If you live in Georgia, you might have a little extra cash heading your way soon, up to $500, in fact. Thanks to a tax surplus, the state is sending out payments to qualifying residents. In a year where everything from gas to groceries costs more, this couldn’t come at a better time.
This new round of payments feels familiar, right? Back during the COVID-19 pandemic, the United States rolled out stimulus checks to help people through sudden job losses and rising costs. Those economic impact payments helped millions get through tough months. But now, those federal payments are behind us, and states are stepping in to help where they can.
Why is Georgia sending out checks?
Around the pandemic time, the federal government sent out three rounds of stimulus checks between 2020 and 2021. But now that those are over, some states are creating their own programs, especially with inflation still putting pressure on everyday budgets.
Here’s what’s going on in Georgia:
The state ended up with a budget surplus this year. Instead of keeping it, lawmakers decided to return a chunk of it— $1 billion—directly to taxpayers.
Governor Brian Kemp signed the refund into law, and it’s being managed by the Georgia Department of Revenue. This is Georgia’s way of offering some tax relief in the middle of a lingering cost-of-living crisis.
And this refund isn’t just symbolic; it’s actual money hitting bank accounts.
How can you get the $500 check?
Not everyone qualifies, but if you filed your taxes in Georgia and had a bit of a tax bill last year, you’re probably in the clear.
Here’s what you need to check:
- You filed your tax return for 2023 and 2024 on time (by May 1, 2025 — or October 15 if you got an extension).
- You owed income tax for 2023.
- You’re a Georgia resident: full-year, part-year, or even a nonresident who files in the state.
If you tick all those boxes, here’s what you might get:
- $250 if you filed as single or married filing separately
- $375 if you’re head of household
- $500 if you’re married filing jointly
These are flat amounts, so it doesn’t matter how much you earned; what matters is that you filed and owed something.
If you already filed your return, the Georgia Department of Revenue says you should see your payment within 6–8 weeks. You can even check your status using their online Surplus Refund Checker.
Other states are receiving surplus checks too
Georgia isn’t the only one doing this.
New York is also rolling out one-time payments as part of its 2025 Budget. Starting in mid-October, eligible residents could receive up to $400 in inflation rebate checks—another way states are trying to ease the load of rising inflation.
We’re seeing more of this around the country: states stepping up with targeted relief now that federal programs like the COVID-19 stimulus have ended. Whether it’s through tax refunds, credits, or rebates, it’s clear that the economic pandemic effect is still shaping how states budget and support their people.
A program that really helps their citizens
If you live in Georgia and paid state income taxes last year, don’t sleep on this. A $500 refund might not solve everything, but in times like these, every bit of tax relief counts.
With rising prices, a tight job market, and the aftershocks of the pandemic, a little help goes a long way. This program, backed by Governor of Georgia Brian Kemp, is meant to offer just that.
So double-check your tax status, keep an eye on your bank account, and tell your family and friends; it could help them too. And if you haven’t filed yet, get on it before the deadline. Free money is free money, especially when it’s coming straight from the state.