GA

Georgia Paycheck Calculator

See exactly what you take home after federal taxes, Georgia state income tax, Social Security, and Medicare. Updated for 2026.

State tax: 5.75% SS: 6.2% Medicare: 1.45% 2026 brackets
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1099 freelancer note: You owe both halves of Social Security & Medicare — that's 15.3% self-employment tax on top of income tax. Quarterly estimated payments due Apr 15, Jun 16, Sep 15, Jan 15.
Georgia state income tax (2026) Georgia uses a flat 5.75% state income tax rate (moving to 5.49% in 2024).
Flat 5.75% on all taxable income

Georgia Income Tax Explained (2026)

Georgia has a state income tax with a flat 5.49% (transitioning) structure. Workers earning typical wages generally pay an effective state rate between 2.9% and 5.8% depending on income and deductions. Understanding how Georgia's tax works helps you accurately predict your take-home pay and plan your withholding.

Georgia residents also pay federal income tax (10%–37%), Social Security (6.2% up to $184,500), and Medicare (1.45%). The combination of federal and state taxes is the primary driver of the gap between your gross pay and your actual paycheck.

How Georgia compares to neighboring states

South Carolina
Up to 6.5%
Higher top rate
Tennessee
No income tax
Zero tax
Alabama
Up to 5%
Similar
Florida
No income tax
Zero tax

What taxes come out of a Georgia paycheck?

A Georgia W-2 employee's paycheck is reduced by federal income tax (progressive 10%–37%), Georgia state income tax (flat 5.49% (transitioning)), Social Security at 6.2% on wages up to $184,500, and Medicare at 1.45% on all wages. High earners above $200,000 also pay an additional 0.9% Medicare surtax on excess wages.

Georgia freelancers and 1099 contractors pay self-employment tax of 15.3% — covering both employee and employer portions of Social Security and Medicare — on top of both federal and state income taxes. Half of the self-employment tax is deductible from federal adjusted gross income, reducing the effective burden slightly. Georgia freelancers must also make quarterly estimated state tax payments.

Georgia tax tips for 2026

  • Rate reduction: Georgia began transitioning to a flat income tax rate of 5.49% in 2024, with planned further reductions to 4.99% by 2029. Check the current year's rate as it may differ from 5.75%.
  • Standard deduction: Georgia's standard deduction is $5,400 for single filers and $7,100 for married filing jointly — lower than the federal standard deduction.
  • Retirement income: Georgia offers a $65,000 retirement income exclusion for taxpayers age 65 or older ($130,000 for married couples), covering pension, IRA, and 401(k) distributions.
  • Estimated taxes: Georgia requires quarterly estimated payments if you expect to owe more than $500 in state tax. Use Georgia Form 500-ES.

Frequently asked questions

Georgia is transitioning to a flat tax system. The rate for 2026 is expected to be approximately 5.39%–5.49%, reduced from the previous 5.75% top rate. The state plans to reduce the flat rate incrementally to 4.99% by 2029, making it progressively more competitive with low-tax neighboring states like Florida and Tennessee.
For a single filer earning $75,000 in Georgia in 2026, after deductions, state income tax is approximately $2,800–$3,100. Combined with federal tax (~$10,294), Social Security ($4,650), and Medicare ($1,088), total deductions are roughly $19,132. Take-home is approximately $55,868/year or ~$2,149 bi-weekly.
Georgia is retiree-friendly. Social Security benefits are fully exempt from Georgia income tax. For residents age 65 and older, up to $65,000 per person ($130,000 per couple) of retirement income — including pension, 401(k), and IRA distributions — is excluded from state income tax. This makes Georgia one of the better states for retirees in the Southeast.
Florida has no state income tax, while Georgia has a rate around 5.49% (declining). On a $75,000 salary, a Georgia resident pays approximately $2,800 more in state taxes than a Florida resident each year. However, Georgia generally has lower property taxes and cost of living than South Florida, so the total tax burden is more competitive than the income tax rate alone suggests.
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