In 2023, the Georgia General Assembly passed and Governor Kemp signed legislation allowing for an additional refund of income taxes from tax year 2021 because the State of Georgia experienced a revenue surplus.
Eligibility
HB 162 allows for a tax refund out of the State's surplus to Georgia filers who meet eligibility requirements.
You may be eligible for the HB 162 Surplus Tax Refund if you:
- File your Individual Income Tax Return for tax year 2021 and tax year 2022 by the April 18, 2023 deadline (or by October 16, 2023 if an extension was granted)
- Had a tax liability for tax year 2021
- Are a Georgia resident, part-year resident, or nonresident
- Are not claimed as a dependent on another taxpayer's return (2021)
Requirements
You must file both your 2021 and your 2022 return by the deadline for filing the 2022 return (including any extension granted by the Department of Revenue).
NOTE: If an extension was filed for tax year 2022, you have until October 16, 2023, to file your 2022 return. This includes federally declared disaster areas.
When will I get my refund?
The state began issuing refunds in April 2023 to individuals who filed their taxes prior to the April 18, 2023, deadline.
Taxpayers that received an extension will not receive a refund until they have filed their taxes.
Click HERE to check the status of your GA Surplus Refund.
How will I receive my refund?
You will receive your refund based on the instructions you provided in your original tax filing. If you selected mailed check and your address has changed since you filed your 2022 return, you may update your address through the Georgia Tax Center (https://gtc.dor.ga.gov/).
If you used our File N Go option to pay your tax program fees from your return, your refund will be deposited through the third-party bank into the same account.
How much is the refund?
The amount you can receive depends on your 2021 filing status and your tax liability
Refer to your 2021 income tax return, Line 16 of Form 500 or Line 4 of Form 500EZ to determine your tax liability.
The maximum you can receive is the lesser of your tax liability or
- Single filers and married individuals who file separately = $250
- Head of Household filers = $375
- Married individuals who file joint returns = $500
Is the refund taxable?
The IRS has not yet released any guidance determining if the refund will be taxable on the federal return. Georgia will not tax the surplus refund. If state income tax refunds, including the special refund, are included in your federal taxable income, subtract them on the line 12 adjustment on the Schedule 1 of Form 500.