State Taxes

State leaders have already cut nearly $2 billion in spending since before the recession, a truly massive blow to the state’s economic health and Governor Deal has signed four bills into law that will create an approximately $85 million shortfall in the next two fiscal years. Although some of the policy… [Read more]

The Georgia Budget & Policy Institute’s new report Georgia’s Income Tax Essential for State’s Economy and Families examines Georgia’s income tax, provides a comprehensive overview of the economies of no-income-tax states, and outlines why income taxes are essential to Georgia’s well-being.
According to GBPI’s report, there is no evidence that… [Read more]

In the final days of the 2012 legislative session, the General Assembly passed an omnibus tax bill, HB 386,that falls short of the comprehensive tax reform Georgia needs to bring the tax system into the 21st century. While it exhibits some prudence by acknowledging the importance of revenues, HB 386… [Read more]

House leaders deserve significant credit for their responsibility on tax policy so far this session. If in the remaining legislative days the Senate passes six tax bills passed by the House, this would be the first time in years that Georgia avoids a significant revenue hit.
The landscape could still… [Read more]

By essentially any measure, Georgia is a low-tax, low-regulation, business-friendly state. So, why does Georgia’s business tax climate rank 34th in the nation in the Tax Foundation’s latest report?
The Tax Foundation’s business climate rankings are not a meaningful measure of a state’s overall business friendliness. The rankings do not… [Read more]

Many Georgia policymakers and business leaders contend the state has a shortage of venture capital, a form of business financing that helps fund early stage companies.  To remedy this problem, some Georgia leaders are considering CAPCO legislation, an expensive tax credit program advertised as a jobs and economic development bill.… [Read more]

This policy brief provides an overview of the financial performance and expenditure activity related to the Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (ESPLOST) initiatives for Atlanta Public Schools, City Schools of Decatur, DeKalb County School System and Fulton County School System. Download the PDF.

State revenues will decrease by almost $100 million in FY 2012 due to five tax bills signed by the governor. This report looks at the official fiscal notes of tax bills passed by the House and Senate and signed by the governor that will affect state revenue. [Read more]

Tax reform might be dead for legislative session, but there are several tax bills still in play. The policy brief provides an update on bills altered by the House or Senate that now await agreement. Download the PDF.

When fully implemented, tax changes in HB 388 will result in an annual revenue loss of $141 million to $185 million—revenue losses Georgia can’t afford. This fact sheet provides an overview of significant changes to the revised bill. Download the PDF.