NYS to begin mailing tax rebate checks on Friday; amounts range from $150 to $400

ALBANY — The state will begin mailing tax rebate checks Friday to about 8 million New Yorkers, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced.

The "inflation rebate" checks stem from a budget surplus the state enjoyed last year. The check amounts range from $150 to $400, based on income, and there is an income cap on eligibility. These payments are separate from the School Tax Relief (STAR) checks some households will receive this fall.

"Starting today, we’re sending inflation refund checks to over 8 million New Yorkers because it's simple — this is your money and we're putting it back in your pockets," Hochul said in a statement.

The state had a surplus of $3 billion during the 2024-25 fiscal year, largely due to "unanticipated revenue because of inflation," the governor said previously. The payments were approved by Hochul and the State Legislature last spring.

After the Trump administration in July cut funds being sent to New York, some raised the prospect of canceling the inflation-rebate checks. But in August, the governor said they would go out as scheduled.

To be eligible, a person must have filed a 2023 state income tax return and cannot be claimed as a dependent on someone else’s return.

The scheduled payments are:

• $400 to joint filers with up to $150,000 income.
• $300 to joint filers who earned between $150,000 to $300,000.
• $200 to single filers with up to $75,000 income.
• $150 to single filers who earned more than $75,000 but less than $150,000.

An estimated 1.25 million Long Islanders are expected to get a check.

According to the administration: "Filers do not need to do anything to receive an inflation refund check. If you filed a tax return, are below the income thresholds, and no one else claimed you as a dependent, you will receive a check."

By Yancey Roy

yancey.roy@newsday.com@yanceyroy