Georgia Sales and Use Tax

What is the Georgia sales tax?    4%

Click for larger image The Georgia sales tax rate is currently 4%. In Georgia, each county, city and special district can add sales taxes on top of the state rate.

Taxes in Georgia are destination-based, meaning the Georgia sales tax rate is based, or determined from, the destination location an item is shipped to. This complicates business for retailers who need to have the exact and up-to-date sales tax rate for every shipment they make.

To see a full breakout of Georgia sales tax rates by state, county, city and special district, use our easy Georgia sales tax calculator. After putting in any ZIP code, you can enter a retail price to calculate Georgia sales tax totals.

What is the Georgia use tax?

The Georgia state use tax rate is the same as the state, county, city and special district rates.

If you reside in GA, use tax is due to the state on any and all transactions where sales tax has not been paid, even out-of-state internet sales.

Who has to pay Georgia sales tax or use tax?

In general, a business must collect and remit all applicable Georgia sales taxes if that business has nexus, a physical presence such as a brick-and-mortar location, within a given state. The presence of an employee or salesperson, delivery by the seller's vehicle, and storage of materials usually establishes nexus as well.

Georgia says that an out-of-state seller is required to collect tax if they can be defined as "retailers" and "dealers". Georgia does not currently have additional laws establishing nexus for other reasons such as out-of-state businesses using in-state affiliates, advertisers or vendors, or businesses that make internet sales or mail catalogs.

If you are not sure if you have established nexus in Georgia, you can usually get free help by contacting the Georgia Department of Revenue. Click here for an updated listing of direct phone numbers. You could also contact a qualified certified public accountant or lawyer who specializes in tax law in Georgia. Click here for listing of recommended resources.

Special rules applying to Georgia:

• Shipping is taxable.
• Finance charges are exempt from sales tax.
• Clothing is taxed at the same rate as the general sales tax.
• Georgia Sales tax holidays have been held in the past, but have not been authorized yet this year.

Since Georgia legislators can vote to change the Georgia sales tax and use tax rates at any time, it is very difficult for individuals to keep track of the changes. The population of GA state is also rapidly changing, which can cause frequent updates to the ZIP codes and local municipality names and complicates the job of keeping track of Georgia sales tax jurisdictions.

Georgia Department of Revenue
Georgia State Website