Governor Brian Kemp (R-GA) and the Georgia Department of Revenue (DOR) announced today that the state has begun issuing the one-time, special tax refunds authorized by House Bill 1000 during the 2026 legislative session.
This is the fourth special refund under Gov. Kemp's leadership. It will return over $1 billion to Georgia taxpayers, owing to the state's priority of maintaining a balanced budget.
Gov. Kemp asserted his position as a fiscal conservative that Georgians simply know best how to spend their money. He stated that tax refunds like this are only possible in states with balanced budgets, such as Georgia.
"Georgians know best how to spend their money, not the government," said Gov. Kemp in a statement. "That's why we're committed to being good stewards of those dollars and putting more of them where they belong - in Georgians' pockets - at a time when other states are having to raise taxes."
Refund Details
Most eligible taxpayers who filed their 2024 and 2025 returns before the filing deadline can expect to receive their refund within the coming weeks.
Previous refunds were issued in 2022, 2023, and 2025. To be eligible, Georgia taxpayers must have filed both 2024 and 2025 individual income tax returns, paid into the system, and not owe the DOR.
An individual filer’s refund amount will depend on their tax liability and is capped at:
- $250 for single filers and married individuals filing separately
- $375 for head of household filers
- $500 for married individuals filing jointly
Taxpayers curious about their eligibility can use the Surplus Tax Refund Eligibility Tool, available through the Georgia Tax Center, by filling in their tax year, Social Security Number or Tax Identification Number, and Federal Adjusted Gross Income.
Thanks to common-sense budgeting, over $1 billion is going back into taxpayers’ pockets!
Hardworking Georgia families will receive up to $500 refunds, for joint filers, because you know how to spend your money best, not the government!https://t.co/eDZ8ZwB0jp pic.twitter.com/OC2mFSRlTm
— Governor Brian P. Kemp (@GovKemp) May 4, 2026
