Dozens of new laws are taking effect in Georgia. These laws encompass a broad range of areas, including taxation, education, crime, and other related matters. Parents will see new tax benefits for child care expenses.
A new $250 income tax credit for parents of children under age 6 takes effect next year. An existing credit for child and dependent care expenses will increase from 30% to 50% of the federal credit, potentially offering up to $1,500 in tax benefits for eligible taxpayers. Businesses will also receive tax credits for paying for employees’ child care.
Georgia is also providing tax relief for veterans. The state will exempt up to $65,000 in military retirement benefits and other income for veterans under the age of 65, starting in 2027. This is an increase from the previous $35,000 exemption for veterans under 62.
Residents in disaster-prone areas will be able to create “catastrophic savings accounts.” Contributions to these accounts, which can be used to cover damage from declared disasters, will be tax-deductible. Taxpayers can contribute between $2,000 and $250,000, depending on their level of insurance coverage. In education, elementary and middle schools must now keep students’ personal cellphones stowed away during school hours.
Other personal electronic devices are also banned.
Georgia’s new tax benefits
Funding for education is being raised from $300 million to $375 million to improve quality.
On the crime front, sentences for small amounts of fentanyl trafficking are becoming harsher to combat the opioid crisis. People wrongly convicted of crimes can now seek compensation, and domestic violence or trafficking survivors who committed crimes under duress can ask for lighter sentences. Several new laws aim to protect families and health.
Fentanyl test strips are being legalized to help prevent overdoses. Adult adoptees can now request their original birth certificates without a court order. Access to experimental treatments for seriously ill patients is being expanded.
Military veterans
Military veterans will now have expanded eligibility for burial in Georgia’s veterans’ cemeteries. They will also be exempt from paying income tax on retirement income. Some of the more lighthearted new laws include allowing fluorescent pink hunting gear as an alternative to orange for safety, designating Brunswick stew as the official state stew, and creating an “America First” specialty license plate.
These are just some of the key changes taking effect in Georgia today as a result of the recent legislative session. The new laws aim to provide financial relief, improve education and public safety, protect health and consumers, and more. Most will have a direct impact on Georgia residents.
