GA Code § 48-1-2 (2021)
2021 Georgia Code|Title 48 - Revenue and Taxation|Chapter 1 - General Provisions|§ 48-1-2. Definitions

 As used in this title, the term:    "Agency" means any department, commission, institution, office, or officer of this state.   "Aircraft" means any contrivance used or designed for navigation or flight through the air.   "Airline company" means any person who undertakes, directly or indirectly, to engage in the scheduled transportation by aircraft of persons or property for hire in intrastate, interstate, or international transportation.   "Commissioner" means the state revenue commissioner.   "Contraband article" means:   Any unauthorized, false, forged, altered, or counterfeit revenue stamp or marking, prima facie evidencing the payment of any tax imposed by the revenue laws of this state;   Any article, plate, die, stamp, machine, apparatus, paraphernalia, or other device or material designed for use, intended to be used, or used in the making of any unauthorized, false, forged, altered, or counterfeit revenue stamp or marking described in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph; or   Any article or property to which any unauthorized, false, forged, altered, or counterfeit revenue stamp or marking prima facie evidencing the payment of any tax imposed by the revenue laws of this state is attached or affixed.     "Department" means the Department of Revenue.   "Deputy commissioner" means the deputy revenue commissioner.   "Domestic," when applied to any corporation or association (including, but not limited to, a partnership), means created, organized, or domiciled in this state.   "Fiduciary" means a guardian, trustee, executor, administrator, receiver, conservator, or any person, whether individual or corporate, acting in any fiduciary capacity for any person.   Reserved.   "Foreign," when applied to any corporation or association (including, but not limited to, a partnership), means created or organized outside this state.   "Individual" means a natural person.   "Intangible personal property" means the capital stock of all corporations; money, notes, bonds, accounts, or other credits, secured or unsecured; patent rights, copyrights, franchises, and any other classes and kinds of property defined by law as intangible personal property.   "Internal Revenue Code" or "Internal Revenue Code of 1986" means for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2020, the provisions of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, provided for in federal law enacted on or before January 1, 2021, except that Section 108(i), Section 163(e)(5)(F), Section 168(b)(3)(I), Section 168(e)(3)(B)(vii), Section 168(e)(3)(E)(ix), Section 168(e)(8), Section 168(k), Section 168(m), Section 168(n), Section 179(d)(1)(B)(ii), Section 179(f), Section 199, Section 381(c)(20), Section 382(d)(3), Section 810(b)(4), Section 1400L, Section 1400N(d)(1), Section 1400N(f), Section 1400N(j), Section 1400N(k), and Section 1400N(o) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, shall be treated as if they were not in effect, and except that Section 168(e)(7), Section 172(b)(1)(F), and Section 172(i)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, shall be treated as they were in effect before the 2008 enactment of federal Public Law 110-343, and except that Section 163(i)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, shall be treated as it was in effect before the 2009 enactment of federal Public Law 111-5, and except that Section 13(e)(4) of 2009 federal Public Law 111-92 shall be treated as if it was not in effect, and except that Section 118, Section 163(j), and Section 382(k)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, shall be treated as they were in effect before the 2017 enactment of federal Public Law 115-97, and except that all provisions in federal Public Law 116-136 (CARES Act) that change or affect in any manner Section 172 and Section 461(l) shall be treated as if they were not in effect, and except that the limitations provided in Section 179(b)(1) shall be $250,000.00 for tax years beginning in 2010, shall be $250,000.00 for tax years beginning in 2011, shall be $250,000.00 for tax years beginning in 2012, shall be $250,000.00 for tax years beginning in 2013, and shall be $500,000.00 for tax years beginning in 2014, and except that the limitations provided in Section 179(b)(2) shall be $800,000.00 for tax years beginning in 2010, shall be $800,000.00 for tax years beginning in 2011, shall be $800,000.00 for tax years beginning in 2012, shall be $800,000.00 for tax years beginning in 2013, and shall be $2 million for tax years beginning in 2014, and provided that Section 1106 of federal Public Law 112-95 as amended by federal Public Law 113-243 shall be treated as if it is in effect, except the phrase "Code Section 48-2-35 (or, if later, November 15, 2015)" shall be substituted for the phrase "section 6511(a) of such Code (or, if later, April 15, 2015)," and notwithstanding any other provision in this title, no interest shall be refunded with respect to any claim for refund filed pursuant to Section 1106 of federal Public Law 112-95, and provided that subsection (b) of Section 3 of federal Public Law 114-292 shall be treated as if it is in effect, except the phrase "Code Section 48-2-35" shall be substituted for the phrase "section 6511(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986" and the phrase "such section" shall be substituted for the phrase "such subsection." In the event a reference is made in this title to the Internal Revenue Code or the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 as it existed on a specific date prior to January 1, 2021, the term means the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code or the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 as it existed on the prior date. Unless otherwise provided in this title, any term used in this title shall have the same meaning as when used in a comparable provision or context in the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. For taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2020, provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, which were as of January 1, 2021, enacted into law but not yet effective shall become effective for purposes of Georgia taxation on the same dates upon which they become effective for federal tax purposes.  (14.1) "Internal Revenue Code" or "Internal Revenue Code of 1986" means for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2005, but before January 1, 2007, the provisions of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, provided for in federal law enacted on or before January 1, 2006, except that Section 168(k) (but not excepting Section 168(k)(2)(A)(i), Section 168(k)(2)(D)(i), and Section 168(k)(2)(E)), Section 199, Section 1400L, Section 1400N(d)(1), Section 1400N(j), and Section 1400N(k) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, shall be treated as if they were not in effect, and except that the following provisions shall be as amended by the federal Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006 (Pub. L. No. 109-432) as such federal act existed on December 20, 2006, and effective for purposes of Georgia taxation on the same dates upon which they became effective for federal tax purposes pursuant to said federal act: Sections 38, 41, 45A, 45N, 51, 51A, 61, 62, 106, 121, 143, 164, 168 (except 168(k) but not excepting 168(k)(2)(A)(i), 168 (k)(2)(D)(i), and 168(k)(2)(E)), 170, 179E, 198, 220, 222, 223, 263, 280C, 312, 355, 613A, 954, 1043, 1221, 1245, 1355, 1397E, 1400A, 1400B, 7623, and 7872. For such taxable years, provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, which were as of January 1, 2006, enacted into law but not yet effective shall be effective for purposes of Georgia taxation on the same dates upon which they become effective for federal tax purposes. The provisions of this paragraph shall supersede and control over any provision of paragraph (14) of this Code section to the contrary.   (14.2) "Internal Revenue Code" or "Internal Revenue Code of 1986" means for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2006, but before January 1, 2008, the provisions of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, provided for in federal law enacted on or before January 1, 2008, except that Section 168(k) (but not excepting Section 168(k)(2)(A)(i), Section 168(k)(2)(D)(i), and Section 168(k)(2)(E)), Section 199, Section 1400L, Section 1400N(d)(1), Section 1400N(j), and Section 1400N(k) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, shall be treated as if they were not in effect. For such taxable years, provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, which were as of January 1, 2008, enacted into law but not yet effective shall be effective for purposes of Georgia taxation on the same dates upon which they become effective for federal tax purposes. The provisions of this paragraph shall supersede and control over any provision of paragraph (14) of this Code section to the contrary.   (14.3) "Internal Revenue Code" or "Internal Revenue Code of 1986" means for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2007, but before January 1, 2009, the provisions of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, provided for in federal law enacted on or before January 1, 2009, except that Section 168(b)(3)(I), Section 168(e)(3)(B)(vii), Section 168(e)(3)(E)(ix), Section 168(e)(8), Section 168(k) (but not excepting Section 168(k)(2)(A)(i), Section 168(k)(2)(D)(i), and Section 168(k)(2)(E)), Section 168(m), Section 168(n), Section 172(b)(1)(F), Section 172(b)(1)(J), Section 172(j), Section 199, Section 1400L, Section 1400N(d)(1), Section 1400N(f), Section 1400N(j), Section 1400N(k), and Section 1400N(o) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, shall be treated as if they were not in effect, and except that Section 168(e)(7), Section 172(i)(1), and Section 1221 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, shall be treated as they were in effect before the 2008 enactment of federal Public Law 110-343. For such taxable years, provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, which were as of January 1, 2009, enacted into law but not yet effective shall be effective for purposes of Georgia taxation on the same dates upon which they become effective for federal tax purposes. The provisions of this paragraph shall supersede and control over any provision of paragraph (14) of this Code section to the contrary.    "Internal Revenue Service" or "IRS" means the Internal Revenue Service of the United States Department of the Treasury.   "Member of the armed forces" means commissioned officers and personnel below the grade of commissioned officers in all regular and reserve components of the uniformed services subject to the jurisdiction of the United States Department of Defense. The term also includes the Coast Guard, but it does not include civilian employees of the armed forces.   "Municipality" means an incorporated municipality in this state.   "Person" means any individual, firm, partnership, cooperative, nonprofit membership corporation, joint venture, association, company, corporation, agency, syndicate, estate, trust, business trust, receiver, fiduciary, or other group or combination acting as a unit, body politic, or political subdivision, whether public, private, or quasi-public.   "Personal property" means all tangible personal property and all intangible personal property, as the terms are defined in this Code section.   "Personal representative" means the duly qualified and acting personal representative of the estate of a decedent or, if there is no duly qualified and acting representative, the person in possession of any property of the decedent.   "Public utility" means all railroad companies, street and suburban railroads, or sleeping car companies; persons or companies operating railroads, street railroads, suburban railroads, or sleeping cars in this state; all express companies including railroad companies doing express, telephone, or telegraph business (except small telephone companies or persons operating a telephone business, the value of whose capital stock or property is less than $5,000.00); all gas, electric light, electric power, hydroelectric power, steam heat, refrigerated air, dockage or cranage, canal, toll road, toll bridge, railroad equipment, and navigation companies; and any person or persons operating a gas, electric light, electric power, hydroelectric power, steam heat, refrigerated air, dockage or cranage, canal, toll road, toll bridge, railroad equipment, or navigation business, through their president, general manager, owner, or agent having control of the company's offices in this state.   "Tangible personal property" means personal property which may be seen, weighed, measured, felt, or touched or which is in any other manner perceptible to the senses. The term "tangible personal property" shall not include intangible personal property. This paragraph shall not apply to Chapter 8 of this title relating to sales and use taxation.   "Tax collector" means a county tax collector.   "Tax commissioner" means a county tax commissioner.   "Taxpayer" means any person required by law to file a return or to pay taxes.   "Tax receiver" means a county tax receiver.    (Code 1933, § 91A-102, enacted by Ga. L. 1978, p. 309, § 2; Ga. L. 1979, p. 5, § 2; Ga. L. 1981, p. 1857, § 2; Ga. L. 1981, p. 1903, § 1; Ga. L. 1982, p. 3, § 48; Ga. L. 1984, p. 1323, § 1; Ga. L. 1987, p. 191, § 1; Ga. L. 1988, p. 475, § 1; Ga. L. 1989, p. 1402, § 1; Ga. L. 1990, p. 1350, § 1; Ga. L. 1991, p. 367, § 1; Ga. L. 1992, p. 1441, § 1; Ga. L. 1993, p. 728, § 1; Ga. L. 1993, p. 1402, § 16; Ga. L. 1994, p. 797, § 1; Ga. L. 1995, p. 324, § 1; Ga. L. 1996, p. 117, § 1; Ga. L. 1996, p. 130, § 1; Ga. L. 1996, p. 308, § 1; Ga. L. 1997, p. 396, § 1; Ga. L. 1998, p. 1224, § 1; Ga. L. 1999, p. 483, § 1; Ga. L. 2000, p. 1296, § 1; Ga. L. 2001, p. 1224, § 1; Ga. L. 2002, p. 439, § 1; Ga. L. 2003, p. 665, § 2; Ga. L. 2004, p. 410, § 2; Ga. L. 2005, p. 159, § 2/HB 488; Ga. L. 2006, p. 200, § 1/HB 1310; Ga. L. 2007, p. 2, §§ 1, 2/HB 357; Ga. L. 2008, p. 10, §§ 1, 2/HB 926; Ga. L. 2008, p. 324, § 48/SB 455; Ga. L. 2009, p. 6, §§ 1, 2/HB 74; Ga. L. 2010, p. 895, § 1/HB 1138; Ga. L. 2011, p. 38, § 1/HB 168; Ga. L. 2012, p. 694, § 1/HB 729; Ga. L. 2013, p. 7, § 1/HB 266; Ga. L. 2014, p. 231, § 1/HB 918; Ga. L. 2015, p. 2, § 1/HB 292; Ga. L. 2016, p. 1, § 1/HB 742; Ga. L. 2016, p. 864, § 48/HB 737; Ga. L. 2017, p. 4, § 1/HB 283; Ga. L. 2018, p. 8, § 1-1/HB 918; Ga. L. 2019, p. 817, § 1/HB 419; Ga. L. 2020, p. 184, § 1-1/HB 846; Ga. L. 2021, p. 1, § 1/HB 265.)    The 2015 amendment,  effective March 6, 2015, in paragraph (14), substituted "January 1, 2014" for "January 1, 2013" twice, substituted January 1, 2015" for "January 1, 2014" three times, substituted "November 15, 2015" for "November 15, 2013" and "April 15, 2015" for "April 15, 2013" once each, deleted "and" following "for tax years beginning in 2012," twice, inserted "and shall be $500,000.00 for tax years beginning in 2014,", inserted "and shall be $2 million for tax years beginning in 2014,", and inserted "as amended by federal Public Law 113-243". See Editor's notes for applicability.    The 2016 amendments.  The first 2016 amendment, effective February 23, 2016, in paragraph (14), substituted "January 1, 2015" for "January 1, 2014" twice, substituted "January 1, 2016" for "January 1, 2015" three times, and substituted "Section 168(k)(2)(E))" for "Section 168(k)(2)(E)". See Editor's notes for applicability. The second 2016 amendment, effective May 3, 2016, part of an Act to revise, modernize, and correct the Code, revised punctuation in paragraph (14).    The 2017 amendment,  effective March 21, 2017, in paragraph (14), substituted "2016" for "2015" twice, substituted "2017" for "2016" three times, and added ", and provided that subsection (b) of Section 3 of federal Public Law 114-292 shall be treated as if it is in effect, except the phrase 'Code Section 48-2-35' shall be substituted for the phrase 'section 6511(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986' and the phrase 'such section' shall be substituted for the phrase 'such subsection'" at the end of the second sentence. See Editor's note for applicability.    The 2018 amendment,  effective March 2, 2018, in paragraph (14), substituted "2017" for "2016" twice; substituted "February 9, 2018" for "January 1, 2017" three times; and in the first sentence, deleted "Section 85(c)," following "except that", deleted "Section 164(a)(6), Section 164(b)(6)," following "Section 163(e)(5)(F),", deleted "(but not excepting Section 168(k)(2)(A)(i), Section 168(k)(2)(D)(i), and Section 168(k)(2)(E))" preceding ", Section 168(m)", substituted "Section 179(d)(1)(B)(ii)" for "Section 172(b)(1)(H), Section 172(b)(1)(J), Section 172(j)", inserted "Section 381(c)(20), Section 382(d)(3)," following "Section 199,", inserted "and" following "Section 172(b)(1)(F),", deleted ", and Section 1221" following "Section 172(i)(1)", and inserted "and except that Section 118, Section 163(j), and Section 382(k)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, shall be treated as they were in effect before the 2017 enactment of federal Public Law 115-97,". See Editor's notes for applicability.    The 2019 amendment,  effective May 7, 2019, in paragraph (14), substituted "January 1, 2018" for "January 1, 2017" twice; and substituted "January 1, 2019" for "February 9, 2018" three times. See Editor's notes for applicability.    The 2020 amendment,  effective June 30, 2020, in paragraph (14), substituted "January 1, 2019" for "January 1, 2018" twice, substituted "March 27, 2020" for "January 1, 2019" three times, and inserted "and except that all provisions in federal Public Law 116-136 (CARES Act) that change or affect in any manner Section 172 and Section 461(l) shall be treated as if they were not in effect," in the first sentence. See Editor's notes for applicability.    The 2021 amendment,  effective February 24, 2021, in paragraph (14), twice substituted "January 1, 2020" for "January 1, 2019", and substituted "January 1, 2021" for "March 27, 2020" three times. See Editor's notes for applicability.   - Ga. L. 1987, p. 191, § 10, not codified by the General Assembly, provided that the Act applied to taxable years ending on or after March 11, 1987, and that a taxpayer with a taxable year ending on or after January 1, 1987, and before March 11, 1987, may elect to have the provisions of that Act apply; and also provided that tax, penalty, and interest liabilities and refund eligibility for prior taxable years shall not be affected by that Act; and also provided that provisions of the federal Tax Reform Act of 1986 and of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 which as of January 1, 1987, were not yet effective become effective for purposes of Georgia taxation on the same dates as they become effective for federal purposes.