Inflation refund checks are arriving in New York — here’s who’s eligible

If you are a New York State resident in 2023 and have not yet received a check, you may be eligible for an inflation recovery payment this month.

These one-time checks, amounting to either $150 or $200 for single nominees, or $300 or $400 for married couples filing jointly, will be sent to eligible recipients through November.

Gov. Kathy Hochul first announced these checks in May as a way to recover the costs of inflation to residents. The money comes from the state’s sales tax revenue, which has grown as inflation has increased, increasing the cost of goods and services.

“Starting in October, more than 8 million New Yorkers will receive an inflation refund because it’s simple — this is your money and we’re going to put it back in your pocket,” Gov. Hochul said in May.

Nearly 8.2 million New York State households are expected to receive checks. The areas with the largest numbers of recipients are New York City (3.5 million), Long Island (1.25 million), and Mid-Hudson (924,000).

Who is eligible to receive the check?

These checks will be automatically sent to eligible New York residents. Whether you get a check depends on your income from the 2023 tax year, your residency status at that time (part-time residents are not eligible), and whether you are considered dependent on someone else’s tax return.

To qualify, you must have filed Form IT-201, an income tax return for New York State residents, for the 2023 tax year.

These checks will be mailed to the address on your most recent tax return.

“You may receive your check sooner or later from your neighbors, as mailings are not based on zip code or area,” states the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance. “We cannot provide a specific delivery schedule, and our call center representatives will not have additional information about the status of your check.”