Add Georgia to the List of Tax-Shifting States

Just last week we wrote about the trend of tax shifts sweeping the nation. Policy makers in Ohio, Maine, Idaho, Michigan, South Carolina, and New Jersey are seriously considering regressive tax proposals that would shift taxes away from higher-income taxpayers who have more ability to pay to those with less. Now we can add Georgia to that notorious list. Earlier this week, lawmakers introduced House Bill 445. The measure would lower the state’s top income tax rate from 6 to 4 percent and raise the sales tax from 4 to 5 percent. An ITEP analysis of this, likely regressive tax shift, will be forthcoming. In the meantime read these thoughtful pieces – here and here (which cite ITEP data) about Georgia’s already inequitable tax system.