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NY is mailing out 'inflation refund' checks. Here's how much money you should expect — and when.
By
Jon Campbell
Published May 7, 2025
Modified May 14, 2025
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Susan Watts/Office of Governor Kathy Hochul
By
Jon Campbell
Published May 7, 2025
Modified May 14, 2025
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If you live in New York, there’s a good chance the state is going to send you a check.
Gov. Kathy Hochul and state lawmakers have agreed to send what they’re calling “inflation refund” checks to more than three-quarters of state tax filers later this year. It’s part of a tentative $254 billion budget agreement lawmakers are set to begin voting on later this week.
An estimated 8.2 million filers will be eligible for checks of up to $400, according to the state's budget division. It’ll cost New York an estimated $2 billion.
As of Tuesday afternoon, Hochul and lawmakers had not yet released the exact bill language for the program. But the budget division provided Gothamist with a list of eligibility requirements that are expected to be in the final spending plan.
Here’s how to figure out how much money you’re set to get.
Who is eligible?
People who were New York residents and filed a state income tax return for 2023 are eligible, depending on how much money they made, according to the budget division. (Note: Most people filed their 2023 returns last year.)
Individuals who had a state adjusted gross income, or AGI, of $150,000 or less for 2023 will get a check, along with joint filers who made $300,000 or less. You can find your AGI on line 33 of New York state form IT-201, the main resident income tax form.
Anybody who made more than that or was claimed as a dependent will not be eligible.
How much are the checks worth?
Anywhere from $150 to $400, depending on filing status and income, according to the budget division.
An individual filer who had a state adjusted gross income of $75,000 or less will get $200. Someone who made $75,000.01 to $150,000 will get $150.
For joint filers, those who had a state adjusted gross income of less than $150,000 will get $400. Those who made $150,000.01 to $300,000 will get $300.
What do I have to do to receive the check?
Nothing.
The state Department of Taxation and Finance will automatically send out the checks based on your already-filed 2023 tax returns, according to the budget division. You won’t have to fill out a form or anything like that; it’ll show up at your address.
Why is this based on the 2023 tax returns?
Because it’s the most recent, most complete data the state has on its income tax filers.
There’s a lag when you file your taxes. When you filed your return this year, for example, it was based on your income and tax payments from 2024.
Tax Day was April 15, but many people filed for an extension. That means there’s still people who haven’t filed their 2024 taxes — leaving the data incomplete.
When can I expect to get my check in the mail?
Hochul's office says the checks will start going out in October, with deliveries continuing through November. Eligible residents do not need to apply or register to receive a check.
This story has been updated with additional information.
Tagged
new york state
Kathy Hochul
economy
Politics
inflation
Jon Campbell
Jon Campbell covers the New York State Capitol for WNYC and Gothamist. Prior to that, he covered the Capitol for more than a decade for the USA TODAY Network. He has twice earned the Walter T. Brown Memorial Award, an honor given annually by the Legislative Correspondents Association alumni for outstanding state government coverage. Jon grew up in the Buffalo area and graduated from the University at Albany. Got a tip? Email Jon at [email protected] or Signal at JonCampbellNY.90.
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