New York state has mailed out more than 8 million “inflation relief” rebate checks to taxpayers over the past two months, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced this week.
The first-ever program was part of a plan from the governor to put a little cash back into pockets given cost of living increases. The one-time payments range from $150 to $400 based on tax filing status.
“We followed through on our commitment to deliver meaningful relief to hard-working New Yorkers, and will continue to look for additional opportunities to deal with the nation’s ongoing affordability challenge,” Hochul said Tuesday.
The rebate checks, which Hochul indicated in December she was pursuing, were intended to provide relief to New Yorkers who have paid increased sales taxes due to inflation. You were eligible if you filed a New York tax return in 2023.
Checks started going out through the mail in October and continued into November. The majority of the checks have been delivered, but any remaining checks should be getting to New Yorkers in the coming weeks.
Here’s what to know about eligibility and amounts, according to the state.
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?
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.
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