Checks up to $400 will be sent by the New York state. Governor Kathy Hochul, has started this measure to help millions of citizens affected by inflation by giving money back to those who have filed their New York State tax return (IT-201) of 2023. This stimulus check program, managed by the New York State Department of Tax and Finance, will benefit more than 8 million families, mostly from Long Island, Finger Lakes and New York City. This refund isn’t a replacement for the STAR program since both work independently.
Other states are also coming up with measures to economically help citizens, and New York is the most recent one to join. So, let’s see what you should do in case you can apply for this benefit.
What’s happening in New York?
Many New Yorkers are dealing with experiencing another increase of basic goods prices such as food, energy, housing and transport. This is why the New York state has decided to send refunds known as ‘’Inflation Refunds’’ to more than 8 million families from this Autumn. This money will come out of the 2025-2026 state budget and it will be used to support mainly low and middle income families.
‘’Inflation Refund’’
This is the stimulus check from the state that will be received by New Yorkers who filed their tar returns of 2023. The amounts range from $150 to $400, depending on the level of income in the house and taxpayer’s marital status.
What’s remarkable about these checks is that you don’t need to apply for them or do any additional paperwork. So, how do you receive them? It’s automatic. If you match the requirements, you will immediately be sent the check by mail, which makes it much easier and prevents people who need it to stay out of the program for missing a date or paper.
Requirements
I know you must be curious to know whether you are eligible for this benefit or not. So, let’s see what requirements you must match:
- To have filed the New York State tax return of 2023 (IT-201 form).
- To have filed that tax return before the 15th of April of 2025.
- To be a New York resident during 2023.
- To not be claimed dependent on another return.
You don’t need to belong to a special program or meet additional criteria, if you match the previously mentioned points, you are eligible for the check.
How much will you receive?
Although this check is automatically sent, the amounts vary depending on the adjusted gross income (AGI) and filing status. Let’s go with what really matters, how much each person will receive:
- Single people or heads of household who earn under $75,000 will receive $200.
- In the case of earning between $75,001 and $150,000 the amount received is $400.
- Marriage couples filing together with AGI lower than $150,000 get $400.
- Those whose income is between $150,001 and $300,000 will get $300.
- For those marriage couples who didn’t file together, the amount received will be the same as for single people.
Importance of this check
This measure is really important to help many people, specifically more than 8 million will benefit from this check. It will also mean the reinforcement of the local economy because the money citizens receive will be probably used for covering basic needs, which could benefit small businesses.
This check and STAR program
Don’t confuse benefits, this check works independently of the STAR program. This stimulus check is part of the New York 2025-2026 fiscal plan, which also includes child tax credit, universal free school lunches in public schools and a gradual income tax cut for the middle class.
There are many benefits you can have access to, but this one is the easiest to receive because you don’t have to do any process, so no deadline will be missed.
