Georgia has moved to a flat income tax and is cutting it faster than originally scheduled, with the corporate rate now matched to the individual rate. Its filing dates track the federal calendar, and it offers an elective pass-through entity tax at the flat rate.
Georgia Tax Deadlines at a Glance (2026)
Entity Type | Return Due | Extended Due Date |
|---|---|---|
Individuals (Form 500) | April 15, 2026 | October 15, 2026 |
C Corporations (Form 600) | April 15, 2026 | October 15, 2026 |
S Corporations (Form 600S) | March 16, 2026 | September 15, 2026 |
Partnerships (Form 700) | March 16, 2026 | September 15, 2026 |
Trusts & Estates (Form 501) | April 15, 2026 | October 15, 2026 |
Georgia S corporations and partnerships follow the federal third-month deadline — March 16, 2026 (March 15 falls on a Sunday) — extending to September 15. Individuals, C corporations, and fiduciaries file by April 15. One nuance CPAs should not conflate: the net worth tax portion of Form 600 is due on the 15th day of the 4th month following the beginning of the tax year — a separate deadline from the income tax.
Georgia’s New Flat Rate
Georgia’s income tax is now a flat rate, and it is falling: 5.19% for the 2025 tax year (filed in 2026), accelerated to 4.99% for 2026 under 2026 legislation. The corporate rate is matched to the individual rate — also 5.19% for 2025 — so the old 5.75% corporate figure is obsolete. Both move together each year.
Elective PTE Tax and Retirement Exclusion
Georgia’s elective pass-through entity tax (HB 149) lets S corporations and partnerships pay at the entity level. Its rate is matched to the individual flat rate — 5.19% for 2025, not the frequently-cited 5.75%. The election is annual and irrevocable, made on Form 600S or 700. Georgia also offers a valuable retirement income exclusion — up to $35,000 per taxpayer at ages 62–64 and up to $65,000 at 65 and older — worth planning around for retiree clients.
Estimates, Extensions, and Penalties
Individual estimated payments (Form 500-ES) are due April 15, June 15, September 15, 2026, and January 15, 2027. A federal extension is automatically honored — attach a copy — or file Form IT-303; use Form IT-560 to pay any balance by the original date. Late-filing penalty is 5% per month (max 25%); late-payment is 0.5% per month; the 2026 interest rate is 9.75%.
CPA Action Steps
Apply the flat 5.19% (2025) / 4.99% (2026) rate to both individual and corporate returns
Use 5.19%, not 5.75%, for the PTE election
Keep the net worth tax deadline separate from the income tax
Model the retirement income exclusion for clients 62+
Verify current rates and dates against the Georgia Department of Revenue (dor.georgia.gov) before filing.