MILLIONS of cash-strapped Americans will be in line for a one-time check worth up to $500 as part of a new relief initiative.
And, officials have revealed payments could land in bank accounts in just a matter of weeks.
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The checks have been described as a special refund and the total package is a whopping $1 billion.
And, the relief program is now a reality thanks to a $16 billion budget surplus.
The relief package was first proposed in October but was signed into law earlier this week.
This means single taxpayers will be able to pocket $250, while joint tax filers will pocket $500.
Heads of households are in line to pocket a $375 check under the terms of the relief program.
The program affects taxpayers in Georgia and officials estimate that the payment could land in bank accounts by early June, as reported by WABE.
Payments will also be sent to taxpayers in the mail.
But, the checks are not automatic. Residents have to take action before receiving their checks.
Americans must file their taxes for the years 2023 and 2024.
Residents in Georgia were given a May 1 extension to file their taxes because of the impact of Hurricane Helene.
Americans in Florida, North Carolina and Alabama also must file taxes by May 1.
Some taxpayers may have requested another extension, which means the deadline is October 15.
Americans must live in Georgia or have lived in the state for at least part of the year in order to be eligible for the payment.
And, the third criteria taxpayers must meet is that they must’ve had a tax liability for 2023.
Brian Kemp, the Georgia governor, revealed why checks are being issued.
He warned that families across the state were “hurting” by the policies of the previous federal government.
“Inflation may have fallen, but high prices are still here and weighing down hardworking Georgians every time they go to the grocery store, the gas pump, and so many other places in our daily lives,” he said in October.
The idea of a one-time rebate has been welcomed by locals.
“Amazing, amazing. Coming from a small town in Hinesville, Georgia, good to know someone is looking out for us as Americans, we’re good,” Steven Williams told the CBS affiliate WTOC-TV.
OTHER REBATES
Once the payments start to be issued, it will be the third year in a row that Georgia has provided rebates.
Meanwhile, officials in Washington state are inviting locals to claim rebates up to $1,200 as part of an electric bike program.
Applications for the rebate program opened on April 9.
The deadline to file tax returns was April 15 and bosses at the Internal Revenue Service warned Americans were at risk of missing out on payments worth up to $1,400.
The checks dated back to the third round of stimulus relief issued in 2021.
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