New committee will evaluate possible termination of Georgia’s state income tax

The bipartisan committee will work before the 2026 legislative session to determine how the state would fund its services if the tax were eliminated.

July 23, 2025

Taylor Gilchrist,

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — Georgia lawmakers are exploring how workers across the state could soon take home more of their earnings.

Lt. Gov. Burt Jones (R-Ga.) recently announced the creation of a new Georgia Senate committee focused on eliminating the state’s income tax. The bipartisan committee will work before the 2026 legislative session to determine how the state would fund its services if the tax were eliminated. State Sen. Larry Walker III (R-Perry) is on the committee and says he’s grateful for the opportunity to help provide relief for Georgia’s workforce.

“We’ll look at all the options that are on the table and see where we can give some relief to Georgians that are certainly suffering and struggling under the high inflation we are still experiencing and having trouble making ends meet,” Walker said.

Of the nearly $38 billion Fiscal Year 2026 state budget, Walker says more than 50% goes toward some form of education. Walker says protecting that investment, along with infrastructure and public safety, are among his priorities when evaluating the future of the state income tax. Walker credited the tax rebate and other relief the state has provided in recent years, and says he’ll fight for more, but adds that an elimination of the state income tax would take time.

“I think that if we do see a pathway to get to 0 on the state income tax, which again I’m for if it’s feasible, I think we’ve just got to be prudent in the way we do it,” Walker said. “It would be phased in over a period of time. It’s not something you’re going to wake up and we’re going to say ‘hey, you’re not going to owe any state income tax in 2026.’ “

The committee will meet four times before the start of the 2026 legislative session in January. There are currently nine states across the country that don’t have a state income tax.