How a Georgia paycheck is built
Every Georgia worker pays federal income tax, calculated on the W-4 you submitted to your employer using the IRS Publication 15-T tables. Federal income tax is followed by FICA: 6.2 percent Social Security up to the annual wage base, plus 1.45 percent Medicare on every dollar. The 0.9 percent Additional Medicare Tax applies once year-to-date wages cross $200,000 single or $250,000 married filing jointly.
Georgia adds a flat state income tax of approximately 5.39 percent. Verify the current rate with the Georgia Department of Revenue.
What changed recently in Georgia
- Flat rate 5.39% in 2024, scheduled to drop annually through 2028.
- Standard deduction increased to $24,000 (joint) and $12,000 (single) in 2024.
- No paid leave program. No SDI.
Georgia payroll quirks workers should know
- Georgia G-4 form replaces federal W-4 logic for state withholding.
- No local Georgia income tax.
- Georgia has reciprocity with no other states. Cross-border commuters get full Georgia tax.
Example breakdown
A hypothetical Georgia worker on a $65,000 annual salary, paid bi-weekly, single filer, no extra adjustments. Educational only, your real paycheck differs.
| Gross (bi-weekly) | $2,500.00 |
| Federal income tax | -$216.15 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$155.00 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$36.25 |
| Georgia state tax | -$134.75 |
| Estimated take-home | $1,957.85 |
Run your own numbers in the Georgia paycheck calculator.