U.S. state legislators Georgia A tax relief measure has been approved that would provide residents with one-time stimulus payments of up to $500.
The proposal now goes to Gov. Brian Kemp, who is expected to sign it into law before the payments can be made.
Who is eligible for the $500 payment?
The amount residents receive will depend on their tax return status. Under the approved plan, single filers would receive $250, heads of household $375 and married couples filing jointly up to $500.
The payments are tied to state revenues in 2024 or 2025 tax return.
To qualify, taxpayers must file their tax returns on time. People who have not yet filed a 2025 state tax return must do so by April 15, 2026 to be eligible for a refund.
No need to apply
Eligible residents do not need to apply separately for payment. The Georgia Department of Revenue will automatically issue refunds based on the most recent tax return on file.
Also read: IRS additional $775 refund alert: Millions may receive unexpected payments
Payments will be made using the same method as previous refunds, either by direct deposit or mailed check.
When will payment be sent?
The exact distribution schedule has not yet been determined. Once the bill is signed into law, state officials will decide when payments will begin.
According to reports, the majority of refunds are expected to be issued in fiscal 2026. However, the timing will depend on when the legislation is enacted and how quickly tax returns are processed.
Also read: Did the IRS reject your tax return? Here’s how to fix the problem and avoid refund delays
How much does the program cost?
The one-time stimulus package is expected to cost the state nearly $1.1 billion and reflects a major effort to return remaining funds to taxpayers.
For now, residents are advised to ensure their tax returns are up to date and to monitor further announcements from state authorities regarding payment schedules.
