Sen. Ben Watson

Columnist

The Georgia Senate passed the largest income tax cut in our history.

This proposal was unanimously backed by the Senate Republican Caucus to maximize relief for hardworking Georgians.

The Senate has been leading an effort to reduce the state tax burden and provide real tax relief and position Georgia to fully eliminate the state income tax over the coming years. The Senate is set to put money back in the pockets of Georgia’s families and the state economy with the passage of two pieces of legislation this week. The first Senate bill was S.B.476, also known as the Income Tax Reduction Act of 2026, cuts Georgia’s income tax by effectively eliminating the first $50,000 of income for single filers and $100,000 for joint filers. It plans to offset revenue loss by sunsetting corporate tax credits by 2032. The second bill, S.B. 477, phases down the personal income tax to 3.99% by 2028. If Georgia wishes to remain the number one state for business and to keep Georgia competitive, we must expand on the progress made over the past four years to eliminate Georgia’s income tax. The Senate is leading the effort to continue in making significant cuts to our income taxes while maintaining the fiscal soundness of our state.

Having passed the Senate, I look forward to future conversations with the House and Governor on how to maximize tax relief and get an income tax cut over the finish line in this legislative session.

The bills passed by the Senate are the largest tax relief legislation in Georgia history, eliminating the income tax for nearly two-thirds of Georgians. This plan does not increase sales taxes or property taxes or cut any essential governmental services.

A piece of legislation I pushed in the Senate received final passage this week and will now be sent to the House of Representatives for their ratification. The Georgia Senate’s passage of House Bill 54 will protect Georgia’s children from life-altering gender surgeries and experimental puberty blockers. This is a common-sense obligation to protect Georgia’s minors from undergoing irreversible procedures before they are adults. The General Assembly listened to parents, doctors, and concerned citizens, who wanted to keep radical medical procedures out of children’s hospitals.

I will keep you updated on legislation affecting our community as we progress through the session. Thank you for your continued interest in the work of our General Assembly. As your public servant, feel free to visit me at the Capitol or to reach out to me by phone or email. I am in 325A, Coverdell Legislative Office Building. My office phone number is (404) 656-7880, and my email is ben.watson@senate. ga.gov. I look forward to continuing to serve you.