Georgia Lawmakers Advance Bipartisan Bill to Remove Sales Tax on Diapers, Formula and Menstrual Products

A bipartisan measure moving through the Georgia General Assembly would eliminate the state’s 4% sales tax on diapers, baby formula, and menstrual products, classifying them as essential goods rather than taxable items. Supporters say the change would ease financial pressure on families, noting that while groceries and prescription drugs are already exempt in Georgia, diaper and feminine hygiene products are not.

Advocates point to long-term costs, with estimates showing the average woman spends about $18,000 on period products over her lifetime — plus roughly $1,000 in taxes. Government assistance programs like SNAP and WIC do not cover diapers, and the Georgia Diaper Bank Coalition estimates ending the diaper tax could save families about $80 per child. Diaper banks statewide distribute more than 1.4 million diapers each year to families in need.

The effort is being led this session by Republican State Sen. Randy Robertson, who says the issue is about prioritizing families despite the potential loss of millions in state revenue. The bill must pass committee before heading to the Senate floor ahead of Crossover Day, and supporters say it has bipartisan backing. If approved, Georgia would join a growing number of states that have eliminated sales taxes on menstrual and baby care products.

Georgia’s January Net Tax Revenues Down 0.6%

Georgia’s net tax collections slipped slightly in January, with the state reporting $3.03 billion in net tax revenue for the month — down $18.1 million, or 0.6%, compared to January of last year. State officials framed the dip as a modest month-to-month decline, not a major shift in overall revenue performance.

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Georgia Net Tax Revenues Rise 3% in December, State Reports $3.44 Billion Collected

The State of Georgia says net tax collections in December totaled $3.44 billion. That’s up by about $101 million, or 3 percent, compared to December of last year.

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Chattooga County Businesses Reminded to Update Systems for New 8% Sales Tax Rate

The Chattooga County Chamber of Commerce is sharing a reminder from the Chattooga County Commissioner’s Office that a new local sales tax rate is now in effect.

Officials say the Chattooga County sales tax rate increased to 8% beginning January 1, 2026, and businesses are being urged to make sure their registers, point-of-sale systems, invoicing software, and online checkout platforms have been updated to reflect the correct rate.

The reminder encourages all local businesses to verify compliance to avoid pricing errors and accounting issues.

For reference, the Georgia Department of Revenue maintains an online listing of sales tax rates by location.

Georgia Senate Panel to Finalize Income Tax Elimination Report Jan. 7

A Georgia state Senate committee tasked with charting a path to eliminate the state income tax is set to meet Wednesday, Jan. 7, to adopt its final report — a move that could tee up major tax legislation when lawmakers return to Atlanta for the 2026 legislative session later this month.

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Georgia Tax Collections Edge Up in November, But Storm-Related Fuel Tax Changes Cloud the Comparison

Georgia’s net tax collections in November totaled nearly $2.4 billion, an increase of $22.4 million (0.9%) compared to the same month in FY 2025, when the state collected about $2.38 billion. For the fiscal year to date, Georgia’s net tax revenues reached nearly $13.28 billion, up $262.7 million (2.0%) from roughly $13.02 billion collected through November 2024.

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