Georgia residents to get up to $500 in surplus tax refunds starting this week: Here's how you can claim it

Economic Times

3 days ago

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What is the eligibility criteria?
How much can you expect?
Georgia has issued surplus tax refunds of up to $500 to eligible residents, with payments starting this week. This initiative, authorized by House Bill 112 and signed into law by Governor Brian Kemp in April 2025, allocates nearly $1.2 billion from the state's $16.5 billion reserves to provide financial relief to taxpayers.Taxpayers in Georgia could be getting up to $500 in the near future as tax rebates are sent out. In April, Governor Brian Kemp signed House Bill 112 into law, authorizing a $1 billion special state income tax refund.This marks the third special tax refund Georgia has issued in recent years, following similar rebates in 2022 and 2023. Eligible taxpayers will receive the one-time refund after their 2024 state tax returns are processed, provided they meet specific requirements."Here in Georgia, we safeguard every dollar of taxpayer money, because we know it belongs to the people, not the government," Kemp said. "While other states are running up budget deficits and raising taxes on their citizens, we're investing in the priorities of our state while further cutting taxes and returning more than a billion dollars to hardworking Georgians! That's on top of the tax relief we've given in prior years and is a direct result of our conservative budgeting.'To qualify, taxpayers must have filed their 2023 and 2024 individual income tax returns, contributed to the state tax system, and have no outstanding debts with the Georgia Department of Revenue According to the official website of Georgia's Department of Revenue, you may be eligible for the HB 112 Surplus Tax Refund if you:File your Individual Income Tax Return for tax year 2023 and tax year 2024 by the May 1, 2025 deadline (or by October 15, 2025, if an extension was granted)• Had a tax liability for tax year 2023• Are a Georgia resident, part-year resident, or non-residentThe last date to file tax returns for 2024 was extended from April 15 to May 1 following the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.The refund amount for individual filers will be based on their 2023 tax liability and is capped at:$250 for single filers or those married filing separately$375 for heads of household$500 for couples filing jointlyIf you're not sure if you are eligible for a refund, you can check via the Surplus Tax Refund Eligibility Tool, available through the Georgia Tax Center, by inputting your tax year, Social Security number or tax identification number and federal adjusted gross income.The rebate amount a beneficiary receives depends on their filing status:$250 for single filers$250 for those married but filing separately$375 for head of household filers$500 for couples filing jointlyUnder Georgia law, these rebate payments are not subject to state taxes. However, if a recipient has outstanding debt owed to the state, the rebate may be reduced to offset that amount.If you paid state taxes or received your refund through direct deposit, your rebate will be deposited directly into your bank account. If you filed your return by mail, you'll receive the rebate as a paper check.Under Georgia law, the rebate is not treated as taxable income. However, it may be reduced or withheld to offset any debts you owe to the state.Other states are offering similar rebates. In New York, eligible taxpayers will receive inflation relief checks of up to $400, as confirmed by Governor Kathy Hochul.Refunds will be issued using the method selected in your standard refund instructions—either direct deposit or paper check. The Department has advised allowing 6–8 weeks from the May 1 deadline for payments to be processed. Typically, electronic deposits are issued sooner than mailed checks.You can track your refund through the Georgia Tax Center's e-filing services by entering the relevant tax year, your Social Security Number or ITIN, and your Federal Adjusted Gross Income (FAGI). If you've moved, make sure your address is updated in your Georgia Tax Center account.'As families continue to deal with the effects of rising costs, I want to thank our legislative partners for making this possible and for supporting their fellow Georgians,' said Governor Kemp.Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, in a statement: "Because we've managed our state's resources wisely, we're again able to return money to hardworking Georgians who know how best to use it. Along with our acceleration of the largest income tax rate cut in state history, this latest refund is just one more way we're working to support the people of our state, their families, and their businesses, because that's not the government's money, it's theirs!"Georgia State Revenue Commissioner Frank O'Connell: "Our department is ready to get this third round of refunds out the door efficiently and securely. We appreciate the continued partnership with the governor and the General Assembly in making this happen."