'Meant to be flexible': How can NY residents spend their inflation refund check
NEW YORK (PIX11) – In mid-October 2025, New Yorkers will soon receive the state’s first-ever inflation refund checks.
Pay-outs are expected to be anywhere from $150 - $400.
What can you use your inflation check for?
“The checks are intended to provide relief for New Yorkers who have paid increased sales tax due to inflation, said a spokesperson from the Governor's office. “They are meant to be flexible, allowing New Yorkers to put the money toward things that make the most sense for them.”
That means whether that’s groceries, bills, healthcare, or anything else that works for you, you can spend your inflation check.
How do you know you’re eligible?
You are eligible for New York’s inflation refund check if:
- filed Form IT-201, New York State Resident Income Tax Return;
- reported income within the qualifying income brackets; and
- were not claimed as a dependent on another taxpayer’s return.
To find out the pay scale of the inflation check, click here.
When will I get my check?
As previously reported by PIX11 News, you can expect them as soon as October, according to the state’s Department of Taxation and Finance.
How will the check look?
The check should resemble the image below, according to the New York Department of Taxation and Finance.
Matthew Euzarraga is a multimedia journalist from El Paso, Texas. He has covered local news and LGBTQIA topics in the New York City Metro area since 2021. He joined the PIX11 Digital team in 2023. You can see more of his work here.