Bill > HB519

This bill allows taxpayers in Georgia to claim a state income tax credit equal to 100 percent of the federal Work Opportunity Tax Credit they received, provided the credit is for wages paid to a Georgia resident who is part of a "targeted group" (specific categories of individuals such as certain veterans, ex-felons, or recipients of public assistance) and has a certificate from the U.S. Department of Labor. This state credit is capped at $500 per eligible employee annually, and the total state credits claimed by all taxpayers cannot exceed $10 million per year. Taxpayers must provide necessary information and maintain records to prove eligibility, and the state can "recapture" (take back) the credit if the federal credit is later reduced or revoked. This provision is set to expire on December 31, 2030, and will take effect for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2026.