New York state has begun mailing out the state’s first ever inflation refund checks as part of its initiative to offer financial relief to New Yorkers who have paid increased sales taxes due to inflation.
According to the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance, over 8 million eligible taxpayers from the state will receive refunds pertaining to tax year 2023. All taxpayers who qualify for the refund, are not required to apply separately, and will automatically get their refunds.
Who is eligible for the refund and who isn’t? Here’s a glimpse at all the major queries
New York State inflation refund check: Are you eligible?
Any taxpayer who meets the following criteria is eligible for a refund check for the year 2023:
- filed Form IT-201, New York State Resident Income Tax Return, which is filed by full-year New York residents,
- reported income within the qualifying ranges,
- was not claimed as a dependent on another taxpayer’s returns
How to apply for the refund check?
There is no need to apply for the refund check. Any taxpayer who is eligible for the refund, will receive the check from the State Department of Taxation and Finance.
Here’s what the inflation refund check looks like:
What amount will be refunded?
The refund amount depends on the respective taxpayer’s income and the filing status as follows:
When, where will the check be sent?
All the inflation refund checks will be mailed to the most current address of each taxpayer, which is usually the person’s address from the most recently filed federal tax returns.
The New York State Department began mailing the checks towards the end of September 2025. Although the department has not mentioned any specific schedule, it stated that taxpayers are likely to receive the checks sooner or later than their neighbours, as mailings are not based on zip code or region.
Are the refund checks taxable?
Yes, the checks will be taxed by the IRS – and all taxpayers receiving an inflation refund check and will have to declare the refund amount on their 2025 federal tax return.
