Georgia DOR to begin processing 2020 Individual Income Tax Returns on February 12

The Georgia Department of Revenue (DOR) will begin processing 2020 individual income tax returns on Friday, February 12, 2021, in conjunction with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).  In 2020, the Department processed over 4.9 million individual income tax returns with an average processing time of just over 5 days for an electronically filed, error-free return. DOR works diligently to be as efficient as possible in processing returns and issuing refunds while maintaining the highest levels of security to protect confidential taxpayer information and state tax dollars.  Most error-free, electronically filed returns are processed within 5 business days of receiving the return and most refunds are issued within 21 days from the date a taxpayer files their return.  All first-time Georgia income tax filers, or taxpayers who have not filed in Georgia for at least five years, will receive their refund in the form of a paper check.  The filing deadline to submit 2020 individual income tax returns is Thursday, April 15, 2021.