State Taxes

Tax breaks are enacted each year and, once in the tax code, remain there without evaluation or scrutiny. These tax preferences shrink the tax base and many reduce fairness by shifting taxes onto other businesses and individuals who do not receive the exemption or cause lawmakers to reduce state services.… [Read more]

The report offers recommendations to the 2010 Tax Reform Council that stress a workable combination of raising enough money to meet Georgia’s needs, updating the system to reflect today’s economy, and tying the system more closely to ability to pay. Download the PDF.

The General Assembly passed bills to raise $438 million and improve tax collections during the recent legislative session, but it continued to pass long-term tax cuts in this recession, disregarded other revenue proposals, and shifted taxes onto middle- and low-income Georgians. The governor vetoed a bill with the most costly… [Read more]

The General Assembly took some positive steps to address the $5 billion deficit. However, they continued passing long-term tax cuts during this Great Recession ($624 million a year), disregarded other revenue options, and shifted the cost of services onto the middle- and low- income. If the gov vetoes HBs 1023… [Read more]

This report documents the Senate’s amendment to a house bill that raises taxes on the poorest during this recession, but leaves intact a credit for corporations. It includes a chart showing that low and middle-income Georgians already pay a higher portion of their income in taxes than wealthy Georgians. [Read more]

The House of Reps passed bills to raise nearly $300 million in new revenues and improve tax collections. However, they continued to pass long-term tax cuts ($380 million a year) and to disregard other tax options, such as reassessing existing tax exemptions. Download the PDF.

Capital gains tax preferences are costly, inequitable, and ineffective. They deprive states of millions of dollars in needed funds, benefit almost exclusively the very wealthiest members of society, and fail to promote economic growth in the manner their proponents claim. Download the PDF.

Governor Perdue recently ordered three percent more in cuts to the Department of Human Services (DHS), which is charged with protecting the most vulnerable Georgians, such as abused children and the elderly. Download the PDF.

More than 1 million Georgia taxpayers claimed the Low Income Tax Credit in 2007, receiving $29 million in credits. If legislators eliminate the refundable portion of the credit, they will be cutting the Low Income Tax Credit by two-thirds, lowering the total credits to low-income Georgians by $21.8 million, according… [Read more]

Georgia’s Tobacco Revenue Is Likely to More Than Double if HB 39 Passes, Despite Declining Sales Without new revenues, Georgia is facing multi-billion dollar deficits in FY 2011 and FY 2012. The state is already experiencing deep cuts to essential services. Lawmakers Should Pass House Bill 39 as Part of… [Read more]