New York State has begun sending inflation refund checks to more than 8 million eligible residents, which many are comparing to the post-pandemic federal stimulus checks. Well, they’re not the same, because those payments were funded through issuance (which generated inflation), and NY’s inflation refunds are paid for with excess tax revenue.
Celebrated by Governor Kathy Hochul as “historic relief” to offset inflation-driven sales tax hikes, this program marks the first initiative of its kind in state history. Let’s tame a look at how are these stimulus checks working and what to expect from them.
Tax refunds on the way for millions of New Yorkers
The official announcement came on September 26, when Hochul announced that the checks would begin circulating immediately, with continued shipments through October and November.
“These payments are a direct recognition of New Yorkers who have faced higher costs on everything from groceries to gas, thanks to inflation that has driven record state sales tax revenue,” the governor said at a press conference in Albany a few weeks ago.
According to data from the state Department of Revenue, inflation during the 2023 fiscal year has generated billions of dollars in additional revenue, and now, a portion is returning to taxpayers’ pockets.
The ligibility is simple and automatic for New Yorkers
To qualify, you just need to have filed Form IT 201, a New York resident’s income tax return, for tax year 2023, not have been claimed as a dependent on another return, and have adjusted gross income within the established limits. For singles, the threshold is up to $150,000 annually; for married couples filing jointly, up to $300,000.
The amounts vary depending on the filing status and income level: a single person with an income of $75,000 or less will receive $200, while one with incomes between $75,000 and $150,000 will receive $150. For couples, the amounts rise to $400 if income is $150,000 or less, and $300 at the upper end. No application is required; the state processes everything based on returns already filed.
Other relief measures accompanying stimulus checks in NY
In addition to the inflation-adjusted refund checks arriving in the mailboxes of millions of New Yorkers, the 2025-2026 state budget includes other initiatives aimed at easing the burden of the cost of living in the Big Apple. For example, Governor Kathy Hochul has pushed through a middle-class tax cut that benefits some 8.3 million people, lowering tax rates to their lowest levels in seven decades.
And it doesn’t stop there: the Child Tax Credit expansion increases to up to $1,000 per child under four and $500 for school-age children, starting in 2026, which could be a lifeline for single parents or couples struggling with diapers, daycare, and school bills.
One of the gems of the budget is the free school meals program for all K-12 students, which covers breakfast and lunch at no cost, saving families up to $1,600 per child per year. With all these measures, several thousand dollars will go back into the pockets of more than 8 million New York taxpayers.
