Georgia Senate Approves Tax Cut, $250 Rebate; Measure Heads to Governor Kemp for Final Approval, a resident listed in public arrest records, was taken into custody on April 5, 2025, in Featured County, Georgia. According to the official booking report, the arrest was made by local authorities and the subject was charged with the following offense(s): unspecified charges. This incident was officially recorded and made publicly available by law enforcement agencies in the state of Georgia. The details provided reflect the arrest information at the time of booking and do not indicate guilt or conviction. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
FULTON COUNTY, Ga. – The Georgia Senate has passed two major tax relief measures, now headed to Governor Brian Kemp’s desk for approval. The proposals include a state income tax rebate for the third consecutive year and a reduction in Georgia’s income tax rate.
House Bill 112, which passed both chambers unanimously, will provide rebates of up to $500 to Georgia taxpayers who filed returns in 2023 and 2024. Single filers will receive up to $250, heads of households up to $375, and married couples up to $500. The rebates, limited to the amount paid in state income taxes in 2023, will be distributed automatically.
The rebate is possible thanks to Georgia’s substantial budget surplus, estimated at $11 billion, and continues a trend of direct payments to taxpayers in recent years.
The Senate also approved House Bill 111, which reduces the state’s income tax rate to a flat 5.19%, retroactive to January 1. This builds on a 2022 law that replaced Georgia’s graduated income tax with a flat rate, slated to drop incrementally in the coming years. Governor Kemp has pushed to accelerate that timeline.
If signed into law, the rate reduction would cost the state an estimated $149 million in the current fiscal year and approximately $744 million annually in future years.
Supporters say the move will provide meaningful relief amid high inflation and rising living costs. “Georgians deserve to keep more of what they earn,” said State Sen. Bo Hatchett. “These tax cuts help families and strengthen our state’s economy.”
Democratic lawmakers voiced concerns over the long-term impact. Critics, including State Sen. Elena Parent of Atlanta, argued the tax cuts will disproportionately benefit wealthier households and could divert funds away from crucial state services. A report from the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy backs that claim, indicating that the top 20% of earners would see the most benefit.
Sen. Derek Mallow of Savannah noted that the money lost to tax cuts could have gone toward childcare, education, and other vital programs.
Still, Republican leaders say Georgia’s strong fiscal position supports both tax relief and investment in essential services. Governor Kemp’s office projects the accelerated tax cut will save Georgians $7.5 billion over the next decade, while boosting economic development.
The governor is expected to sign both measures into law soon.
Disclaimer: All data provided here is taken from public arrest records. This publication does not imply guilt or final conviction.
More Arrests in Featured on April 5, 2025
No other arrests found on this date in Featured.
