Georgia Constitution Art. VII Taxation and Finance
Georgia Constitution – Article VII: Taxation and Finance
Overview:
Article VII of the Georgia Constitution governs the state’s taxation policies, revenue collection, budgeting, and financial management. It establishes rules for how taxes are imposed, collected, and used to fund government operations.
Key Sections and Summaries:
Section I – Taxation Authority
The legislature has the power to impose taxes for public purposes.
Taxation must be uniform within the same class of subjects.
Taxes may be levied on property, income, sales, and other sources as authorized by law.
Section II – Property Tax
Property must be taxed uniformly and according to fair market value.
Exemptions may be granted for certain classes of property (e.g., property used for public purposes or owned by charitable organizations).
Section III – Income Tax
The state may impose an income tax, but laws governing it must ensure fairness and uniformity.
Section IV – Sales and Use Taxes
The General Assembly may impose sales and use taxes on goods and services.
Revenue collected must be used in accordance with state law.
Section V – Budget and Appropriations
The state budget must be balanced; expenditures cannot exceed revenues.
The legislature must appropriate funds by law for state agencies and programs.
Section VI – Debt and Borrowing
The state may incur debt only under conditions set by the Constitution and laws.
Debt limits and repayment terms are specified to protect the state's creditworthiness.
Section VII – State Funds and Accounts
All state funds must be deposited in the state treasury.
Strict rules govern how funds are disbursed and accounted for.
Section VIII – Auditing and Accountability
The state must provide for regular auditing of accounts.
The legislature or designated officers must ensure proper use of public funds.
✅ Key Takeaways:
Georgia’s constitution establishes a framework for fair and uniform taxation.
It requires a balanced state budget and limits on borrowing.
Strict accountability and auditing mechanisms safeguard public funds.
The legislature holds significant power over taxation and finance policies but must follow constitutional limits.
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