Is there sales tax on groceries in Georgia?
Quick answer
No. Groceries bought for home preparation are exempt from Georgia state sales tax. Prepared and restaurant food is still taxable.
Food for home consumption is exempt from the 4% state rate, but local option and SPLOST taxes still apply to groceries.
Rule summary
How Georgia treats each category.
| Grocery food (home consumption) | Exempt from state sales tax |
|---|---|
| Prepared and restaurant food | Taxable at the full combined rate (8.9%) |
| Candy and soft drinks | Usually taxable even where groceries are exempt |
| Prescription medicine | Exempt |
Source: Georgia Department of Revenue · rates as published for 2026
This page summarizes the general rule. Every state writes exceptions for specific products, and local jurisdictions can differ from the state treatment. Confirm your situation with the Georgia Department of Revenue or a tax professional before relying on it for filing.
Combined rates in Georgia
What a taxable purchase actually costs in Georgia.
Frequently asked
Answers pulled from the same rule set.
- Is there sales tax on groceries in Georgia?
- No. Groceries bought for home preparation are exempt from Georgia state sales tax. Prepared and restaurant food is still taxable.
- Is prepared food taxed differently than groceries in Georgia?
- Yes. Georgia treats hot, ready-to-eat and restaurant food as a taxable retail sale even where unprepared grocery food is exempt or reduced.
- Are prescription drugs taxable in Georgia?
- No. Prescription medicine is exempt from sales tax in Georgia.
More Georgia guides
Other Georgia rules that change the total.