More than 8 million New Yorkers are expected to receive inflation refund checks starting in mid-October 2025. But if your address is outdated—or if you’re assuming a direct deposit—your payment could be delayed.
The checks are part of a one-time relief effort under the 2025–2026 New York State budget. Eligible residents will automatically receive payments in the mail, but confusion around eligibility and distribution has already started to surface.
Most common reasons your refund might be delayed
According to the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance, payments will be mailed, not direct deposited—even if you previously received tax refunds electronically. That’s a critical difference many taxpayers may overlook.
Other key reasons your check could be delayed:
- You’ve moved since filing your 2023 tax return but haven’t updated your address.
- You didn’t file a 2023 New York resident tax return (Form IT-201).
- You were claimed as a dependent on another person’s return.
- You no longer live in New York, or you were a part-year resident in 2023.
Who qualifies for a refund?
To qualify for a payment, you must meet three basic conditions based on your 2023 tax filing:
- Filed a full-year resident return (Form IT-201).
- Reported income within specified thresholds.
- Were not claimed as a dependent.
Refund amounts by income and filing status:
| Filing Status | Income Range | Refund Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Single | $75,000 or less | $200 |
| $75,001–$150,000 | $150 | |
| Married filing jointly | $150,000 or less | $400 |
| $150,001–$300,000 | $300 | |
| Married filing separately | $75,000 or less | $200 |
| $75,001–$150,000 | $150 | |
| Head of household | $75,000 or less | $200 |
| $75,001–$150,000 | $150 | |
| Qualified surviving spouse | $150,000 or less | $400 |
| $150,001–$300,000 | $300 |
Don’t expect a deposit—watch your mailbox
Unlike typical tax refunds, these inflation checks will not be electronically deposited—even if that’s how you received your tax refund earlier this year. All payments will arrive by mail and will not follow a strict schedule or ZIP code order.
What you can do now:
- Update your address with the NYS Tax Department if you’ve moved since filing.
- Check your 2023 return (Form IT-201, line 33) to confirm your Adjusted Gross Income and eligibility.
- Don’t call the Tax Department about your check status—representatives won’t have delivery timelines.
What happens next?
Check mailings begin mid-October 2025, and the process will take several weeks due to volume. If you qualify and your mailing address is up to date, there’s nothing else you need to do.
For continued updates, follow the NYS Department of Taxation and Finance and check back here for future developments.
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