About Georgia Payroll Guide

Why This Site Exists

Georgia is an employer-friendly Sun Belt state with simpler payroll rules than many states. There's no SDI, no PFL, a flat income tax rate dropping toward 4.99%, and minimal state wage law beyond FLSA. But "simpler" doesn't mean "nothing to do."

Employers still need to register with the Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL), file quarterly SUI returns, withhold state income tax correctly, and understand that federal FLSA is the primary enforcement mechanism for most wage and hour issues in Georgia.

Most payroll resources online are written for a national audience. They cover federal requirements well but gloss over the Georgia-specific rules that actually matter to employers operating in this state. We built Georgia Payroll Guide to fill that gap — every guide on this site is written specifically for Georgia employers, with the state-specific rates, deadlines, and requirements that apply to businesses operating in the Peach State.

What We Cover

Our guides cover the full spectrum of Georgia payroll compliance:

• Georgia payroll taxes (SUI, income tax withholding)
• GDOL registration and quarterly filing
• SUI rates and experience rating
• State income tax withholding (flat rate, G-4 form)
• Minimum wage (state vs. federal)
• Payday and final pay rules
• Federal payroll tax basics (FICA, FUTA, withholding)
• Payroll software comparisons

Our Approach

We aim to be practical and direct. No fluff, no jargon walls, no 3,000-word articles that could be summarized in three bullet points. Georgia employers are busy — we respect your time.

Every article includes real numbers (actual tax rates, actual deadlines, actual penalties), and we note where Georgia differs from federal law and where FLSA governs as the primary enforcement mechanism.

Affiliate Disclosure

Georgia Payroll Guide is an independent publication. We recommend payroll software products like Gusto and Paychex and may earn a referral fee when you sign up through our links. This doesn't affect our editorial coverage or the accuracy of our guides. We recommend these products because we believe they're genuinely useful for Georgia small businesses.

A Note on Accuracy

We update our guides when laws change. Georgia employment law is simpler than many states but still evolves — tax rate adjustments, regulatory changes, and new requirements. We do our best to keep content current, and each article includes a "last updated" date.

That said, this site provides general information only. It is not legal or tax advice. If you have a specific situation, please consult a qualified Georgia attorney or CPA.