If you seek information regarding Georgia state and local taxes, there are many resources to assist in your quest for knowledge. Depending upon whether you seek assistance with individual or business tax issues, local representatives are standing by and you can find a wealth of information about Georgia state and local taxes online.

Even if you have enlisted the services of one of the independent tax professionals in Georgia, you can still use available sources to gain insight and understanding of topics and the myriad of forms included in the taxpaying process.

If you are an individual filing income taxes, you have various free options and several manuals and training materials to guide the process. It helps to know exactly which forms you need for your individual purpose and plan in advance. Small to mid-size business-owners also have options to file online; larger corporations should consult professionals to ensure proper handling and filing of such delicate and important information.

To begin your quest for knowledge on all topics tax-related:

1. Consult the comprehensive tax guide for the tax specific tax year
2. Scour online Georgia state tax resources for free e-file options and get the necessary paperwork in order
3. Contact your local Department of Revenue for answers to frequently asked questions about Georgia state taxes

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Know where to find Georgia state tax resources

From local walk-in facilities to online resources and contacts via phone, you can find the information you need to begin the tax preparation process.

I recommend: Get Georgia state tax information straight from the horse's mouth. The IRS' Local Contacts page provides a list of local Georgia contacts by city, including information on the local Tax Advocate, who can help with tax-related issues and disputes.

Download or call to request all of the proper forms

Self-preparation of income taxes can be a difficult task, but it may be worth the extra time and effort to save some cash. You can file your taxes for free, but you must be sure to have all of the required forms specific to your tax situation or suffer the consequences.

I recommend: At the Georgia Department of Revenue, you can review and download tax forms before attempting to file alone. Then, when you’re ready, TaxACT and File Your Taxes offer free services to file federal taxes for those 25 and under, 55 and older as well as citizens who make less than $54,000 per year.

Study the comprehensive tax guide and avoid any misunderstanding

Each year, you will need to locate the state tax guide to learn about new changes and forms and research any amendments or refunds for which your may have become newly entitled.

I recommend: The 2007 Tax Guide for Georgia Citizens is one of the Georgia local tax resources and serves as your direct link to everything you need to know about Georgia state tax, from the rate of taxation to corporate-related tax issues such as income tax credits and net worth taxes.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Tax professionals filing on behalf of Georgia citizens can find additional information at the local Department of Treasury. Even as professionals, you may find that the laws and forms that sometimes change from year to year may cause a little confusion. There are government representatives standing by to answer all of your questions and there are local offices for those of you who like to be more hands-on.
• •  Keep track of the status of your refund after filing. Once you've completed the tax preparation process, consult your paperwork for expected dates of arrival. If you opt for direct deposit, keep close watch on your bank account and use online and phone resources to find out about your refund.