GA · Payroll tax 2026
The true cost of hiring in Georgia
Estimate what a W-2 employee costs in Georgia and compare it with a 1099 contract using sourced 2026 payroll-tax defaults that you can adjust to your assigned rate.
Estimate a Georgia hire
Pre-filled with a 2.64% base new-employer rate. Adjust SUI, salary, benefits, and the 1099 rate to fit your hire.
Results update instantly. Your values stay in this browser.
A W-2 hire in Georgia costs more than salary. Employers pay federal FICA and FUTA plus state unemployment insurance. For 2026, HiringMath uses a 2.64% base new-employer rate on the first $9,500 of wages, producing up to about $251 of state UI tax per worker before experience-rating or account-specific adjustments. Georgia taxes wage income, which creates a withholding obligation but is not an employer-paid tax. The calculator below combines those statutory items with editable benefits, workers' compensation, and overhead, then compares the result with a 1099 contract.
Georgia employer tax facts
| Item | GA |
|---|---|
| Base new-employer SUI rate | 2.64% |
| SUI taxable wage base | $9,500 |
| Federal FICA (employer) | 7.65% |
| FUTA | 0.6% |
| State income tax on wages | Yes |
| Worker classification test | ABC test |
Example: a $75,000 hire in Georgia
At a $75,000 base salary with typical benefits, a W-2 employee in Georgia costs an employer $99,330 per year — $24,330 above base pay. An equivalent 1099 contract at $75,000 would cost $24,330 less; the breakeven contract rate is $99,330.
Misclassification risk in Georgia
Test: ABC test
ABC test for UI; back taxes and penalties apply.
Penalties by stateCompare nearby rates
Georgia's 2.64% new-employer SUI rate sits near Maryland (2.6%), Alabama (2.7%), District of Columbia (2.7%), Florida (2.7%). See the full 51-state comparison or the 2026 employer payroll tax reference.
Common questions
Georgia hiring-cost FAQ
What SUI rate does HiringMath use for Georgia?
The calculator starts with a 2.64% base new-employer rate, applied to the first $9,500 of each employee's 2026 wages. Your assigned rate can differ because of industry, surcharges, and claims history, so replace the default with the rate on your state notice when available.
Does Georgia have a state income tax?
Yes. Georgia taxes wage income. Employers withhold it from employee pay, but it does not directly increase the employer's payroll-tax cost.
What should employers know about worker classification in Georgia?
ABC test for UI; back taxes and penalties apply. This is a planning summary, not legal advice; confirm classification decisions with the relevant agency or counsel.