Section 48-7-27. Computation of taxable net income

   (a) Georgia taxable net income of an individual shall be the taxpayer's federal adjusted gross income, as defined in the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, less:

   (1) Either the sum of all itemized nonbusiness deductions used in computing federal taxable income if the taxpayer used itemized nonbusiness deductions in computing federal taxable income or, if the taxpayer could not or did not itemize nonbusiness deductions, then a standard deduction as provided for in the following subparagraphs:

      (A) In the case of a single taxpayer or a head of household, $2,300.00;

      (B) In the case of a married taxpayer filing a separate return, $1,500.00;

      (C) In the case of a married couple filing a joint return, $3,000.00;

      (D) An additional deduction of $1,300.00 for the taxpayer if the taxpayer has attained the age of 65 before the close of the taxpayer's taxable year. An additional deduction of $1,300.00 for the spouse of the taxpayer shall be allowed if a joint return is made by the taxpayer and the taxpayer's spouse and the spouse has attained the age of 65 before the close of the taxable year; and

      (E) An additional deduction of $1,300.00 for the taxpayer if the taxpayer is blind at the close of the taxable year. An additional deduction of $1,300.00 for the spouse of the taxpayer shall be allowed if a joint return is made by the taxpayer and the taxpayer's spouse and the spouse is blind at the close of the taxable year. For the purposes of this subparagraph, the determination of whether the taxpayer or the spouse is blind shall be made at the close of the taxable year except that, if either the taxpayer or the spouse dies during the taxable year, the determination shall be made as of the time of the death;

   (2) The exemptions provided for in Code Section 48-7-26 together with the adjustments provided for in subsection (b) of this Code section;
      (3)(A) The amount of salary and wage expenses eliminated in computing the individual's federal adjusted gross income because the individual has taken a federal jobs tax credit which requires, as a condition to using the federal jobs tax credit, the elimination of related salary and wage expenses.

      (B) The amount of mortgage interest eliminated from federal itemized deductions for the purpose of computing mortgage interest credit on the federal return;
      (4)(A) Income received from public pension or retirement funds, programs, or systems the income from which is exempted by federal law or treaty when the income is otherwise included in the taxpayer's federal adjusted gross income.

      (B) Except as specifically provided in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph, paragraph (5) of this subsection, and paragraph (7) of this subsection, for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 1989, no income from a public pension or retirement fund, program, or system (including those pension or retirement funds, programs, or systems provided for in Title 47) shall be exempt from income taxation in this state, notwithstanding any provision of Title 47 or any other provision of law to the contrary;
      (5)(A) Retirement income otherwise included in Georgia taxable net income shall be subject to an exclusion amount as follows:

         (i) For taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 1989, and prior to January 1, 1990, retirement income not to exceed an exclusion amount of $8,000.00 per year received from any source;

         (ii) For taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 1990, and prior to January 1, 1994, retirement income not to exceed an exclusion amount of $10,000.00 per year received from any source;

         (iii) For taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 1994, and prior to January 1, 1995, retirement income from any source not to exceed an exclusion amount of $11,000.00;

         (iv) For taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 1995, and prior to January 1, 1999, retirement income from any source not to exceed an exclusion amount of $12,000.00;

         (v) For taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 1999, and prior to January 1, 2000, retirement income from any source not to exceed an exclusion amount of $13,000.00;

         (vi) For taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2000, and prior to January 1, 2001, retirement income not to exceed an exclusion amount of $13,500.00 per year received from any source;

         (vii) For taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2001, and prior to January 1, 2002, retirement income from any source not to exceed an exclusion amount of $14,000.00;

         (viii) For taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2002, and prior to January 1, 2003, retirement income from any source not to exceed an exclusion amount of $14,500.00;

         (ix) For taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2003, and prior to January 1, 2006, retirement income from any source not to exceed an exclusion amount of $15,000.00;

         (x) For taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2006, and prior to January 1, 2007, retirement income from any source not to exceed an exclusion amount of $25,000.00;

         (xi) For taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2007, and prior to January 1, 2008, retirement income from any source not to exceed an exclusion amount of $30,000.00;

         (xii) For taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2008, and prior to January 1, 2012, retirement income from any source not to exceed an exclusion amount of $35,000.00; and

         (xiii) For taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2012, retirement income from any source not to exceed an exclusion amount of $35,000.00 for each taxpayer meeting the eligibility requirement set forth in division (i) or (ii) of subparagraph (D) of this paragraph or an amount of $65,000.00 for each taxpayer meeting the eligibility requirement set forth in division (iii) of subparagraph (D) of this paragraph.

      (B) In the case of a married couple filing jointly, each spouse shall if otherwise qualified be individually entitled to exclude retirement income received by that spouse up to the exclusion amount.

      (C) The exclusions provided for in this paragraph shall not apply to or affect and shall be in addition to those adjustments to net income provided for under any other paragraph of this subsection.

      (D) A taxpayer shall be eligible for the exclusions granted by this paragraph only if the taxpayer:

         (i) Is 62 years of age or older but less than 65 years of age during any part of the taxable year; or

         (ii) Is permanently and totally disabled in that the taxpayer has a medically demonstrable disability which is permanent and which renders the taxpayer incapable of performing any gainful occupation within the taxpayer's competence; or

         (iii) Is 65 years of age or older during any part of the year.

      (E) For the purposes of this paragraph, retirement income shall include but not be limited to interest income, dividend income, net income from rental property, capital gains income, income from royalties, income from pensions and annuities, and no more than $4,000.00 of an individual's earned income. Earned income in excess of $4,000.00, including but not limited to net business income earned by an individual from any trade or business carried on by such individual, wages, salaries, tips, and other employer compensation, shall not be regarded as retirement income. The receipt of earned income shall not diminish any taxpayer's eligibility for the retirement income exclusions allowed by this paragraph except to the extent of the express limitation provided in this subparagraph.

      (F) The commissioner shall by regulation require proof of the eligibility of the taxpayer for the exclusions allowed by this paragraph.

      (G) The commissioner shall by regulation provide that for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 1989, and ending before October 1, 1990, penalty and interest may be waived or reduced for any taxpayer whose estimated tax payments and tax withholdings are less than 70 percent of such taxpayer's Georgia income tax liability if the commissioner determines that such underpayment or deficiency is due to an increase in net taxable income attributable directly to amendments to this paragraph or paragraph (4) of this subsection enacted at the 1989 special session of the General Assembly and not due to willful neglect or fraud;

   (6) A portion of the qualified payments to minority subcontractors, as provided in Code Section 48-7-38;

   (7) Social security benefits and tier 1 railroad retirement benefits, to the extent included in federal taxable income;

   (8) The amount of a dependent's unearned income included in federal adjusted gross income of a parent's return;

   (9) An amount equal to the amount of contributions to the Teachers Retirement System of Georgia made by a taxpayer between July 1, 1987, and December 31, 1989, which contributions were not subject to federal income taxation but were subject to Georgia income taxation. The purpose of the exclusion provided for in this paragraph is to allow a taxpayer a recovery adjustment for such amount after commencement of distributions by such retirement system to such taxpayer and to establish the same basis for federal and state income tax purposes;

   (10) With respect to a taxpayer who is a self-employed individual treated as an employee pursuant to Section 401(c)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code, an amount equal to the amount paid by the taxpayer during the taxable year for insurance which constitutes medical care for the taxpayer and the spouse and dependents of the taxpayer which is not otherwise deductible by the taxpayer for federal income tax purposes because the applicable percentage for that taxable year as specified pursuant to Section 162(l) of the Internal Revenue Code is less than 100 percent;

   (11) For taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2002, and prior to January 1, 2007:

      (A) An amount equal to the amount of contributions by parents or guardians of a designated beneficiary to a savings trust account established pursuant to Article 11 of Chapter 3 of Title 20 on behalf of the designated beneficiary who is claimed as a dependent on the Georgia income tax return of the beneficiary's parents or guardians, but not exceeding $2,000.00 per beneficiary;

      (B) If the parents or guardians file joint returns, separate returns, or single returns, the sum of contributions constituting deductions on their returns under this paragraph shall not exceed $2,000.00 per beneficiary;

      (C) In order to claim the deduction for a taxable year:

         (i) Such parent or guardian must have claimed and been allowed itemized deductions pursuant to Section 63(d) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and paragraph (1) of this subsection;

         (ii) The federal adjusted gross income for such taxable year cannot exceed $100,000.00 for a joint return or $50,000.00 for a separate or single return except as provided in subparagraph (D) of this paragraph; and

         (iii) Such parent or guardian must be the account owner of the designated beneficiary's account;

      (D) The maximum deduction authorized by this paragraph for each beneficiary shall decrease by $400.00 for each $1,000.00 of federal adjusted gross income over $100,000.00 for a joint return or $50,000.00 for a separate or single return; and

      (E) For purposes of this paragraph, contributions or payments for any such taxable year may be made during or after such taxable year but on or before the deadline for making contributions to an individual retirement account pursuant to Section 219(f)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986;

   (11.1) For taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2007:

      (A) An amount equal to the amount of contributions to a savings trust account established pursuant to Article 11 of Chapter 3 of Title 20 on behalf of the designated beneficiary, but not exceeding $2,000.00 per beneficiary;

      (B) If the contributor files a separate return or single return, the sum of contributions constituting deductions on the contributor's return under this paragraph shall not exceed $2,000.00 per beneficiary;

      (C) If the contributor files a joint return, the sum of contributions constituting deductions on the contributor's return under this paragraph shall not exceed $2,000.00 per beneficiary; and

      (D) For purposes of this paragraph, contributions or payments for any such taxable year may be made during or after such taxable year but on or before the deadline for making contributions to an individual retirement account under federal law for such taxable year;

   (12) Military income received by a member of the National Guard or any reserve component of the armed services of the United States stationed in a combat zone or stationed in defense of the borders of the United States pursuant to military orders. The exclusion provided under this paragraph:

      (A) Shall apply with respect to each taxable year, or portion thereof, covered by such military orders; and

      (B) Shall apply only with respect to such member of the National Guard or any reserve component of the armed forces and only with respect to military income earned during the period covered by such military orders;

   (12.1) (A) Disability income from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs received by a disabled veteran who is a citizen and resident of Georgia.

      (B) As used in this paragraph, the term "disabled veteran" means any wartime veteran who was discharged under honorable conditions and who has been adjudicated by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs as being at least 90 percent totally and permanently disabled and entitled to receive service connected benefits and any veteran who is receiving or who is entitled to receive a statutory award from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs for:

         (i) Loss or permanent loss of use of one or both feet;

         (ii) Loss or permanent loss of use of one or both hands;

         (iii) Loss of sight in one or both eyes; or

         (iv) Permanent impairment of vision of both eyes of the following status: Central visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the better eye, with corrective glasses, or central visual acuity of more than 20/200 if there is a field defect in which the peripheral field has contracted to such an extent that the widest diameter of visual field subtends on angular distance no greater than 20 degrees in the better eye;
      (13)(A) An amount equal to the actual amount expended for organ donation expenses not to exceed the amount of $10,000.00 incurred in accordance with the "National Organ Procurement Act."

      (B) In order to qualify for the exclusion under subparagraph (A) of this paragraph, such taxpayer must, while living, donate all or part of such person's liver, pancreas, kidney, intestine, lung, or bone marrow. In the taxable year in which the donation is made, the taxpayer shall be entitled to claim the exclusion provided in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph only with respect to unreimbursed travel expenses, lodging expenses, and lost wages incurred as a direct result of the organ donation;

   (13.1) An amount equal to 100 percent of the premium paid by the taxpayer during the taxable year for high deductible health plans as defined by Section 223 of the Internal Revenue Code to the extent the deduction has not been included in federal adjusted gross income, as defined under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and the expenses have not been provided from a health reimbursement arrangement and have not been included in itemized nonbusiness deductions;

   (14) The deduction for school teachers provided and allowed by Section 62(a)(2)(D) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as enacted on or before January 1, 2005, to the extent the deduction has not been included in federal adjusted gross income, as defined under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and the expenses have not been included in itemized nonbusiness deductions; and

   (15) The deduction provided and allowed by Section 179 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as enacted on or before January 1, 2005, to the extent the deduction has not been included in federal adjusted gross income, as defined under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and the expenses have not been included in itemized nonbusiness deductions.
   (b)(1) There shall be added to the taxable income:

      (A) Dividend or interest income, to the extent that the dividend or interest income is not included in gross income for federal income tax purposes, on obligations of any state except this state or of political subdivisions except political subdivisions of this state;

      (B) Interest or dividends on obligations of the United States or of any authority, commission, instrumentality, territory, or possession of the United States which by the laws of the United States are exempt from federal income taxes but not from state income taxes; and

      (C) Income consisting of lump sum distributions from an annuity, pension plan, or similar source which were removed from federal adjusted gross income for the purposes of special federal tax computations or treatment.

   (2) There shall be subtracted from taxable income interest or dividends on obligations of the United States and its territories and possessions or of any authority, commission, or instrumentality of the United States to the extent includable in gross income for federal income tax purposes but exempt from state income taxes under the laws of the United States. Any amount subtracted under this paragraph shall be reduced by any interest expenses directly or indirectly attributable to the production of the interest or dividend income.

   (3) There shall be added to taxable income any income taxes imposed by any tax jurisdiction except the State of Georgia to the extent deducted in determining federal taxable income.

   (4) No portion of any deductions or losses including, but not limited to, net operating losses, which occurred in a year in which the taxpayer was not subject to taxation in this state, may be deducted in any tax year. When federal adjusted gross income includes deductions or losses not allowed pursuant to this paragraph, an adjustment deleting them shall be made under rules established by the commissioner.

   (5) Income, losses, and deductions previously used in computing Georgia taxable income shall not again be used in computing Georgia taxable income; and the commissioner shall provide for needed adjustments by regulation.

   (6) Reserved.

   (7) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (4) of subsection (a) of this Code section, this chapter shall not be construed to repeal any tax exemptions contained in other laws of this state not referred to in this Code section. Those exemptions and the exemptions provided by federal law and treaty shall be deducted on forms provided by the commissioner.

   (8) All elections made by the taxpayer under the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 or the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 shall also apply under this article.

   (9) If the taxpayer claims the tax credit provided for in subsection (d) of Code Section 48-7-40.6 with respect to qualified child care property, Georgia taxable income shall be increased by any depreciation deductions attributable to such property to the extent such deductions are used in determining federal taxable income.

   (10) (A) Except as otherwise provided in subparagraph (C) of this paragraph, the amount of any qualified withdrawals from a savings trust account under Article 11 of Chapter 3 of Title 20 shall not be subject to state income tax under this chapter.

      (B) For withdrawals other than qualified withdrawals from such a savings trust account, the proportion of earnings in the account balance at the time of the withdrawal shall be applied to the total funds withdrawn to determine the earnings portion to be included in the account owner's taxable net income in the year of withdrawal.

      (C) For withdrawals other than qualified withdrawals from such a savings trust account and for withdrawals from such a savings trust account which are rolled over to a qualified tuition program other than the qualified tuition program established under Article 11 of Chapter 3 of Title 20, the proportion of the contributions in an account balance at the time of a withdrawal which previously have been used to reduce taxable net income pursuant to subsection (a) of this Code section shall be applied to the nonearnings portion of the total funds withdrawn to determine an amount to be included in the account owner's taxable net income in the same taxable year.

   (11) Georgia taxable income shall be adjusted as provided in Code Section 48-7-28.3.

   (12) Georgia taxable income shall be increased by the amount of the payments, compensation, or other economic benefit disallowed by Code Section 48-7-21.1.

   (13) Georgia taxable income shall be adjusted as provided in Code Section 48-7-28.4.

(c) Georgia taxable income shall, if the taxpayer so elects, be adjusted with respect to federal depreciation deductions as provided in Code Section 48-7-39.

(d) (1) (A) As used in this paragraph, the term "individual" shall mean the same as is defined in Code Section 48-1-2.

      (B) Georgia resident shareholders of Subchapter "S" corporations may make an adjustment to federal adjusted gross income for Subchapter "S" corporation income where another state does not recognize a Subchapter "S" corporation.

      (C) A Georgia individual resident who is a partner in a partnership, who is a member of a limited liability company taxed as a partnership, or who is a single member of a limited liability company which is disregarded for federal income tax purposes may make an adjustment to federal adjusted gross income for the entity's income taxed in another state which imposes on the entity a tax on or measured by income.

      (D) Adjustments pursuant to this paragraph shall only be allowed for the portion of the income on which such tax was actually paid by such Subchapter "S" corporation, partnership, or limited liability company. In multitiered situations, the adjustment for such individual shall be determined by allocating such income between the shareholders, partners, or members at each tier based upon their profit/loss percentage.

   (2) Nonresident shareholders of a Georgia Subchapter "S" corporation shall execute a consent agreement to pay Georgia income tax on their portion of the corporate income in order for such Subchapter "S" corporation to be recognized for Georgia purposes. A consent agreement for each shareholder shall be filed by the corporation with its corporate tax return in the year in which the Subchapter "S" corporation is first required to file a Georgia income tax return. For a Subchapter "S" corporation in existence prior to January 1, 2008, the consent agreement shall be filed for each shareholder in the first Georgia tax return filed for a year beginning on or after January 1, 2008. A consent agreement shall also be filed in any subsequent year for any additional nonresident who first becomes a shareholder of the Subchapter "S" corporation in that year. Shareholders of a federal Subchapter "S" corporation which is not recognized for Georgia purposes may make an adjustment to federal adjusted gross income in order to avoid double taxation on this type of income. Adjustments shall not be allowed unless tax was actually paid by such corporation.

Code 1933, § 92-3107, enacted by Ga. L. 1971, p. 605, § 4; Ga. L. 1975, p. 843, § 1; Ga. L. 1978, p. 1456, § 1; Ga. L. 1979, p. 888, § 2; Code 1933, § 91A-3607, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 309, § 2; Ga. L. 1979, p. 5, § 67; Ga. L. 1979, p. 888, § 4; Ga. L. 1980, p. 10, §§ 17, 18; Ga. L. 1981, p. 1857, §§ 35, 36; Ga. L. 1981, p. 1903, §§ 3, 4; Ga. L. 1982, p. 3, § 48; Ga. L. 1984, p. 1644, § 2; Ga. L. 1986, p. 749, § 1; Ga. L. 1986, p. 1480, § 1; Ga. L. 1987, p. 191, § 2; Ga. L. 1988, p. 475, § 2; Ga. L. 1989, p. 1112, §§ 1-3; Ga. L. 1989, Ex. Sess., p. 5, § 1; Ga. L. 1990, p. 1369, § 1; Ga. L. 1992, p. 1296, § 1; Ga. L. 1992, p. 2977, § 1; Ga. L. 1994, p. 381, § 2; Ga. L. 1998, p. 1, § 2; Ga. L. 1998, p. 1515, § 1; Ga. L. 1998, p. 1516, § 1; Ga. L. 1999, p. 13, § 2; Ga. L. 2000, p. 408, § 1; Ga. L. 2001, p. 76, §§ 2, 3; Ga. L. 2002, p. 372, §§ 2, 3; Ga. L. 2002, p. 1149, § 1; Ga. L. 2003, p. 637, § 1; Ga. L. 2003, p. 665, §§ 4, 5; Ga. L. 2004, p. 102, § 1; Ga. L. 2005, p. 18, § 1/HB 263; Ga. L. 2005, p. 30, § 1/HB 191; Ga. L. 2005, p. 60, § 48/HB 95; Ga. L. 2005, p. 157, § 2/HB 282; Ga. L. 2005, p. 159, §§ 13, 14/HB 488; Ga. L. 2005, p. 529, § 1/HB 556; Ga. L. 2006, p. 526, § 1/HB 1160; Ga. L. 2007, p. 112, § 2/HB 225; Ga. L. 2007, p. 271, §§ 3, 4/SB 184; Ga. L. 2008, p. 159, §§ 7, 8/HB 1014; Ga. L. 2008, p. 292, § 4/HB 977; Ga. L. 2008, p. 324, § 48/SB 455; Ga. L. 2008, p. 898, §§ 6, 7/HB 1151; Ga. L. 2009, p. 8, § 48/SB 46; Ga. L. 2009, p. 652, § 4/HB 410; Ga. L. 2009, p. 796, § 2/HB 379; Ga. L. 2010, p. 9, § 4-1/HB 1055; Ga. L. 2012, p. 108, § 1/HB 808; Ga. L. 2012, p. 257, § 2-2/HB 386; Ga. L. 2013, p. 141, § 48/HB 79.