TAX & LICENSE / STATE TAX SYSTEM

Georgia

Income Tax
Georgia imposes a tax on individual income that is graduated according to income level and based on the taxpayer’s federal adjusted gross income. Your filing status, income level, deductions, credits, and exemptions will all affect the tax owed. However, the maximum tax rate is 6 percent. State tax returns are due no later than April 15 for the previous calendar year, and Georgia does allow credit for income tax paid to other states. For details on income tax in Georgia, contact:

Georgia Department of Revenue
Income Tax Division
877-423-6711
https://dor.georgia.gov

Tax Refund Status
404-656-6286
800-338-2389
https://dor.georgia.gov

Sales/Use Tax
Georgia imposes a 4 percent statewide sales tax, a one percent mass transit tax in Fulton and DeKalb counties only, a one percent Homestead Local Option Tax in DeKalb and Rockdale counties only, a one percent Local Option Tax, a one percent Educational Local Option Tax, and/or a one percent Special Local Option Tax. Tax rates vary but the maximum rate is 7 percent. Sales taxes are imposed on retail sales and certain services at the consumer level. Use taxes are due on purchases made via the Internet or catalog orders where taxes have not been collected by the selling company but the goods are used in Georgia. Use taxes are paid directly to the Department of Revenue.

Property Tax
All real property and all personal property are taxable unless the property has been exempted by law. Property taxes are billed and collected by the County Tax Commissioner. County tax bills include both the fair market value and assessed value of the property. Taxable tangible personal property is assessed at 40 percent of its fair market value. Real property is assessed at the same rate unless otherwise specified. The State offers homestead exemptions to persons that own and occupy their home as a primary residence. Many counties offer homestead exemptions that are more beneficial to the taxpayer than the state exemptions. Homestead exemptions are filed with the county tax commissioner or the county tax assessor’s office. For more information or answers to specific questions, contact your county officials:

Real Estate Transfer Tax
When real property is sold or transferred for consideration with a value of $100 or more, a real estate transfer tax is imposed as an excise tax for the privilege of selling property. Based on the property’s fair market value, real estate transfer tax is imposed at a rate of $1 for the first $1000 plus 10 cents for each additional $100 or fractional part of $100. The real estate transfer tax is paid by the seller unless otherwise agreed by contract between the parties, and this tax must be paid before a deed can be recorded in the office of the clerk of the superior court. The website for the Georgia Superior Court Clerks Cooperative Authority (GSCCA) offers a list of frequently asked questions about the electronic filing of the form PT-61. This organization will also assist you with any problems you encounter during electronic filing. For general questions about real estate transfer tax, contact the Property Tax Division of the Georgia Department of Revenue.

GSCCCA
Electronic Filing Assistance
https://www.gsccca.org

Georgia Department of Revenue
Property Tax Division
404-724-7000
https://dor.georgia.gov

Ad Valorem Vehicle Tax and Title Tax

Ad Valorem Tax
Vehicles purchase and registered before March, 1, 2013
Each year every motor vehicle owned and registered in Georgia is subject of ad valorem taxes imposed by local taxing jurisdictions. These taxes are base don the vehicle’s assessed value determined the state and local millage rate set by the local tax board. The assessed value is 40 percent of the state valuation or 50 percent of the fair market value plus 50 percent of the wholesale value.
https://dor.georgia.gov/title-ad-valorem-tax-tavt-faq

Vehicle Title Tax
Beginning in March 2013 residents are required to pay a Vehicle Title Tax based on the value of the vehicle. The new form of vehicle tax replaces the previously charged Ad Valorem vehicle tax for vehicles purchase after the start date of the new law. The rules regarding the tax are complex and not every vehicle is subject to the same tax. Please visit the link below for further details and for answers to frequently asked questions:

Vehicle Title Tax F.A.Q
https://georgia.gov/use-ad-valorem-tax-calculator

Title Tax Calculator and Information
https://georgia.gov/use-ad-valorem-tax-calculator

Estate Taxes
While Georgia has no gift tax or inheritance tax, the state does impose an estate tax in the amount allowable by the Internal Revenue Service as a credit for state death taxes. In effect, the estate taxes paid to Georgia may be used to reduce the estate taxes due to the IRS. For more information on estate taxes, contact:

Georgia Department of Revenue
Estate Tax Division
877-602-8477
https://dor.georgia.gov

South Carolina

State Income Tax
South Carolina taxes individual personal income at graduated rates ranging from 6 percent to a maximum rate of 7.75 percent. The state uses four income tax brackets that are adjusted annually for inflation. Tax tables are included in the individual income tax return instructions. The other variables in your taxes include your filing status and any applicable credits, exemptions, or deductions that might apply. The state offers a number of alternatives to filing paper returns including telefile and filing online. In fact, South Carolina leads the nation in the percentage of its taxpayers that file by electronic or non-paper methods. For more information or answers to specific questions, contact:

South Carolina Department of Revenue
Taxpayer Service Center
300A Outlet Pointe Boulevard
Columbia 803-898-5000
https://dor.sc.gov

Frequently Requested Numbers

Form Request
800-768-3676

Taxpayer’s Advocate
803-898-5444

Sales and Use Tax
South Carolina imposes a statewide sales tax of 6 percent on the sale of goods and certain services. A use tax at the same rate is due on goods purchased out of state and brought into South Carolina where no sales tax has been paid. Individual counties may impose an additional sale and use tax rate if approved by local voters. Generally, all retail sales are subject to the sales tax. For more information or answers to specific questions, contact:

South Carolina Department of Revenue
Sales/Use Tax
844-898-8542
Accommodations
803-898-5970
Solid Waste
803-898-5970
https://dor.sc.gov

Property Tax
Property tax is administered and collected by local governments with assistance from the South Carolina Department of Revenue. Real and personal property are subject to the tax. Approximately two-thirds of county-levied property taxes are used for support of public education. Municipalities levy a tax on property situated within the limits of the municipality for services provided by the municipality. The tax is paid by individuals, corporations, and partnerships owning property within the state. For details on property taxes on your home or automobile, contact the assessor (property tax) or auditor (vehicle taxes) in the county of your residence. Your county treasurer and/or tax collector will also be a valuable source of information. (In counties without a tax collector, the treasurer handles tax collecting functions.)

Estates and Trusts
South Carolina taxable income of estates and trusts is taxed either to the fiduciary or to the beneficiaries in the same manner as for federal income tax purposes. For more information, contact:

South Carolina Department of Revenue
Taxpayer Service Center
Estate Taxes
803-898-5756
Gift Tax
803-898-5756
https://dor.sc.gov

Federal Tax Resources

Internal Revenue Service
Information
800-829-1040
Forms Line
800-829-3676
Tele-tax
800-829-4477
https://www.irs.gov