Kemp Signs $1.2B Rebates Into Law, Briefly Halts GA Gas Tax

ATLANTA, GA — Gov. Brian Kemp on Friday signed two bills to return $1.2 billion to taxpayers and suspend Georgia's gas tax for 60 days.

Members of the Georgia General Assembly joined Kemp as he signed house bills 1000 and 1199 into law.

"Today's suspension of the state gas tax enabled by House Bill 1199 will save hardworking Georgians and the truckers who keep our state moving nearly $400 million over the next 60 days," Georgia House Speaker Jon Burns said in a news release.

"Whether it's the immediate relief for millions of businesses, drivers, and citizens in House Bill 1199, the income tax rebates enabled by House Bill 1000 or the property tax relief grants in the amended 2026 budget, here in Georgia, we aren't just talking about addressing affordability, we're delivering results."

The signage comes a day after the Georgia Senate fully approved the amended HB 1199 and merely days after the complete passage of HB 1000. The latter will send up to $500 to 2024 and 2025 tax filers.

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State officials have not released a timeline for sending the tax returns, but the Georgia Department of Revenue told Patch in mid-March the refunds were expected to be allocated as in previous years. Preparations were underway at the time, the DOR said.

Kemp first announced the surplus rebates in his final State of the State address in January. He also revealed plans to slash the income tax rate to 4.99 percent.

This will be his fourth time cutting taxes and sending tax rebates to Georgia residents. As in the past, single filers will receive $250, heads of household will receive $375 and married couples filing jointly will receive $500.

Previously, to receive the rebates, taxpayers would have had to file returns for the prior years. Refunds were allocated based on individual tax form instructions, either by direct deposit or mailed check.

HB 1199, in addition to aligning Georgia's tax code with federal law, could save drivers money at the gas pumps for two months.

The current excise tax is 33.3 cents per gallon and 37.3 cents per gallon of diesel. The average price was $3.79 for regular gas and $5.25 for diesel Friday, according to AAA.

Kemp's office said the change in gas prices should begin in a matter of days or weeks once retailers receive new fuel shipments.