Lawmakers Consider Rebate Plan For Taxpayers

RALEIGH, N.C. – North Carolina taxpayers could see some extra money in their pockets, as lawmakers are discussing a rebate plan.

It’s been many years since state lawmakers issued a rebate to taxpayers. Senate leader Phil Berger said it does not appear likely this year either. Although, budget writers have discussed it. 

He said he asked his staff how much it would cost for a $1,000 rebate to each taxpayer or each household. 

“The amount that would be necessary to do something like that, to have what I consider to be a significant, measurable amount – not $100 or $150 – is probably gonna be more than it would be practical for us to deal with,” Berger said.

Back in 2019, Republican legislative leaders proposed a rebate of $125 per person. That year, however, they had a budget standoff with Democratic Governor Roy Cooper. So, the rebate never happened.

This year, the state has a $1.4 billion dollar budget surplus, but some of that has already been committed. Republican legislative leaders have already agreed to set aside about $500 million to expand the school voucher program.

That leaves about a $111 rebate for every adult in North Carolina.

“We’re looking at it, but I don’t think there would be an interest in doing it unless the amount we can send out would be an amount that would make a difference,” Berger said.