More than 120,000 taxpayers have received $1.8 million in state gas tax credits.

Recent SC Department of Revenue data shows the credits are far less than the $40 million cap lawmakers set for the credit’s 1st year.

The gas tax credit went into effect in January 2018 to offset lawmakers’ gas tax hike.

The 2 cent a gallon increase began July 1, 2017, and will increase by the same amount every year on July 1 until 2022.

The $1.8 million in credits was claimed in 77,744 returns.

The credits amount to 4.5% of the 2018 cap, which increases in 2019 to $65 million.

The average credit per return was $23.65, while the average per taxpayer was $15.21.

The average credit is expected to rise next year because of the increased motor fuel user fee that goes into effect this summer.

Visit https://dor.sc.gov/about/forms to learn more.