Kemp Signs State Income Tax Refund Bill

Governor Brian P. Kemp signed HB 162 into law yesterday, providing for a special state income tax refund for Georgians who filed returns in both the 2021 and 2022 taxable years.

The AFY 2023 budget signed by Governor Kemp on March 10 accounts for the special refund, with over $1 billion in surplus funds on its way back to taxpayers. This is the second state income tax refund of its kind in as many years, which the governor says is due to conservative budgeting and the support of the General Assembly.

“While some in Washington D.C. are calling for tax increases, we’re sending money back to hardworking Georgians,” said Governor Brian Kemp. “And while they want to grow government, we’re growing opportunity. Last year, we returned over a billion dollars to the taxpayers of our state, and I’m proud we’re doing it again. Thank you to those in the General Assembly who supported this measure to help Georgia families fighting through 40-year high inflation.”

The Department of Revenue (DOR) will begin issuing the special income tax refunds within six to eight weeks. Taxpayers must file their 2021 and 2022 taxes prior to receiving the refund. Just as last year, single tax filers and married individuals who file separately could receive a maximum refund of $250, head of household filers could receive a maximum refund of $375, and married individuals who file joint returns could receive a maximum refund of $500, based on an individual or couple’s tax liability. DOR will issue the overwhelming majority of special income tax refunds by July 1 of this year, for those who file on or before April 18.

An FAQ page for this year’s tax refund is forthcoming on the DOR website. (Last year’s FAQ page can be found here). Georgia taxpayers will also have the ability to check the status of this special tax refund via an additional tool on the DOR website, expected to launch in 6-8 weeks.

First Reader Summary for HB 162 – A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Chapter 7 of Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to income taxes, so as to provide for a one-time tax credit for individual taxpayers who filed income tax returns for both the 2021 and 2022 taxable years; to provide for a definition; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

Read more on HB 162 here.