public education.

State taxes are controlled and collected by each state’s independent government, meaning state tax regulations vary on a state to state basis. State tax systems work on either flat or progressive income tax systems. Depending on the state you call home, you may be subject to a flat rate income tax rate or a scaled rate that follows a bracketed structured.

Georgia is one of many American states that uses a progressive income tax system. This means the higher your income, the higher your tax rate. However, because Georgia’s highest income bracket tops out at $7,000 ($10,000 if married filing jointly) per year, the vast majority of Georgians pay a standard state tax rate of 5.25%.

Georgia has two 6-bracket tax rate schedules that residents should check to determine the appropriate tax bracket and rate. Be sure to note the top-end thresholds on each schedule as they do vary per filing status.

For taxpayers filing Single, Married Filing Separately, and Dependent taxpayers:

For taxpayers filing Married Filing Jointly, Head of Household, or Qualifying Widower:

There are an astounding 159 counties within the Peach State, and each county imposes its own county tax rate in addition to the standard 4.00% state rate. These county rates range anywhere between 2% and 5%, meaning Georgia taxpayers can expect to pay a total tax rate ranging between 6% and 9%.

So where do you live? What rate will you be taxed at? Use the state of Georgia’s official sales and use tax rate chart to see how your county stacks up.

Georgia tax brackets are a stark contrast from the current federal tax brackets. Under Trump’s Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, federal brackets range between 10% and 37%. Georgia’s range between 1% and 6%.

Georgia’s progressive tax system uses an 6-section tax bracket to impose income taxes. The more money you make, the higher the rate you can expect to be taxed at. Georgia’s state tax rates are marginal, meaning they only apply to the dollars within the respective brackets. These rates do not apply to actual earnings, rather the eligible taxable income made. Taxable income takes all applicable deductions and exemptions into account.

If you are self-employed, an independent contractor, or do not have Georgia income taxes withheld by an employer, you can fulfill your taxpaying duties by making estimated tax payments. Estimated taxes are part of a quarterly pay-as-you-go plan for state income tax collection.

You may be required to file estimated taxes if your gross income exceeds the sum of the following amounts:

• Personal exemption
• Credit for dependents
• Estimated deductions
• $1,000 of income not subject to withholding

If you meet these criteria, you must file Georgia Form 500-ES, or the Individual and Fiduciaries Estimated Tax form. Georgia estimated taxes function on a pay-as-you-go quarterly format. Those subject to paying estimated taxes should mark the following Form 500-ES due dates:

Capital gains tax is a government-mandated fee levied on the profits gleaned from the sale of certain assets. These assets include stock investments, land parcels, real estate property, and personal items. Capital gains can be subject to both federal and state taxation.

As of 2019, the federal government taxes capital gains at rates ranging between 0-15% depending on the taxpayer’s income bracket. As for capital generated in Georgia, taxpayers will be taxed at a rate of 6.0% of the profit earned.

Georgia’s standard sales tax rate is 4%. Sales tax applies to an array of consumer products including prepared foods, non-prescription drugs, and more. Local Georgia jurisdictions may also impose another sales tax in addition to the state standard. These could include educational local option taxes, homestead local option tax, or the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority tax.

Atlanta residents should be aware that a 1% municipal option sales tax is applied to transactions where a purchase is delivered to the consumer. This does not include motor vehicles.

Excise taxes are often referred to as indirect taxes. Instead of charging the consumer, they are charged to the producer or the vendor and are typically reflected in the sale price of the taxable product. Excise taxes are charged by both the federal and state governments and apply to a vast array of goods and services including cell phone plans, vehicle registration, and firearms.

Excise taxes that are used to deter consumers from engaging in activities that could be considered harmful to society are called “sin taxes”. Common examples of these “sin taxes” include: alcohol, tobacco, and gambling. Let’s break down how these sin taxes may be affecting your pocket.

The state of Georgia collects excise tax on the three major types of alcohol found in your local liquor store— beer, wine, and liquor. You can expect to pay the following tax rates on your favorite alcoholic beverages.

Much like the rest of the country, tobacco products are subject to both state and federal excise taxes in Georgia. The Peach State is home to one of the lowest cigarette taxes in the country and ranks 47th out of the 50 states. Tobacco excise taxes are not directly paid by the consumer, however they are reflected in the sale price of cigarettes, cigars, and other tobacco products.

Check out the table below to see how tobacco consumption affects your wallet:

• Georgia cigarette tax: $0.37/pack of 20 cigarettes + 4% Georgia sales tax
• Georgia little cigar tax: $0.02.5/10 cigars + federal excise taxes
• Georgia cigar tax: 23%/wholesale price + federal excise taxes
• Georgia tobacco and snuff tax: 10%/wholesale price + federal excise taxes

Though there is plenty of scenic-route appeal to owning a car in Georgia, the cost of filling up your gas tank is one of the highest in the country— higher than 50% of other states. Much like tobacco excise taxes, the gas tax in Georgia is included in the price you see at the pump. Georgians can expect to pay an extra $0.26 per gallon every time they fill-up their tank.

Own a diesel vehicle? You can expect an even higher rate of $0.29 per gallon.

All real and personal property in Georgia is subject to the state’s property tax unless specifically exempted by law. Real property includes any land and any buildings built on it or affixed to it. Personal property qualifies as everything owned that is not categorized as real estate.

Each of Georgia's 159 counties use their own property tax administration system and millage rates to calculate the ad valorem tax due. Georgia property taxes are owed on properties owned on January 1 for the current tax year, and normally due on December 20 for the majority of counties.

Looking to calculate how much property tax you’ll owe to the state? Find your county’s millage rate and use the official formula from the Georgia Department of Revenue:

Georgia homeowners should also be aware of the state’s available homestead exemptions. These are filed with the county tax commissioner or the county tax assessor’s office.

Georgia taxpayers who have inherited money or property from a deceased descendant are not subject to any inheritance or estate taxes. Currently, there are only six states that levy an inheritance tax: Iowa, Maryland, Nebraska, New Jersey, Kentucky, and Pennsylvania.

In the event that you are a Georgia resident and inherit property from someone who lives in one of the six states that does impose inheritance and estate taxes, you may receive a tax bill for the out-of-state property. However you won’t be taxed if the deceased is your former spouse.

Georgia’s list of available tax credits in impressively long, however the majority of these credits are only applicable to businesses. There are a few that individual taxpayers may qualify for. These include:

Historic Homes Rehabilitation Credit: Qualifying applicants can earn a state income tax credit equaling 25% of qualifying rehabilitation expenses on a refurbished historic home. The home in question must be rehabilitated per the Department of Natural Resources’ standards. Applicable expenses are capped at $100,000 for personal real estate, and $300,000, $5 million, or $10 million for all other historic properties.

Qualified Education Expense Credit: Depending on your filing status, you may be able to earn up to $2,500 in deductible tax credit when you donate to Georgia’s Qualified Education Expense Tax Credit Program . See our break-down chart below.

• Single: $1,000
• Married filing separately: $1,250
• Married filing jointly: $2,500

The funds donated to this program go toward helping public school students access an education better suited for their needs.

Disabled Person Home Purchase/Retrofit Credit: Permanently disabled taxpayers with an official state-issued parking permit may qualify for a credit of up to $500 for purchasing a single-family home that includes certain accessibility features. This credit also applies to a disabled or non-disabled spouse if the diabled taxpayer files a joint return.

Child and Dependent Care Expense Credit: Georgia taxpayers who have claimed and received a child and dependent care expense credit on their federal tax return may be eligible for the same state-level credit. On your state taxes, you can claim 30% of the amount awarded for your federal credit.

At Community Tax, we work hard to find every potential tax credit you may qualify for—reducing your final tax bill one dollar-for-dollar credit at a time.

Residents of Georgia can either take a standard deduction or itemized deduction on their state return. Keep in mind that however you assessed your deductions on your federal return must directly correspond to the method in which you assess your Georgia state deductions.

The 2019 standard deductions by filing status are:

• Single and head of household — $4,600
• Married filing joint return — $6,000
• Married filing separate return — $3,000

For the 2019 tax year, the standard deduction has been modified for the following taxpayer filing statuses.

• For Single and Head of Household filers - the standard deduction has changed from $3,000 to $4,600
• For Married Filing Jointly filers with both spouses working- the standard deduction has changed from $1,500 to $3,000
• For Married Filing Jointly with one spouse working- the standard deduction has changed from $3,000 to $6,000

Planning to itemize your Georgia state tax return deductions? You’ll use the same deductions claimed on your federal return on your Georgia return. These include:

• Home mortgage interest
• Property, state, and local income taxes
• Investment interest expenses
• Medical expenses
• Charitable donations

You may be required to reassess and add back in certain types of income that are exempt in Georgia. For example, investment interest expenses are non-deductible in Georgia, so you’ll be legally required to add that value back into your tax liability.

If you’re looking to get a leg up before tax season rolls around and get a rough estimate of how much money you’ll owe or get back, we have the perfect tool for you.

Our Georgia tax calculator is incredibly user-friendly and easy to navigate— all you need to do is enter the following information:

• Adjusted gross income (AGI)
• Zip code
• Number of exemptions
• Number of dependents
• List of tax credits or deductions you qualify for

Number-crunching and data-searching can be a headache, check out our many tax tips and tax preparation services to ensure the process is as smooth-sailing as possible.

Filing and paying Georgia state taxes can be done digitally or manually. Residents have the option to file and pay online or fill out a downloadable paper form. The site accepts many payment forms including:

• Personal check
• Money order
• Credit card (MasterCard, Visa, American Express, or Discover)

Using the Georgia Department of Revenue’s hub site, you can do everything from requesting a payment plan to accessing payment vouchers.

It is incredibly important for Georgia taxpayers to remember that they are responsible for fulfilling both state and federal tax duties by April 15th of every fiscal year. Even if you are moving your residence to another state, keep in mind that your federal tax obligations follow. Because the federal tax code applies to all citizens across the 50 states, you won’t have to worry about learning any new stipulations or regulations.

The IRS can be unforgiving when it comes to filing your federal return— so be sure to handle all data and number crunching with extreme care. Outsourcing the heavy-lifting to a tax professional may be the assurance you need to brave the season. Count on Community Tax to get you the most out of your upcoming tax return!