State Representative Josh Bonner (R-Fayetteville), one of the governor’s floor leaders, recently introduced House Bill 1302, legislation that would provide a one-time tax credit for eligible Georgia taxpayers who filed income tax returns in both 2020 and 2021.
Rep. Bonner is carrying HB 1302 on behalf of Governor Brian Kemp, who recently announced his plan to issue tax refunds using an undesignated revenue surplus of $1.6 billion.
“When government takes in more than it needs, surplus funds should be sent back to the hardworking Georgians who move our state forward,” said Rep. Bonner. “The taxpayers should have full jurisdiction over where their excess money goes. After all, people, not the government, know how to use their hard-earned income best.”
Based on their 2020 tax filer status, single tax filers would receive a $250 refund, head-of-household filers would receive $375, and those who file jointly would receive a $500 refund once 2021 tax returns are processed by the state. This tax refund would not be taxable under Georgia law, and taxpayers would not accrue interest on the rebate.
During his annual State of the State address, Gov. Kemp announced his intentions to issue tax refunds to Georgian taxpayers. The governor proposed that the Georgia Department of Revenue issue $1.6 billion in tax refunds to every taxpayer in Georgia using funds from this surplus.
For more information on HB 1301, click here.https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/61968
Bonner represents the citizens of District 72, which includes portions of Coweta and Fayette counties. He was elected into the House of Representatives in 2016, and currently serves as Vice Chairman of the Defense & Veterans Affairs Committee and Vice Chairman of the Creative Arts & Entertainment Committee. He also serves on the Appropriations Subcommittee on Economic Development, Economic Development & Tourism, Human Relations & Aging, Interstate Cooperation and Industry and Labor committees.
How about updating the GA tax code to accommodate the doughnut hole created by the Trump tax cuts? If you elect the fed standard deduction of $25.1k now you are married to take the state,s measly $6k standard deduction. So you will pay state income tax on 19.1k difference which is over $1k. Or you take the less than standard fed deduction and pay more fed tax to reduce your state tax. I bet that is a major source of the state tax windfall.
Error in above. Meant to say take your lower ITEMIZED deductions on the fed to reduce your state tax hit
Nice first attempt Josh, but too simplistic. Why tie refund amount to filing status? The right (fair) move is to refund based upon taxes paid to the state.
Good idea- the more you pay, the more you get back. I’d be happy if they keep the money and do something about the 74-54 intersection, or there is a section of SR85 near Woodbury on the way to Warm Springs from Fayette that could use some attention, too. I’m sure there is state infrastructure all over Georgia in need of repair.
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