New York state plans to send out its first-ever "inflation relief" rebate checks to taxpayers starting this fall, part of a plan from Gov. Kathy Hochul to put a little cash back into people's pockets with the cost of living so high.
The one-time payments initially were proposed to be up to $500, though the legislature-backed plan cuts that a bit. Opponents of the rebate check had advocated in favor of a more robust "Rainy Day Fund" for the state.
The rebate checks, which Hochul indicated in December she was pursuing, are intended to provide relief to New Yorkers who have paid increased sales taxes due to inflation. You're eligible if you filed a New York tax return in 2023 and you don't have to do anything at all. The state says you should automatically receive a check.
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WATCH HEREChecks will be mailed over several weeks beginning in the fall of 2025. Think October, November timeline.
Here's what to know about eligibility and amounts, according to the state.
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SIGN UP Am I eligible for an NY inflation refund check?
You are eligible if, for tax year 2023, you:
- filed Form IT-201, New York State Resident Income Tax Return;
- reported income within the qualifying thresholds below; and
- were not claimed as a dependent on another taxpayer’s return.
How much money will I get?
The amount of your refund check depends on your income and filing status for the 2023 tax year. See the two tables below for details on the income ranges.
| Filing status | 2023 NY adjusted gross income | Refund amount |
| Single | $75,000 or less | $200 |
| Married filing joint | $150,000 or less | $400 |
| Married filing separate | $75,000 or less | $200 |
| Head of household | $75,000 or less | $200 |
| Qualified surviving spouse | $150,000 or less | $400 |
| Filing status | 2023 NY adjusted gross income | Refund amount |
| Single | $75,000+ to $150,000 | $150 |
| Married filing joint | $150,000+ to $300,000 | $300 |
| Married filing separate | $75,000+ to $150,000 | $150 |
| Head of household | $75,000+ to $150,000 | $150 |
| Qualified surviving spouse | $150,000+ to $300,000 | $300 |
When will I get my check?
Local
Payments start going out this fall, likely in October and November. The payments will go out to about 8.6 million people in the state.
Your check may arrive earlier or later than your neighbors, as mailings are not based on zip code or region. The state says it cannot provide a specific delivery schedule, its reps will not be able to provide additional status information.
Watch your mailbox for a check that looks like this, the state says:
Who is paying for this?
The program is funded by a pool of excess sales tax revenues that have been mostly generated through inflation's effect on consumer goods, according to the governor's office.
