$1B Tax Refund Planned For GA Filers In 3rd Rebate, Kemp Says

ATLANTA, GA — Gov. Brian Kemp on Tuesday announced a $1 billion tax rebate proposal that would send a one-time, special refund to taxpayers.

The third rebate initiated by state officials would provide $250 to single tax filers, $375 to head-of-household filers and $500 to married couples filing jointly, according to Kemp's office.

The surplus funding, which would not be taxable income, would come from Georgia's amended budget, Kemp said.

"This isn't the government's money. It's yours. That money belongs to hardworking Georgians. It belongs to small businesses that drive our economy," he said at a news conference.

"It belongs to the farmers and families who were devastated by Hurricane Helene. It belongs to the rural communities to help grow our communities, and it belongs to the men and women throughout our state who are struggling. …"

The proposed tax rebate must be approved by Georgia lawmakers before being enacted, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The Georgia General Assembly will reconvene in January.

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The governor added the rebate could assist families with necessities such as paying rent, purchasing groceries or buying school clothes for children. The measure comes at a time when Kemp noted the rising cost of living.

Aside from filing their 2023 and 2024 individual tax returns, state officials said no additional action is necessary in order for residents to obtain the rebate.

Under Kemp's gubernatorial tenure, between tax rebates and other fiscal measures, his office said taxpayers have saved at least $6.6 billion.

Kemp said his office will remain dedicated to cutting taxes.

"Stay tuned for the second Monday in January," Kemp said.

News of the rebate proposal comes weeks after Georgia was ravaged by Helene, which left a devastating mark on the southern region. The Category 2 storm left its footprint in South Georgia before downgrading to a tropical storm as it traveled throughout the state.

Dozens of residents throughout Georgia were killed due to the storm and its impacts.

After the storm, Kemp initiated and extended a state of emergency and a gas tax suspension. The state of emergency is set to expire at 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, while the gas tax suspension expired last week.