Would you like to get an extra check without having to lift a finger? If you live permanently in Georgia and have paid your state taxes, you could receive some money very soon.
The Empire State of the South is issuing a new round of tax refunds this summer as a result of a public treasury surplus. And no, this is not a joke or a bank promotion: it is legitimate money that has already been distributed to millions of recipients.
Georgia Tax Rebate 2025: The surplus is being distributed to thousands of Georgians
This tax refund program, in the form of stimulus payments, known as the “Georgia Tax Rebate 2025,” provides a small financial relief to thousands of compliant taxpayers.
Governor Brian Kemp sponsored the measure, which was passed by the General Assembly as House Bill 112, with the support of a large majority of local legislators.
To support this project, the state has a more than $11 billion surplus, which will be returned to taxpayers in 2025.
The income tax rate was also lowered, falling to 5.19% this year. This is the third time such a refund has been issued since 2022, and it appears to be a tax tradition in Georgia.
Who qualifies for this payment?
The first requirement for receiving a tax refund is to have filed your state tax returns for 2023 and 2024. Both must be submitted before May 1, 2025. It is worth noting that some people affected by natural disasters, such as Hurricane Helene, may have been granted an extension to file their taxes.
In addition, you must be a Georgia resident, either full-time or part-time, or have had taxable income in the state if you are a nonresident with economic or financial interests there. In either of the eligible cases, you must have had a positive tax liability in 2023. That is, if you received a refund for your payment and did not owe the state anything, you would not be eligible for this refund.
Individuals who have been claimed as “dependents” on another taxpayer’s tax return, or who are exempt from non-taxable retirement income in Georgia, are also ineligible. In other words, if you failed to pay state income tax in 2023, you will not receive a check.
Georgia tax rebate program amounts you may receive
The amounts vary according to the beneficiary’s tax status. Individuals who filed as single or married filing separately will receive up to $250.
If you are the head of the household, you can receive up to $375. Married couples filing jointly can receive a maximum of $500. If your tax liability was less than those amounts, your refund will be the same as the amount you paid.
Please keep in mind that if you are a partial resident or non-resident, the amount will be adjusted proportionally based on your income earned in Georgia.
You are not required to do anything when applying. There are no forms to complete, nor are there any time-consuming or complicated application procedures. If you met the requirements and submitted your returns on time, the state Department of Revenue will automatically process your refund.
For those who chose direct deposit when filing, the funds will be deposited directly into the bank account you specified. However, if you requested a paper check, your payment will be delivered to your mailbox, but it may take several days or weeks.
Payments began in June 2025, shortly after the governor signed the law. Since then, they have been sent in weekly batches, with most taxpayers receiving their payments within six to eight weeks.
