Use our Georgia Paycheck Calculator to quickly figure out how much you’ll take home after taxes. Just enter your salary, pay frequency, and deductions, and get a detailed breakdown of your gross pay, taxes, and net pay in seconds.
How Your Georgia Paycheck is Calculated
Your take-home pay depends on several factors, including your gross income, tax withholdings, and deductions. The basic formula is:
Gross Pay – (Federal Taxes + State Taxes + Local Taxes + FICA) = Net Pay
Here’s a breakdown of key terms:
- Gross Pay: The total amount you earn before any taxes or deductions.
- Federal Income Tax: The tax withheld based on IRS tax brackets, filing status, and allowances.
- FICA Taxes: Federal Insurance Contributions Act taxes, which include Social Security and Medicare.
- State Income Tax: The portion of your income withheld by the state of Georgia.
- Local Taxes: Additional taxes some cities or counties may apply.
A Guide to Georgia State Payroll Taxes
Georgia State Income Tax
Georgia uses a flat income tax structure. As of 2025, the state applies a 5.39 percent flat tax rate on taxable income, replacing its previous graduated system. This simplifies withholding for both employers and employees.
| Taxable Income | 2025 Tax Rate |
|---|---|
| All income levels | 5.39% |
Standard Deduction (2025):
- Single filers: 12,000 dollars
- Married filing jointly: 24,000 dollars
Georgia also provides personal exemptions:
- Single: 2,700 dollars
- Married filing jointly: 7,400 dollars
These deductions reduce your taxable income and help determine how much of your paycheck is withheld for state taxes.
State-Specific Programs & Withholdings
Georgia does not have state disability insurance (SDI) or paid family leave programs that require employee contributions. However, all employers contribute to the state unemployment insurance (SUI) fund, which is not deducted from employee wages. Employees in Georgia do not pay SUI or SDI directly.
Understanding Federal & FICA Taxes
Federal and FICA taxes apply to all U.S. employees, regardless of where they live. These are typically the largest deductions from your paycheck aside from health insurance or retirement contributions.
- Social Security Tax: 6.2 percent of your wages, up to the annual limit of 168,600 dollars in 2025.
- Medicare Tax: 1.45 percent of all wages, with an additional 0.9 percent for employees earning over 200,000 dollars annually.
Your employer matches your FICA contributions for Social Security and Medicare, effectively doubling the total paid into these programs.
Local Taxes in Georgia
Most cities and counties in Georgia do not impose local income taxes. Unlike states such as Ohio or Pennsylvania, Georgia employees typically only pay federal and state income taxes. However, some municipalities may have specific occupational or business taxes that affect certain employers.
Whether you live in Atlanta, Macon, Columbus, or Savannah, your paycheck will generally include only federal and state withholdings, along with any voluntary deductions like health insurance or retirement contributions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Georgia Paychecks
What is the minimum wage in Georgia?
Georgia’s minimum wage is 5.15 dollars per hour, but most employees are covered under federal law and must be paid the federal minimum wage of 7.25 dollars per hour.
How often are paydays in Georgia?
Georgia employers can pay employees weekly, bi-weekly, semi-monthly, or monthly. The most common schedule is bi-weekly.
What is the Georgia state tax rate for 2025?
In 2025, Georgia has a flat state income tax rate of 5.39 percent for all income levels.
Are 1099 contractors subject to Georgia taxes?
Yes. Independent contractors are responsible for paying both federal and state income taxes directly, as taxes are not withheld from their pay. They must also pay self-employment taxes, which cover both the employee and employer portions of FICA.
What are the overtime laws in Georgia?
Georgia follows federal overtime laws under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Employees who work more than 40 hours in a workweek must receive at least 1.5 times their regular hourly rate for overtime hours.
Check out other state calculators