Georgia tax return changes for 2026

The IT-511 booklet says Georgia conforms to the Code as enacted on or before January 1, 2025 and has not adopted the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The rate is 5.19%.

• Standard deduction: $24,000 married filing jointly; $12,000 for other statuses.
• Dependent exemption: $4,000 per dependent.
• Form 500EZ is discontinued for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2025.
• New or changed credits include the Timber Tax Credit for Hurricane Helene damage, an eligible itemizer credit of up to $300, and a child and dependent care credit at 50% of the federal credit.
• Calendar-year returns were due April 15, 2026.

The Georgia Economic Growth and Tax Relief Act of 2026, signed May 11, 2026, is retroactive to January 1, 2026. The 2026 Employer’s Tax Guide summarises it.

• The flat rate falls to 4.99%.
• Standard deduction rises to $30,000 for joint filers and $15,000 for single, head of household and separate filers.
• The dependent deduction rises from $4,000 to $5,000.
• New limited subtractions for qualified overtime and qualified cash tips apply for 2026 through 2028, subject to a $1,750 Georgia individual income tax limitation.

Employers could switch withholding to 4.99% from May 11, 2026. Reporting overtime or cash tips does not reduce Georgia withholding, so the subtraction shows up as a refund. Georgia penalty rules are at /us/penalties/georgia.