Large Image - Recommended Size: 1400 by 585px

Economic Development / Cost of Doing Business

Franklin County Incentives are Many and Costs are Low

Tax exemptions, fee waivers and property tax abatements are some of the incentives that make the cost of doing business low in Franklin County, Georgia. Additionally, a wage rate lower than the U.S. average keeps business costs in check.

Annual Wage Comparison

  • image
    Southeast $31,087
  • image
    Georgia $65,780
  • image
    Franklin County $44,772
image

Annual Wage
Comparison by Industry

Franklin County Georgia Southeast
Manufacturing $55,068 $52,988 $41,908
Transportation & Warehousing $54,860 $52,832 $41,231
Retail $26,088 $30,264 $32,714
Healthcare & Social Assistance $46,904 $48,100 $59,486
Accommodations & Food Service $18,668 $19,968 $27,542
Sources: Georgia Dept. of Labor; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2023

Freeport Tax

100% exemption on raw materials, goods in process or manufacture and finished goods destined for shipment out of state.

Corporate Income Tax

In Georgia is 5.75%.

Single-factor apportionment treats a company’s gross receipts, or sales in Georgia, as the only relevant factor in determining the portion of that company’s income subject to the state corporate income tax rate.

Sales Tax

Franklin County’s sales tax rate is 7%:

  • 4% State
  • 1% Local Option Sales Tax
  • 1% Local E-SPLOST
  • (Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax)
  • 1% Local SPLOST
  • (Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax)

Hotel/Motel Tax

Overnight visitors to Franklin County will pay sales tax and Hotel/Motel Tax.

  • Franklin County: 5%
  • City of Franklin Springs: 3%
  • City of Lavonia: 8%
  • City of Royston: 3%
May 2022

Property Taxes

(per $1,000 of Fair Market Value)

Real and personal property in Franklin County is assessed on 40 percent (%) fair market value (FMV). The assessed value is then multiplied by the total mill rate for the jurisdiction to calculate the tax bill.

  1. Sample Tax Calculation: $1,000 FMV x 40% = $400
  2. Using unincorporated Franklin County+ Schools+Development Authority:
    $400 x .027931 = $11.17 per $1,000

Millage Rate

image
City of Canon 0.000
City of Carnesville 1.460
City of Franklin Springs 6.000
City of Lavonia 9.041
City of Royston 10.000
County – Incorporated 10.840
County – Unincorporated 9.785
Development Authority 0.250
Franklin County Schools 15.765
Source: Georgia Dept. of Revenue