Millions of Georgians could qualify for direct payments of up to $500 as part of a state tax rebate program recently enacted by Republican Governor Brian Kemp.
Newsweek reached out to Kemp’s office for comments via email.
Significance
Kemp, who is being considered as a possible future Senate or presidential candidate, signed the legislation on Tuesday. This rebate is expected to provide $1 billion in tax relief to numerous eligible taxpayers in Georgia.
Essential Information
The refund will affect those residing in Georgia who have submitted tax returns in the state over the last two years. Refunds will be processed according to the instructions on tax forms. Historically, around 75 percent of these refunds were issued through direct deposit, as per Georgia’s Department of Revenue.
The initiative aims to offer relief to Georgians coping with “the effects of elevated prices over the past several years,” Kemp stated.
AP Photo/Jeff Amy
Eligibility for Georgia Tax Refund
To qualify for the refund, several criteria must be met, as outlined by the Georgia Department of Revenue.
Individuals must have filed their tax return for the 2023 and 2024 tax years by May 1, 2025. They should have also reported a tax liability in 2023 and be a resident, part-year resident, or taxable non-resident of Georgia.
Refund Amounts for Georgians
The amount received will vary based on filing status and tax liability. Married couples filing jointly could potentially receive up to $500, while heads of household may get up to $375. Single filers may receive up to $250, as indicated by Georgia’s Department of Revenue.
The refund is determined by the taxpayer’s filing status on their 2023 tax return.
For part-year residents and taxable non-residents, the refund will be adjusted proportionally based on tax liabilities.
Nearly 4 million married individuals in Georgia could be eligible for the highest refund, according to the Coastal Georgia Indicators Coalition.
Responses
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, in a statement: “In Georgia, we ensure every dollar of taxpayer money is protected, as it rightfully belongs to the people, not the government. While other states face budget deficits and impose tax increases, we are prioritizing our state’s needs, further reducing taxes, and returning over a billion dollars to hardworking Georgians! This is in addition to previous tax relief and stems from our conservative budgeting.”
Georgia House Speaker Jon Burns, in a statement: “These landmark measures reaffirm our pledge to provide essential financial assistance to families throughout the state and fulfill the policies that matter most to our citizens.”
Next Steps
With Tax Day having passed on April 15, eligible individuals for both state and federal refunds may start receiving them in the coming weeks, if they haven’t done so already.
