State Fiduciary Income Tax

Georgia Form 501: The Georgia Fiduciary Income Tax Return

Estates and trusts connected to Georgia file Form 501 with the DOR — on top of, not instead of, the federal Form 1041. Here is who must file, the deadlines, the rates, and the Georgia-specific rules that differ from federal.

E-File the Federal 1041Federal Form 1041 Guide

Quick Answer

Form 501 is Georgia’s fiduciary income tax return, filed with the DOR. Due: The 15th day of the 4th month after the year ends — April 15 for calendar-year filers. Tax: Georgia's flat rate — 5.19% for 2025, with further legislated reductions scheduled. It is filed in addition to the federal Form 1041 — prepare the federal return first, then the state return that builds on it.

Form 501 at a glance

ReturnForm 501 — Georgia Fiduciary Income Tax Return
Filed withGeorgia Department of Revenue
Who must fileEstates and trusts with gross income of $600 or more for the year, or with any nonresident alien beneficiary — mirroring the federal thresholds.
Due dateThe 15th day of the 4th month after the year ends — April 15 for calendar-year filers.
ExtensionA federal Form 7004 extension is honored for the matching 5½ months; without one, file Georgia Form IT-303 by the due date for up to 6 months. Payment is still due by the original date.
Tax rateGeorgia's flat rate — 5.19% for 2025, with further legislated reductions scheduled.
E-filingForm 501 e-files through the Fed/State MeF program via approved software.

What makes Georgia different

  • Georgia is the rare state that copied the federal filing thresholds — $600 of gross income or a nonresident alien beneficiary — so if you owe a federal 1041 as a Georgia estate or trust, you almost certainly owe a Form 501 too.
  • Georgia’s flat rate is a moving target by statute: 5.19% for 2025, with scheduled annual reductions — check the current booklet before computing.

The federal return comes first

Form 501 does not replace the federal filing — an estate or trust that meets the federal thresholds ($600 of gross income, any taxable income for a trust, or a nonresident alien beneficiary) files the federal Form 1041 with the IRS and then the Georgia return with the DOR, which generally starts from the federal figures. The practical workflow: finish the federal 1041 and its Schedule K-1s, then carry the numbers into Form 501. Our federal Form 1041 guide covers the thresholds, deadlines, and elections, and the Schedule K-1 guide explains what beneficiaries do with their share.

Start with the federal Form 1041

Prepare and e-file the federal fiduciary return through the IRS MeF system with an electronic acknowledgment — the foundation the Georgia return builds on.

E-File the Federal 1041

Georgia fiduciary tax FAQs

Who must file Georgia Form 501?
Estates and trusts with gross income of $600 or more for the year, or with any nonresident alien beneficiary — mirroring the federal thresholds.
When is Form 501 due?
The 15th day of the 4th month after the year ends — April 15 for calendar-year filers. Extension: A federal Form 7004 extension is honored for the matching 5½ months; without one, file Georgia Form IT-303 by the due date for up to 6 months. Payment is still due by the original date.
What is the Georgia fiduciary tax rate?
Georgia's flat rate — 5.19% for 2025, with further legislated reductions scheduled. Rates and thresholds change — verify against the current Form 501 instructions from Georgia Department of Revenue before computing.
Do I still file the federal Form 1041 if I file Form 501?
Yes — they are separate obligations. The federal Form 1041 goes to the IRS under the federal $600 gross-income (or any-taxable-income) thresholds, and Form 501 goes to the DOR under Georgia's own rules. Most fiduciaries prepare the federal return first, since the state return typically starts from federal amounts.
If I filed a federal 7004, do I still need Georgia Form IT-303?
No — Georgia honors the federal extension for the fiduciary return; attach a copy when filing Form 501. IT-303 is the fallback when there is no federal extension or when only the Georgia return needs more time. Neither extends the time to pay Georgia tax.

Other state fiduciary guides

North Carolina Form D-407 · Michigan Form MI-1041 · Virginia Form 770 · Massachusetts Form 2 · Maryland Form 504 · California Form 541 · all states

Disclaimer: State filing thresholds, rates, and extension rules change — verify current requirements in the Form 501 instructions published by Georgia Department of Revenue before filing. This page is general information, not tax advice. TaxFilingCenter is an IRS-authorized e-file provider for federal returns and does not provide legal or tax advice.