Mail your Georgia tax return to the Georgia Department of Revenue processing center in Atlanta

The mailing address for Georgia individual income tax returns is:

Georgia Department of Revenue Processing Center 4245 International Parkway, Suite 1500 Atlanta, GA 30354

This is the only mailing address the Georgia Department of Revenue uses for individual returns filed by mail. Do not mail to any other address, as it will delay processing. If you are filing a paper return, use this address whether you owe taxes, expect a refund, or are filing to claim a refund you did not receive in a prior year.

The Georgia Department of Revenue also accepts returns filed electronically through approved tax software or through a tax professional. Electronic filing is faster and reduces the chance of errors that trigger follow-up letters.

Key Takeaways

  • Mail paper returns to the Georgia Department of Revenue Processing Center at 4245 International Parkway, Suite 1500, Atlanta, GA 30354.
  • Paper returns typically take four to six weeks to process after arrival, so mail early if you expect a refund.
  • Electronic filing through approved software or a tax professional is faster and reduces processing delays.
  • Include your Social Security number, a signature, and the date on your return, or the Department will reject it and send it back.

When to mail your return and what to expect

The Georgia tax filing important date is April 15 each year, the same as the federal important date. If April 15 falls on a weekend or holiday, the important date moves to the next business day. Mail your return at least one week before the important date to may support it arrives on time; the postmark date counts as your filing date, not the date the Department receives it.

Once the Department receives your return, processing takes four to six weeks if you are owed a refund. If you owe taxes, the Department will send you a bill with payment instructions. If you filed electronically, refunds typically arrive within two to three weeks.

What to include with your mailed return

Your return must include your name, address, Social Security number, and signature. The return must be dated. Attach copies of any forms the Department requires — for example, if you claim the Georgia Education Tax Credit, you must attach the required documentation showing your education expenses.

Do not mail cash. If you owe taxes, the Department will bill you after processing your return. You can pay by check, money order, or electronic transfer when you receive the bill. Include a check or money order only if you are filing a prior-year return and have already received a bill from the Department.

Keep a copy of your return for your records. The Department does not return the original, so you will need your copy if the Department contacts you with questions.

Electronic filing as an alternative to mailing

You can file your Georgia return electronically through the Georgia Department of Revenue's approved software providers or through a tax professional. The Department maintains a list of approved e-file providers on its website. Electronic returns are processed faster and the Department sends confirmation of receipt within 24 hours.

If you file electronically and owe taxes, you can authorize the Department to withdraw the payment directly from your bank account on the date you choose. This avoids the delay of mailing a check and reduces the chance of a late-payment penalty.

What happens if you mail your return to the wrong address

If your return arrives at a Georgia Department of Revenue office other than the Processing Center, staff will forward it to the correct address. This adds one to two weeks to processing time. The postmark date still counts as your filing date, so you will not face a late-filing penalty, but your refund will be delayed.

If you are unsure whether your return arrived, you can contact the Georgia Department of Revenue at 404-656-4293 after four weeks and provide your Social Security number and the amount of your refund or payment. They can tell you whether the return was received and when it was processed.

Special situations: amended returns and prior-year filings

If you need to file an amended Georgia return, use the same mailing address as a current-year return. Write "AMENDED" at the top of the return so the Department knows to replace the original with the new version. Amended returns take six to eight weeks to process.

If you are filing a return for a prior year that you did not file before, mail it to the same address. Include a letter explaining why you are filing late. The Department may assess a penalty for late filing, but filing the return stops interest from continuing to accrue on any taxes owed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I file my Georgia return online instead of mailing it?

Yes. You can file electronically through the Georgia Department of Revenue's approved software providers or through a tax professional. Electronic filing is faster than mailing and you receive confirmation within 24 hours. Visit the Department's website to find approved e-file providers.

What if I mail my return but the postmark is after April 15?

The postmark date is your filing date, not the date the Department receives your return. If the postmark is after April 15, you will owe a late-filing penalty on any taxes due, even if the Department does not receive the return until May. Mail your return at least one week before the important date.

How do I know if the Department received my mailed return?

Paper returns do not generate a receipt. After four weeks, contact the Georgia Department of Revenue at 404-656-4293 with your Social Security number and refund amount or payment amount. They can confirm whether the return was received and processed.

Do I need to mail my federal and Georgia returns to the same address?

No. Your federal return goes to an Internal Revenue Service address that depends on your state and whether you owe taxes. Your Georgia return always goes to the Atlanta Processing Center address listed above. File them separately.

What if I owe taxes — do I send a check with my return?

No. Mail your return without payment. The Department will process it and send you a bill with payment instructions. You can then pay by check, money order, or electronic transfer. If you want to pay when ready, file electronically and authorize an electronic withdrawal from your bank account.