Georgia Sine Die 2026: Budget, state income tax reduction passes

Election overhaul fails to pass

Georgia lawmakers approved a sweeping tax relief package before the legislative session ended, lowering the state income tax rate and increasing deductions for millions of residents. Property tax reform remains limited, and voting system changes could be revisited in a future or special session.

ATLANTA - Georgia lawmakers approved a sweeping tax relief package before the legislative session ended, lowering the state income tax rate and increasing deductions for millions of residents.

State income tax

What we know:

The bill reduces the state income tax rate from 5.19% to 4.99%, with a plan to gradually bring it down to 3.99% over the next eight years, as long as state revenues can support the cuts.

Lawmakers also increased the standard deduction from $12,000 to $15,000 for single filers and from $24,000 to $30,000 for married couples. Those amounts are expected to continue rising to $18,000 for individuals and $36,000 for couples in the coming years.

Additional provisions in the bill include raising the retirement income deduction for Georgians age 65 and older from $65,000 to $70,000. The legislation also exempts certain earnings — including some tips and overtime — from state income taxes.

Supporters say the measure will provide both immediate relief and long-term savings for taxpayers across the state.

New ethics bill could block GOP candidate

The Georgia Senate unanimously passed a bill that could disqualify Rick Jackson from the governor's race due to his company's billion-dollar state contracts.

Property tax cap

What we know:

The session also addressed property tax concerns, though lawmakers acknowledged the final measure was limited. The approved bill caps assessment value increases but does not cap tax rates — something House leaders said they hope to revisit next year.

Sine Die: Georgia property tax cap fails

Georgia lawmakers face a midnight deadline to finalize the state budget and decide the fate of controversial bills regarding election security and tax relief.

Election overhaul

What we know:

Meanwhile, a proposal to overhaul Georgia’s voting system failed to pass before the session ended. Lawmakers said the issue could return in a future session, and there is a possibility the governor could call a special session to address it.