Georgia state taxes
As a business owner, you must understand your state tax obligations.
Georgia corporate income tax
In Georgia, corporations are subject to a flat income tax rate of 5.39% on their Georgia taxable net income.
How is the corporate income tax calculated?
The corporate income tax is calculated by starting with the corporation's federal taxable income as reported to the IRS. This amount is adjusted based on Georgia-specific additions and subtractions as defined by state tax laws, resulting in the Georgia taxable net income. The tax owed is then determined by applying the 5.39% tax rate to this taxable net income.
Who is liable for the corporate income tax?
In Georgia, corporations are liable for corporate income tax if incorporated in the state, conducting business there, or having nexus. A corporation has nexus in Georgia if it:
- Owns or leases property in the state.
- Has employees working in Georgia.
- Conducts business through offices, facilities, or other physical presence in Georgia.
- Engages in substantial economic activity in Georgia, including certain levels of sales or transactions
Georgia net worth tax
Unlike other states that may have a franchise tax, Georgia has a net worth tax. This tax applies to the corporation’s net worth and is assessed for the privilege of conducting business or maintaining a corporate franchise in Georgia.
Who is liable for the net worth tax?
Corporations operating in Georgia are required to file a net worth tax return. Companies with a net worth under $100,000 are exempt, while those with a net worth over $22 million pay a maximum tax of $5,000. Filing deadlines depend on the corporation's incorporation or qualification date.
How is the net worth tax calculated?
The net worth tax in Georgia is calculated based on a corporation's taxable net worth.
- For Georgia corporations and domesticated foreign corporations, the tax applies to 100% of their taxable net worth.
- For corporations incorporated outside Georgia, the tax is determined using an apportionment ratio. This ratio is calculated by dividing the corporation’s property and gross receipts located within Georgia by its total property and gross receipts everywhere. This apportioned amount represents the portion of the corporation’s net worth subject to Georgia’s net worth tax.
See the Georgia Department of Revenue website for more information on the net worth tax.
Excise taxes
In Georgia, excise taxes are levied on specific goods and services, including alcoholic beverages, gasoline, and tobacco products. These taxes contribute to state revenue and fund various public services, including transportation infrastructure and public health programs.
- Alcoholic beverages: Georgia imposes excise taxes on various alcoholic beverages, with rates varying by type. For instance, distilled spirits are taxed at a rate of 50¢ per liter for spirits manufactured inside Georgia, and $1 per liter for those manufactured outside the state.
- Tobacco products: Cigarettes in Georgia are subject to an excise tax of 37 cents per pack of 20 cigarettes. Other tobacco products, such as cigars and smokeless tobacco, are taxed based on weight or wholesale price.
- Motor fuels: As of January 1, 2025, Georgia's state excise tax rates for gasoline is $0.331 cents per gallon.
Unemployment tax
As in all states, employers must pay federal unemployment insurance (UI) taxes. In Georgia, employers are also required to pay state unemployment insurance (UI) taxes.
The taxable wage base for 2025 is $9,500 per employee. Tax rates for employers vary based on their experience rating and can range from 0.04% to 8.1%. Newly liable employers are typically assigned a beginning tax rate of 2.7%.
Employers must file tax and wage reports quarterly, with deadlines on April 30, July 31, October 31, and January 31. Timely filing and payment are essential to remain in compliance and avoid penalties.
Local taxes
In addition to federal and state taxes, many cities, counties, and other jurisdictions in Georgia levy other kinds of local taxes to fund essential services and infrastructure such as schools, roads, police, and fire protection.
Sales and use taxes:
In Georgia, a sales and use tax is applied to most tangible goods and certain services. The statewide base sales tax rate is 4%. Local counties and municipalities may impose their own sales taxes, leading to higher combined rates depending on the location.
For example, the total sales tax rate in Appling County is 8%, which includes:
- State sales tax: 4%
- Local Option Sales Tax (LOST): 1%
- Educational Local Option Sales Tax (ELOST): 1%
- Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST): 1%
- Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (TSPLOST): 1%
It's important to note that local rates can vary by jurisdiction and may change over time. Consult the Georgia Department of Revenue or local tax authorities to determine the current applicable sales tax rates for specific locations.
Remote seller tax considerations
In Georgia, remote sellers—businesses without a physical presence in the state—are required to collect and remit sales and use tax if their total sales into Georgia equal or exceed $100,000 in the previous or current calendar year. This obligation arises from the state's economic nexus laws, which mandate tax collection based on sales volume rather than physical presence.
Remote sellers meeting this threshold must register with the Georgia Department of Revenue to ensure compliance with state tax laws.
Property taxes
In Georgia, property taxes for businesses are based on the fair market value of the property, assessed annually by local tax assessors. Taxes fund local services like schools and infrastructure and are usually due by December 20, though deadlines may vary.