MILLIONS of financially struggling Americans could soon receive a one-time check of up to $500.
The payments will be sent through a newly approved relief program.
1
Officials say direct deposits may arrive within weeks, describing the checks as part of a $1 billion refund initiative.
The payments are made possible by a $16 billion budget surplus.
Initially proposed in October and just signed into law, the program offers $250 to single filers, $500 to joint filers, and $375 to heads of households.
Taxpayers in Georgia are eligible, with payments expected as soon as early June, according to WABE.
Paper checks will also be mailed to taxpayers.
However, the checks are not sent out automatically.
Recipients must take action to qualify.
Americans must file their 2023 and 2024 tax returns to receive the benefit.
Georgia residents had a May 1 deadline extension due to Hurricane Helene.
This extension also applied to taxpayers in Florida, North Carolina, and Alabama.
Those who filed for additional time now have until October 15.
Eligibility requires living in Georgia for some or all of 2023 and having a 2023 tax liability.
Governor Brian Kemp explained the initiative, citing economic pressure on families.
“Inflation may have fallen, but high prices are still here and weighing down hardworking Georgians,” he said in October.
Local residents have praised the relief checks.
“Amazing, amazing… good to know someone is looking out for us,” Steven Williams of Hinesville, Georgia, told CBS affiliate WTOC-TV.
This marks the third consecutive year Georgia has distributed rebate payments.
Separately, Washington state is offering residents rebates of up to $1,200 through an electric bike incentive.
Applications for that program began April 9.
Meanwhile, IRS officials warn Americans who missed the April 15 filing deadline risk losing out on up to $1,400 from the 2021 stimulus round.