You could be getting some extra money as early as this week, thanks to a one-time state income tax refund.
Gov. Brian Kemp announced the payments totaling $1.6 billion are on the way and that most Georgia tax filers should expect their refund by early August. If you filed your 2020 and 2021 Georgia tax returns, you are eligible.
If you wrote a check, you’ll get a check. If you paid by ACH withdrawal or provided your bank information, the money will be directly deposited into your account. Refunds go straight to the taxpayer, not to any tax preparer.
According to a press release from the governor’s office, the refunds include:
- Up to $250 for single filers or married couples who file separately
- Up to $375 for head of household filers
- Up to $500 for couples who file a joint return
The amount of your refund depends on how much you owe in state taxes and what your filing status was in 2020.
If you haven’t filed your 2021 return yet, you’ll need to do that first. If you filed an extension for your 2021 taxes, you have until October 17 to file your Georgia tax return. Only after that would you be eligible for any possible refund.
If you paid state taxes that were less than the maximum amounts listed above, you will only get back the amount you paid. For example, if you’re a single filer who paid $180 in state taxes for 2021, you will get $180, not $250.
If you’ve moved since filing your 2021 taxes, update your address through the Georgia Tax Center (https://gtc.dor.ga.gov/) or call the Georgia Department of Revenue at (877) 423-6711.
If you filed separately but were claimed as a dependent on someone else’s taxes, you won’t get a refund.
The refund comes after state lawmakers found severe COVID-19 budget cuts in 202o weren’t necessary. In March, the Gold Dome passed a bill, HB 1302, refunding the money to taxpayers.
Learn more about the Georgia one-time tax refund at https://dor.georgia.gov/hb-1302-tax-refund-faqs
