New York State will begin sending out $400 inflation refund checks in mid-October, offering relief to millions of residents facing rising prices. These payments come from a provision in the 2025–2026 state budget and aim to offset the impact of elevated sales taxes driven by inflation.
No application required for the inflation rebate
Eligible taxpayers do not need to apply. The New York State Department of Taxation and Finance will automatically issue checks based on the information from your 2023 state income tax return (Form IT-201).
To qualify, you must meet the following requirements:
- Filed a New York State Resident Income Tax Return for 2023
- Reported income within the eligible range
- Were not claimed as a dependent on someone else’s tax return
How much money will you receive?
Your refund depends on your 2023 income and filing status:
Married filing jointly or qualified surviving spouse
- $150,000 or less → $400
- $150,001–$300,000 → $300
Single, head of household, or married filing separately
- $75,000 or less → $200
- $75,001–$150,000 → $150
When will the checks arrive?
The state will start mailing checks in mid-October 2025. However, this is a large-scale distribution involving more than 8 million payments. The mailing process will take several weeks to complete.
What you should know:
- The mailing order does not follow zip codes or regions
- No direct deposit—all payments will be issued by paper check
- Contact center representatives won’t have delivery status updates
- Your check will arrive at the address used on your latest tax return
Recently moved? Take action now
If you’ve changed your address since filing your 2023 taxes, update your information with the Department of Taxation and Finance immediately. This step helps prevent delays or lost checks.
Why is New York issuing these payments?
These inflation refund checks are part of the state’s efforts to ease the financial strain caused by inflation. Lawmakers introduced the payments to help residents who’ve felt the burden of higher prices—particularly through increased sales taxes on everyday goods.
The initiative marks the first time New York has offered inflation relief checks tied directly to sales tax impacts.
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