2025 Tax Refund: Who Qualifies for $250, $375, or $500 and When Payments Will Arrive

The Georgia Department of Revenue (DOR) has officially started distributing the 2025 surplus tax refund, with millions of payments already processed. However, many taxpayers are still awaiting their refunds as the state continues to release payments in phases.

This one-time refund is made possible by Georgia’s substantial budget surplus and is designed to provide financial relief to eligible residents. The refund amount depends on each filer’s status, while federal refunds from the IRS have already been completed for this year.

Georgia Surplus Tax Refunds: Current Payment Status

The refund amounts vary by filing status:

• Single filers and married filing separately: $250
• Head of household: $375
• Married filing jointly: $500

For part-year residents or non-residents, the refund will be prorated according to Georgia taxable income.

While the payment is not taxable at the state level, it may be considered federally taxable if you claimed itemized deductions last year.

To avoid errors, the state is issuing these refunds through a gradual weekly schedule rather than sending all payments at once.

First and Second Rounds of Refunds

The first round of payments, which began in June 2025, is nearing completion. Officials confirm that over $1 billion has been distributed across 3 million refunds, covering about 98% of eligible taxpayers.

If you filed your 2024 return but have not yet received payment, your refund is most likely in the final batches still being processed.

A second round of refunds will be issued later in the year for taxpayers who requested an extension. Those who extended their filing have until October 15, 2025, to submit their returns. Refunds for this group will begin shortly afterward, starting in October 2025.

How to Track Your Georgia Refund

You can check your refund status using the Georgia Department of Revenue’s refund tracker. To access it, you’ll need:

• Your SSN or ITIN
• Your 2023 Georgia AGI (found on Line 16 of Form 500 or Line 4 of Form 500EZ)

Possible Reasons for Delays

1. Offsets: Your refund may be reduced or withheld to pay debts such as unpaid state taxes or child support.
2. Processing schedule: Payments are issued weekly, so timing varies.
3. Errors: Minor mistakes in your submitted information can cause delays.

When the funds are deposited into your bank account, they will appear under “GASTTAXRFD”, which stands for Georgia State Tax Refund. Taxpayers will also receive a Form 1099-G in early 2026, showing the refund total for federal tax reporting.

The 2025 Georgia surplus tax refund provides a welcome financial boost for residents, but patience is key as the distribution process is staggered.

Most payments from the first round have been successfully sent, while the second phase will begin in October 2025 for extension filers.

Taxpayers are encouraged to track their refund online, double-check their filing details, and prepare for the possibility of federal tax implications.

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