Governor Nathan Deal signed House Bill 749 during a bill signing ceremony on Monday, May 7, 2018. State Representative Shaw Blackmon (R-Bonaire) sponsored HB 749 during the 2018 legislative session, and HB 749 specifies how military retirement income is excluded from Georgia income tax.

“I’d like to sincerely thank Gov. Deal for signing HB 749, which will greatly benefit Georgia’s retired military personnel and their families,” said Rep. Blackmon. “The Georgia General Assembly has greatly prioritized military-friendly measures over the past several years, and I was proud to sponsor legislation this past session that will certainly continue to make Georgia a better state for our service men and women, veterans and military families. Previously, Georgia was one of only nine states in the country to not address military retirement pay tax exemptions, but with Gov. Deal’s approval of HB 749, our state is now in line with other states that have implemented similar pro-military legislation. I’d like to thank Speaker Ralston and House leadership for the emphasis they have put on improving our state’s military, as well as the House Military Affairs Working Group and so many others in the House for their support. I would also like to express my appreciation to Sen. Albers for carrying HB 749 in the Senate, and to all veterans for their service and great sacrifice for our country.”

HB 749 states how military retirement income is excluded from state income tax. Additionally, HB 749 states that any military retirement income received by deceased veteran’s surviving family member is excluded from state income tax, regardless of the surviving family member’s age.