Some U.S. states are dealing with skyrocketing inflation by granting tax discounts and sending stimulus checks to some families. Many of these checks are arriving now in August.
In total, at least 18 states have already issued or will still send payments to their residents. Below is a look at which states these are, how much eligible taxpayers can expect to receive, and when the check is expected to arrive.
California
Millions of Californians will receive stimulus checks. The amount is based on income, tax filing status, and family size. Couples filing jointly with children will receive up to $1,050, for example. Single taxpayers earning $250,000 or more and married couples earning $500,000 combined are not eligible for assistance.
Payments, coming from California’s $97 billion budget surplus, are being issued as direct deposits or debit cards. The first payments will arrive in October.
Colorado
Residents of the state who filed their 2021 tax return by June 30 will receive a $750 check by September 30. Applicants who received an extension and will file by the deadline of October 17 will receive the refund by January 31, 2023.
Delaware
The “Delaware Relief Rebate Program,” a $300 stimulus check, has already been sent to all residents who filed their 2020 tax returns.
Florida
Nearly 60,000 families in Florida received one-time payments of $450 per child “to offset the costs of rising inflation, especially with the approach of a new school year,” according to Republican Governor Ron DeSantis.
But to qualify, families had to meet the following requirements: receive Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, be a foster parent or relative caregiver, or participate in the Guardian Assistance Program.
The benefit was sent automatically to qualified recipients. According to the Florida Department of Children and Families, checks were expected to arrive in time for Florida’s “back-to-school” tax holiday, held from July 25 to August 7.
Georgia
Governor Brian Kemp signed a bill in March authorizing discounts for taxpayers who filed their state returns for 2020 and 2021. Single taxpayers received $250 in May, heads of household received $375, and married couples filing jointly received $500.
Hawaii
Residents earning less than $100,000 in 2021 and couples earning less than $200,000 will receive a $300 tax discount this year. Individuals earning more than $100,000 and couples earning more than $200,000 will receive a one-time payment of $100.
According to the State Department of Taxation, payments are expected to start being mailed out at the end of August.
Idaho
Governor Brad Little signed a bill in February giving $75 to each taxpayer and dependent, or 12% of their 2020 state income tax return, whichever is greater. Checks began to go out in March.
Illinois
Individuals earning less than $200,000 in 2021 will receive a $50 income tax discount, while couples filing jointly with income under $400,000 will receive $100. In total, a family of five can receive up to $400. The state plans to start sending checks the week of September 12.
Indiana
Residents of the state are eligible for $125 discounts, regardless of income. Direct deposit payments began in May. Printed checks were scheduled to be sent in July but are now expected to go out in August. Meanwhile, the state government is considering a second round of payments – giving taxpayers $225 each or $450 for couples filing jointly.
Maine
Taxpayers in Maine who filed their 2021 state tax returns and have an adjusted gross income of less than $100,000 are eligible for a direct payment of $850. Couples filing jointly will receive a one-time payment of $1,700.
Checks were expected to arrive before mid-July.
Massachusetts
Taxpayers are likely to receive more than $2.5 billion in excess state tax revenue. Massachusetts law limits the growth of state tax revenues to match wages and salaries – any excess must be refunded to taxpayers. The state estimates that residents will receive 7% of their 2021 state income tax payment back. For someone earning $75,000, this amounts to about $250.
The State Auditor has until September 20 to calculate the surplus, if any. The Department of Revenue could start issuing tax credits immediately after that.
Massachusetts has already sent $500 stimulus checks to low-income workers during the spring.
Minnesota
Certain frontline workers in Minnesota are eligible to receive a one-time payment of $750. Applications for the Frontline Worker Pay were accepted until July 22, 2022. According to the State Department of Labor and Industry, checks will be sent to qualified applicants after that deadline, between August 16 and 31.
New Jersey
About two million families in New Jersey are receiving property tax discounts. Homeowners earning up to $150,000 will receive a $1,500 discount on their property taxes, and those earning between $150,000 and $250,000 will receive $1,000. Renters earning up to $150,000 will receive $450 checks.
Discounts will arrive by May 2023, either by check or direct deposit.
New Mexico
The state government is issuing a refundable income tax discount for all taxpayers – $500 for individual filers and $1,000 for couples filing jointly. Payments were split into two parts: the first check went out in June and the second in August.
Eligible taxpayers who filed their 2021 income taxes before May 1, 2023, receive the discounts automatically, either by direct deposit or paper check.
New York
In June, about 3 million homeowners in New York state began receiving property tax discounts of up to $1,050.
Those who qualify should have received a check by the end of June, but details about eligibility are available on the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance website.
Pennsylvania
In July, more than 260,000 elderly homeowners, renters, and people with disabilities began receiving part of a massive $121.7 million payment issued through the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program.
The maximum standard discount is $650, but supplemental discounts for qualified homeowners can increase that amount to $975.
South Carolina
Income tax refund checks of up to $800 will be sent to state taxpayers starting in late November or December 2022.
Any resident who paid taxes will receive a discount, with the amount increasing based on their tax liability, up to a limit of $800 per deposit.
Discounts are being issued per person, regardless of whether the taxpayer filed individually or jointly. Those who did not pay income tax – about 44% of the state’s residents – will not receive a check.
Virginia
Taxpayers will receive one-time checks this fall: individual filers will receive $250, while couples filing jointly will receive $500. Payments will be sent by check and direct deposit.