According to Governor Kathy Hochul, New York State has now sent more than 8.2 million inflation refund checks to residents across the state.
Governor Hochul secured the Inflation Refund Check Initiative in the FY 2026 state budget, setting aside $2.2 billion to help New Yorkers manage rising costs. Checks worth up to $400 have been sent to eligible taxpayers in the past two months.
why it matters
The move is one of a series of initiatives taken by the Governor aimed at addressing the state’s affordability crisis. These also include middle class tax cuts, an expansion of the child tax credit, and free school meals.
what to know
Eligibility for the refund is tied to 2023 state tax returns. Residents must have filed their own taxes for that year and cannot be listed as a dependent on someone else’s return. People who file late may still qualify after their return is processed. Payments also vary by income, with the goal of providing more assistance to people with low or moderate incomes.
A single filer earning up to $75,000 in 2023 will receive $200. Single filers making more than $75,000, but not more than $150,000, are likely to receive $150. Joint filers – which also includes qualifying surviving spouses – get the highest amount: $400 for couples earning $150,000 or less, and $300 for couples earning more than $150,000, but not more than $300,000.
Every borough of New York has received money, and more than 8.21 million residents have received their share of just over $2 billion. New York City saw the largest share: 3,536,000 people received checks totaling $828.8 million.
Millions of people in other areas have received checks, including 924,000 recipients in the Mid-Hudson region and payments of $234.2 million, and 1,251,000 people in Long Island who have received $316.4 million. 585,000 beneficiaries in Western New York received $152.7 million, while the Capital Region received $122.8 million from 475,000 recipients. At the southern level, $66.7 million has been distributed to 251,000 residents and in the north, $42.4 million has been distributed to 156,000 residents.
Where is my inflation check?
If you’re eligible for the payment, you don’t need to do anything; The state will automatically send you a check. While most have already gone out, officials say smaller batches will continue in the coming weeks as more people are confirmed eligible.
Checks are automatically sent to your registered home address.
“Inflation refund checks will be mailed to the most current address the Department has on file for you, usually the address on your most recently filed tax return,” the state tax department said. “Although eligibility is based on your 2023 tax return, the Department will mail your check to the most recently updated address. For example, if you moved after filing your 2023 return, but you filed your 2024 return with your new address, your check will be mailed to the address used on the most recent 2024 tax return.”
New York has also issued a warning regarding scams related to inflation testing. The tax department has said it is not reaching out to taxpayers about refund cheques. No additional information or application is required to receive your payment.
what people are saying
Governor Kathy Hochul said in a press release issued on November 25: “Today marks the first day that more than 8.2 million inflation refund checks have been mailed, putting money back in the pockets of individuals across the state. We have followed through on our commitment to provide meaningful relief to hard-working New Yorkers, and will continue every day to look for additional opportunities to address the nation’s ongoing affordability challenge.”
what happens next
“Checks will continue to be sent in small numbers in the coming weeks as the state Tax Department determines whether additional taxpayers are eligible,” Hochul’s office said.
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