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Georgia payroll taxes (2026)

Quick answer: A new Georgia employer pays 2.7% state unemployment tax on the first $9,500 of each employee’s wages (up to $256.50 per employee), on top of 7.65% federal FICA and 0.6% FUTA. A $60,000 employee costs about $64,888 before benefits.

A new Georgia employer pays 2.7% state unemployment tax on the first $9,500 of each employee’s wages (up to $256.50 per employee), on top of 7.65% federal FICA and 0.6% FUTA. A $60,000 employee costs about $64,888 before benefits.

Add benefits, your SUTA rate and other costs

Where do these numbers come from?

Checked Oct 23, 2026. A $75,000 salary in California: Social Security 6.2% = $4,650 (SSA 2026 wage base $184,500), Medicare 1.45% = $1,087.50, FUTA 0.6% × $7,000 = $42 (IRS Publication 15), California UI 3.4% + 0.1% ETT on the first $7,000 = $245 (EY 2026 chart). Total $81,024.50, the figure this calculator shows. Automated tests repeat this and 20 more US checks.

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Georgia employer payroll taxes at a glance

Tax2026 rateWage baseMax per employee
Georgia unemployment (new employer)2.7%$9,500$256.50
Social Security (employer)6.2%$184,500$11,439.00
Medicare (employer)1.45%No limitNo limit
FUTA (after full state credit)0.6%$7,000$42.00

Rate detail: 2.64% + 0.06% administrative assessment.

Rate year shown: 2026. After the first years, Georgia assigns an experience rate based on your claims history; use the rate on your notice. Source: EY Tax News, SUI wage bases and tax rates for 2026 (updated 29 Jul 2026).

Employer cost by salary in Georgia

SalarySocial SecurityMedicareFUTASUTATotal cost before benefits
$40,000$2,480.00$580.00$42.00$256.50$43,358
$60,000$3,720.00$870.00$42.00$256.50$64,888
$75,000$4,650.00$1,087.50$42.00$256.50$81,036
$100,000$6,200.00$1,450.00$42.00$256.50$107,948

Withholding from employee paychecks

Employers withhold federal income tax, 6.2% Social Security and 1.45% Medicare from every paycheck. State income tax is also withheld; use the state’s withholding tables. Georgia employers withhold state income tax in addition to federal taxes.

Getting set up

Register with the Georgia unemployment insurance agency when you first pay wages in the state, get a federal EIN, file Form 941 quarterly and Form 940 annually, and send new-hire reports to the state. Employees are generally covered by the state where they physically work.

Sources: SSA 2026 fact sheet (Social Security wage base $184,500); IRS Publication 15 (2026); US DOL, FUTA credit reductions. State unemployment rates are new-employer rates for 2026; your assigned rate may differ.

Related

Frequently asked questions

What payroll taxes do employers pay in Georgia?

Federal Social Security (6.2%), Medicare (1.45%) and FUTA (0.6% on $7,000), plus Georgia unemployment tax (2.7% on the first $9,500 for new employers in 2026).

What is the Georgia SUTA wage base?

$9,500 per employee for 2026.

Does Georgia have state income tax withholding?

Yes.

How much does a $75,000 employee cost in Georgia?

About $81,036 a year before benefits, health insurance and workers’ compensation.