Georgia turns budget surplus into taxpayer refund checks
If you’re a Georgia resident, you might just see a bit more money in your wallet — but it won’t be an IRS refund. The state government said that it will be sending out stimulus refund checks of as much as $500 to eligible taxpayers based on a whopping budget surplus from the last year.
This measure is under House Bill 112 (HB 112) signed into law to ensure that the excess revenue gained by the state flows directly back into taxpayers’ pockets rather than being used for further public expenditures.
According to the Georgia Department of Revenue (DOR), this excess was generated in fiscal year 2023, when state revenue exceeded budget projections. The DOR explained it and stated the concept is simple — to give back money to Georgians who have paid their taxes and contributed to the state’s economy.
“The refund is a means of returning cash to those who helped create the excess — Georgia’s diligent taxpayers,” the department stated in a release.
How much you can receive from the Georgia stimulus
The amount of each taxpayer will be based on their filing status. Here is how much you might receive:
Single filers or married couples filing separately: Up to $250
- Heads of household: Up to $375
- Joint filers: Up to $500
The last number will be based on your tax liability for 2023. That is, if your entire tax due was below the most your filing status would pay, your refund would also be limited to that lower figure.
For example, if you are a single filer who owes only $180 in state income tax in 2023, your refund will be $180 — not the full $250. On the other hand, if you owed more than $250, you will receive the biggest possible refund.
It also should be noted that the residents who owe zero state income tax for 2023 won’t be eligible for the payment.
How and when payment will be made
The good news is that you don’t have to apply for this stimulus rebate. Payments will be made automatically to eligible residents once they’ve filed their state income tax returns, the Georgia Department of Revenue said.
If you selected direct deposit as the way to get your refund when you filed, the funds will be deposited into your bank account. Those who selected a paper check will have their funds sent to them by mail.
Refunds began being processed in August 2025, and the majority of taxpayers who filed their 2024 tax return on time already have their refunds. But if you had requested an extension of time to file the tax return, you’re not yet out of luck. As long as you file your 2024 state tax return before October 15, 2025, you can still obtain the refund.
The DOR said the checks will keep on being sent out in batches throughout the fall. That would equate to taxpayers who file closer to the deadline receiving their checks sometime between late September and mid-October 2025.
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Who qualifies for the Georgia refund check
To qualify for Georgia’s HB 112 stimulus refund, you’ll need to meet all of the following requirements:
- Be a resident of Georgia who meets the Department of Revenue’s filing requirements.
- File your 2023 and 2024 state tax returns (or no later than October 15, 2025, if you had an extension allowed).
- You’ve had a positive tax liability in 2023, meaning you had a balance due of some amount of state income tax.
- If you’ve met these requirements, your payment will be made automatically — no further action required on your part.
A welcome boost for Georgia families
While this refund is not necessarily a federal stimulus, it will nonetheless be relief that resonates with Georgia families stretched thin by sky-high expenses. Whether it’s a little extra $250 to put on groceries, $375 for school expenses, or $500 to cover a month’s utility bills, many families say the timing couldn’t be better.
Since the second wave of distributions is scheduled for October, residents are cautioned to check their tax filing status and update their records with the Georgia Department of Revenue.
So if you see a deposit in your account at some point in the near future—don’t panic, it isn’t from the IRS. It’s Georgia’s thank-you note for you paying your taxes in a timely manner.
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