Georgia Tax Filling

Filing Your Georgia State Taxes

It is tax season again! Figuring out and filing your tax forms can be intimidating – but there is help. Here you will find answers, forms and more that will make your paperwork easier, faster and less stressful. The information below will help you determine your residency status, find the correct forms you need and give you other information you want to get started.

State income tax returns for 2012 are due April 15.

Comparing Your Options in Online Tax Software

TurboTax and H&R Block are the most prominent online tax software providers for those who do their own taxes. All are appropriate for many types of personal and business tax preparation. They differ in pricing and each has its own positives and negatives. So check them out, compare and read the reviews to pick the one that’s best for you.

TurboTax offers FREE Georgia State tax filing services. Click on the provider to find out if you qualify.

Georgia Tax Forms

• Georgia Form IND-CR - Georgia Individual Credit Form
• Georgia Form IT-303 - Georgia Application for Extension of Time for Filing State Income Tax Returns
• Georgia IT-560 - Georgia Payment of Income Tax By Corporate Taxpayers Who Had An Extension
• Georgia Form 500 - Georgia Individual Income Tax return (Long) (includes Schedule 3)
• Georgia Form 500EZ - Georgia Individual Income Tax Return (Short)
• Georgia Form IT-511 - Georgia Individual Income Tax Instruction Booklet
• Georgia Form 500X - Georgia Amended Individual Income Tax Return
• Georgia Form 501 - Georgia Fiduciary Income Tax Return
• Georgia Form 501X - Amended Georgia Fiduciary Income Tax Return
• Georgia Form GA-8453 - Georgia Individual Income Tax Declaration for Electronic Filing Summary of Agreement Between Taxpayer and ERO or Paid Preparer
• Georgia Form 500-NOL - Georgia Application for Net Operating Loss Adjustment (other than corporations)

Determine Your Residency Status

The amount of your taxes depends on your residency status, so check below to see which category you fall in.

You Are a Resident of Georgia

If you keep your legal residency in Georgia, you are a resident of Georgia even if you temporarily leave the state.

As a resident of Georgia, you need to file your tax return under three different sets of circumstances: either you had to file a federal tax return, you have income that cannot be taxed by the federal system but can be taxed in Georgia, or if you earned an amount larger than Georgia’s standard deduction and individual exemptions.

Even if you income is lower than the required threshold, you may still want to file a return with Georgia, in order to claim a tax return or refund through a low-income credit. You can find out more by reading Form 511, where you’ll find instructions on how to fill out Form 500, Georgia’s personal income tax return document.

You Are a Part-Year Georgia Resident

If you have been residing in Georgia for only part of the year, you are considered a part-year Georgia resident. You should use Form 500 and Schedule 3 (can be found on page 6 of Form 500). For more information, check the instructions in Form 511 on how to fill Form 500 and Schedule 3.

If you are a part-year resident, you can qualify for a low-income tax credit if you lived in Georgia at the end of the previous tax year (other conditions may apply as well).

You Are a Georgia Resident Who Works in a Different State

As a resident of Georgia, you must pay taxes on all income you earned, no matter the source (inside or outside the state). To avoid dual taxation, you can apply for a tax credit in Georgia. To do that, make sure you attach a copy of the tax return with the other state to your Georgia tax filing (Form 500).

If you are a full or part-year resident, you should fill out the worksheet in Form 511 (page 14) to help the authorities calculate your credit for taxes paid in a different state. If you paid taxes to more than one other state, you have to sum up all the taxes paid in other states in order to have your credit calculated. If you earned income in a different state, but that state did not tax you, you will not receive a tax credit in Georgia for that income. Also, you should keep in mind that tax credits cannot surpass Georgia’s income tax, and credits will not be granted for money earned in a different country.

You Are a Nonresident Who Works in Georgia

If you don’t legally reside in Georgia, but filed a federal return and earned more than 5% of your total salary (or at least $5,000) from a job in Georgia, then you have to file a tax return with the state of Georgia.

There are other cases when you need to file a tax return with Georgia, even if you are a nonresident. For example, if you filed a federal return, and, in Georgia, you won the lottery, made income from rent or from other entities (S-corporations, partnerships, LLC’s, trusts, estates).

To file your return with Georgia, use Form 500 and include Schedule 3 (page 6 of Form 500). For more information, check the instructions in Form 511 on how to fill Form 500 and Schedule 3.