While the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has already distributed the majority of federal tax refunds, millions of Americans may still be eligible for an unexpected financial boost—this time at the state level.
In Georgia, the state government has launched its third round of budget surplus tax refunds, made possible by a strong revenue surplus and authorized under House Bill 112 (HB112) during the 2025 legislative session. The program is set to return between $1 billion and $1.2 billion to eligible taxpayers.
Who Qualifies for a Refund?
To receive a refund, individuals must have filed tax returns for both the 2023 and 2024 tax years. Eligibility is open to:
- Full-time Georgia residents
- Partial-year residents
- Nonresidents with financial or tax ties to the state
Additionally, recipients must be in good standing with the Georgia Department of Revenue, with no outstanding state tax debts. The deadline to file was May 1, 2025, or October 15 with an approved extension.
Refund Amounts
The amount received varies based on marital status:
- Single or married filing separately: Up to $250
- Head of household: Up to $375
- Married filing jointly: Up to $500
How Payments Are Being Issued
The state began disbursing payments in June 2025, primarily via direct deposit. Taxpayers who opted for a physical check during filing may also receive their refunds by mail. Those who filed before May 1 can expect to receive payments within 6 to 8 weeks.
As of mid-June, over 476,000 refunds had been issued, totaling approximately $148 million, according to the Georgia Department of Revenue (DOR).
How to Track Your Refund
To check the status of a refund, taxpayers can use the Surplus Tax Refund Checker, a tool provided by the Georgia DOR. The system requires a Social Security Number or ITIN and the Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) from the 2023 return.
Bank transactions will appear under the label “GASTTAXRFD”, short for Georgia State Tax Refund. The DOR advises taxpayers to wait the full 8-week window before contacting them about delays.
