If you’re a Georgia resident, check your bank account. The state began issuing its 2026 surplus tax rebate on May 4th, and payments are going out right now.
Governor Brian Kemp signed HB 1000 into law on March 20, 2026, and the Georgia Department of Revenue has begun issuing surplus tax refunds to eligible Georgia taxpayers as part of a $1.2 billion rebate program. This is part of a continued effort to return the state’s budget surplus directly to the residents who generated it. This is the fourth time since 2022 that the state has issued special tax rebates of this kind.
How Much Will You Receive?
The amount depends on your filing status. Single filers can receive up to $250, heads of household up to $375, and married couples filing jointly up to $500. The state specifies that refunds will not exceed the amount of taxes owed — meaning if your Georgia individual income tax liability for 2024 was less than the maximum, your rebate will be capped at what you actually paid in.
Do You Qualify?
Eligibility is straightforward. Any Georgian who was a full-year resident in 2024 and 2025 and filed a timely Georgia individual income tax return for both years is eligible for the full rebate. Part-year and nonresident filers who filed Georgia individual tax returns for both years will be eligible for a proportional refund.
Here are the main reasons you would not qualify, according to the Georgia Department of Revenue:
- You did not file both a 2024 and a 2025 Georgia income tax return by the deadline
- You filed using an ITIN on your 2024 or 2025 return
- Your Georgia tax liability for 2024 was $0
- You are a part-year or nonresident filer and your prorated refund amount is less than $1.00
If you owe the state for delinquent taxes or child support, the state may use the rebate to offset some of those debts, which means you may receive a reduced amount or none at all.
If you filed for an extension on your 2025 return, you’re not out of luck. Those who requested a tax filing extension will have until October 15 to file and will be eligible for the rebate after that.
When Will You Get It?
Payments are going out through direct deposit and paper checks, in phases, with timing depending on when you filed and whether your return requires additional review. Those who filed early are more likely to see their money sooner. How you receive it will match the refund instructions on your most recent Georgia tax return.
How to Check Your Status
You can check the status of your rebate anytime using the Georgia Department of Revenue’s Surplus Tax Refund checker. You’ll need your Social Security number or individual taxpayer ID number, along with the amount of your federal adjusted gross income from your state tax return — found on line 16 of Form 500 or line 4 of Form 500EZ. The status report is updated nightly.
The Georgia Department of Revenue asks that you wait six to eight weeks from the March 20th signing date before calling their office, as representatives will only have access to the same information available through the online tool.
More Georgia Tax Relief May Be Coming
The surplus rebate isn’t the only tax relief potentially on the way for Georgians. Governor Kemp has until May 12, 2026, to sign House Bill 463, which would lower Georgia’s income tax rate from 5.19% to 4.99% for 2026, with further reductions planned each year down to 3.99% by 2034. The bill would also raise the state standard deduction to $15,000 for single filers and $30,000 for married couples, and exempt up to $1,750 in tips and overtime pay from state taxes between 2026 and 2028. We’ll have more on that as it develops.
Have Questions About Your Georgia Taxes?
A state rebate is a straightforward payment for most people — but if your situation is more complex, if you owe back taxes, or if the state is offsetting your rebate against a debt you weren’t aware of, it’s worth getting some clarity before assuming everything is in order.
At Morris and Associates, Ken Morris sits down personally with every client to review their complete tax picture — state and federal. Whether you have questions about your Georgia income taxes, need help with tax planning, or have an unresolved IRS issue that needs attention, we’re here to help.
Contact Morris and Associates today for a free consultation. We’re right here in the North Atlanta area and ready to help.
