Many states are sending checks to residents

Millions of Americans received stimulus checks from the federal government during the depths of the pandemic. This year, many states have a budget surplus and are using some of it to help taxpayers deal with high inflation.

As many as 20 states — depending on who’s counting — are offering onetime rebates or expanded tax credits. That’s up from just a handful last year, said Richard Auxier, a senior policy associate with the Tax Policy Center.

Some states have already distributed the payments, but others will be sending checks well into next year. You may want to contact your state tax agency to see if you may still be eligible — particularly if you don’t regularly file an income tax return, Auxier said.

Many states can afford to be generous. They have benefited from federal COVID19 relief money and have seen higher tax revenue as their economies have rebounded from pandemic closings. At the same time, high inflation — while easing somewhat recently — continues to burden consumers. That has led states to offer “inflation relief” as well as general tax cuts and expanded sales tax holidays.

“This lets states play Santa Claus,” Auxier said.

The state payments are often smaller than the stimulus checks sent by the federal government in 2020 and 2021 but can be substantial, leading some economists to worry that they could fuel inflation by encouraging spending. New Mexico, for instance, offered up to $ 1,500 in rebates and direct relief. Some residents can file a 2021 state tax return as late as May 31, 2023, and still be eligible for a payment.

Some states, including California, base payments on a taxpayer’s income ( up to $ 250,000 for singles and $ 500,000 for married couples, in 2020). They must have filed a state tax return by Oct. 15, 2021. The state’s “middle- class tax refund” credit ranges from $ 200 to $ 1,050, and payments began in October and are continuing through January.

Still others — such as South Carolina — limit rebates to people who had a tax liability for 2021, meaning people who ended up owing no tax last year won’t get a rebate. The rebates are worth up to $ 800.

Some states have to send rebates. A Massachusetts law requires that tax revenue over the state’s annual tax revenue cap be returned to taxpayers, and a state audit determined that the cap was exceeded. Taxpayers will receive refunds equal to about 14% of their tax bill for 2021. Taxpayers who have already filed their 2021 returns should get their refund by mid- December, according to the state’s website. If you haven’t filed yet, you can still get a refund if you file by Sept. 15, 2023.

New York is paying rebates to homeowners through a new, one- year program based on factors such as income and where they live. The state is also sending checks to families and workers who claim the state’s child tax credit or earned- income tax credit, and the average payment is $ 270, the governor’s office has said.

New Jersey expanded eligibility for property tax rebates with its ANCHOR tax relief program. Residents who owned or rented their main home in the state on Oct. 1, 2019, and had 2019 household income up to $ 250,000 ( for owners) and $ 150,000 ( renters) are eligible. Homeowners will get $ 1,000 or $ 1,500, depending on their income; renters get $ 450. Residents have until Dec. 30 to apply for the credit. ( The rebates are intended as an annual program rather than a onetime offering, said Danielle Currie, a spokesperson for the state’s Treasury Department.)

Other states offering some type of rebate or credit are Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Virginia.

What if I have questions about relief payments in my state?

Tax matters are typically handled by state tax agencies or revenue departments. The Federation of Tax Administrators’ website offers a list of agencies with contact information.