Panel advances $1.17 billion state income tax refund proposal

A Georgia legislative subcommittee on Tuesday advanced House Bill 1000 (LC590225), a governor-backed measure to deliver roughly $1.17 billion in state income tax refunds to taxpayers.

Lee, who presented the bill to the committee, said the refund would be funded via the amended budget and would provide $250 for individual filers, $375 for heads of household and $500 for married couples filing jointly. "The value of this tax refund is approximately $1,170,000,000," Lee said.

Committee members asked whether the funding was already included in the governor's budget; Lee replied that it was. He also said the legislature and governor have committed to returning nearly $9.4 billion to Georgians in recent years, with $7.3 billion returned from surplus revenues over the last four years, a figure Lee cited during questioning.

After brief questions, the chair called the question. Members registered their support by voice, and the committee moved the bill forward for further consideration.

The committee did not provide a roll-call tally or a detailed cost breakdown in the hearing; Lee said the funds would be reflected in an amended budget. The next procedural step is for the bill to be scheduled for floor consideration or further committee action as determined by legislative leaders.