New York will soon send “inflation refund” checks—worth $150 to $400—to taxpayers who filed a 2023 state return, giving households a timely boost without any extra paperwork.
The payments, funded through the 2025‑2026 budget and overseen by the Department of Taxation and Finance, will arrive by mail starting this autumn. Officials estimate over eight million families, especially in Long Island, the Finger Lakes, and New York City, will benefit.
Automatic inflation refunds will reach over eight million low‑ and middle‑income New Yorkers
Sky‑high prices for groceries, utilities, rent, and transit keep squeezing wallets. Rather than make residents hunt down another form, Albany opted for an automatic approach. If your 2023 IT‑201 return is on file and you meet the income rules, your check is already on its way—no application, no deadline chasing. Pretty refreshing, right? Who qualifies?
- Filed a 2023 New York resident return (IT‑201).
- Filed by April 15, 2025.
- Lived in New York for all of 2023.
- Not claimed as someone else’s dependent.
Missed one of those boxes? Unfortunately, the refund will pass you by. Everyone else can simply watch the mailbox.
How much money each household can expect from the mailed inflation refund checks
Below is a quick look at payment tiers:
| Filing status | 2023 adjusted gross income | Check amount |
|---|---|---|
| Single / Head of household | Up to $75,000 | $200 |
| Single / Head of household | $75,001 – $150,000 | $400 |
| Married filing jointly | Up to $150,000 | $400 |
| Married filing jointly | $150,001 – $300,000 | $300 |
| Married filing separately | Same as single tiers | $200 – $400 |
Wondering who pockets the full $400? Couples or single parents earning under the higher thresholds top the list.
Program operates separately from STAR and complements broader 2025‑2026 relief package
Don’t mix this up with the STAR property‑tax break—the two programs run on parallel tracks. The inflation refunds join a wider slate of budget measures that include an expanded child tax credit, free school lunches, and a phased middle‑class income‑tax cut. In short, Albany is betting that direct cash plus targeted credits will keep local economies humming.
Expect an envelope, not an application. As long as your 2023 return is in and you meet the income caps, the state will do the heavy lifting. Use the extra dollars to handle essentials, pay down a bill, or maybe catch a small break at the pump. Either way, it’s money you don’t have to ask for—finally.