This fall, more than 8 million households across New York—including over half a million in the Finger Lakes region—will receive inflation refund checks worth up to $400, with no application required.
The state’s fiscal year 2026 budget includes payments that return surplus sales tax revenue directly to residents to help with rising living costs. Officials will begin mailing checks in October and continue through November.
Refunds range from $150 to $400, depending on income
Eligibility is based on 2023 New York State income tax returns. To qualify, residents must have:
- Filed Form IT-201 (Resident Income Tax Return),
- Reported income below the stated thresholds, and
- Not been claimed as a dependent on another return.
Here is the breakdown of payment amounts:
- $400: Joint filers with income up to $150,000
- $300: Joint filers with income between $150,001 and $300,000
- $200: Single filers with income up to $75,000
- $150: Single filers with income between $75,001 and $150,000
There are no age restrictions. Residents do not need to apply or sign up—the checks will be sent automatically.
Finger Lakes among regions receiving over 500K checks
The Finger Lakes region will see approximately 513,000 households receive checks, part of the 8.2 million recipients statewide. Other regional numbers include:
- New York City: 3.53 million
- Long Island: 1.25 million
- Mid-Hudson: 924,000
- Western New York: 585,000
- Capital Region: 475,000
- Central New York: 321,000
- Southern Tier: 251,000
- Mohawk Valley: 198,000
- North Country: 156,000
Part of broader economic relief package
Governor Kathy Hochul, who secured the initiative in the latest state budget, framed the checks as part of a wider effort to combat the cost of living. The budget also includes:
- The lowest middle-class tax rates in 70 years
- An expanded child tax credit of up to $1,000 per child
- Universal free school meals for public school students
“This is your money, and we’re putting it back in your pockets,” Hochul said. “I’ll never stop fighting to help your family address the rising cost of living.”
State lawmakers echoed the sentiment, emphasizing that the refunds reflect a budget designed around working families, not corporate interests.
What happens next
Checks will be mailed beginning in October, but delivery dates may vary by household. There is no mailing order by ZIP code or region. For more information and to check eligibility details, residents can visit ny.gov/inflationrefund.
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