Stimulus Checks: Which states are sending out payments in August

Last week, after lawmakers failed to reach an agreement, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker’s plan to send out a $250 tax rebate check collapsed. However, because of a mysterious voter referendum, locals will probably still receive a payout.

The 1986 statute stipulates that any surplus must be paid back to taxpayers once state tax revenue reaches a specific level. Although Baker’s office predicted that people would receive a 7 percent refund of their 2021 income taxes, the exact amount is still unknown.

Massachusetts is just one of many states offering tax breaks and stimulus checks to combat rampant inflation and the looming threat of a recession: Florida is lining up $450 inflation relief payments for qualified families, and California is offering a “middle-class tax refund” worth up to $1,050.

At least 18 states have sent out checks or are in the process of doing so. Continue reading to learn which ones will be making payments in August and how much eligible taxpayers can anticipate receiving.

Check out plans for nationwide child tax credits, as well as nationwide gas rebate checks and gas tax holidays, for more information on economic relief.

California

Inflation relief checks will be distributed to millions of Californians, with married couples with children receiving up to $1,050.

Direct deposits or debit cards will be used to distribute the payments, which will be made from California’s $97 billion budget surplus. The first payments could be made as early as October.

The amount residents will receive depends on their household size, tax-filing status, and income.

• Couples filing jointly who make less than $150,000 annually and single taxpayers making less than $75,000 annually will each receive $350, plus an additional $350 if they have any dependents. Therefore, a married couple with kids could get as much as $1,050.
• Couples earning between $150,000 and $250,000 annually and single filers making between $75,000 and $125,000 annually will each receive $250, plus an additional $250 if they have any dependents. Therefore, a family with kids might get a total of $700.
• Couples filing jointly and individuals filing separately with incomes between $125,000 and $250,000 would each receive $200. A family with kids in this category could get up to $600.

Couples earning a combined $500,000 and single taxpayers making $250,000 or more are not eligible for the payments.

Virginia

Virginians will receive one-time checks this fall after legislation passed the General Assembly in July: Individual filers will receive $250, while married couples who file jointly will receive $500. Direct deposit and mailed checks will be used to send payments.

The Virginia Department of Taxation estimates that residents who filed by July 1 should get their refund by October 31. To receive a check, your state taxes must be filed by November 1st.

Colorado

Residents of the state who submitted their 2021 tax return by June 30 will receive a check for $750 by September 30; joint filers will receive $1,500.

Those who requested an extension and submitted their paperwork by the Oct. 17 deadline will be refunded by Jan. 31, 2023.

South Carolina

Beginning in late November or December 2022, South Carolina taxpayers will begin receiving income tax refund checks in the amount of up to $800.

Any resident who paid taxes will be given a refund, up to an upper limit of $800 per filing, with the amount rising in accordance with their tax liability. According to The Center Square, which includes 33 percent of taxpayers, those who paid $800 or less will receive a full refund.

Whether you filed individually or jointly, rebates are being given out per person. About 44% of South Carolina residents, who did not pay income taxes, won’t be getting a check.

Delaware

The Delaware Relief Rebate Program, a $300 stimulus check sent to residents who filed their 2020 tax returns, was approved by Gov. John Carney in a bill that was signed into law in April.

If you filed jointly, you will each be entitled to one of the payments, which began to be distributed in May.

Pennsylvania

A massive $121.7 million payout made possible by the Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program began to be distributed to more than 260,000 elderly homeowners, renters, and individuals with disabilities in July.

Before the new deadline of December 31, 2022, eligible residents should go to the MyPath website or submit a paper application. Payments will be made via check or direct deposit.

According to the Department of Revenue, the maximum standard rebate is $650, but additional rebates for qualified homeowners can raise that amount to $975.

By entering your Social Security number, birthdate, and the year you are claiming for into the Where’s My Rebate? tool provided by the state government, you can find out the status of your rebate.

Florida

According to Republican Governor Ron DeSantis, nearly 60,000 Florida families received one-time payments of $450 per child “to offset the costs of rising inflation, especially with a new school year approaching.”

Families must be Temporary Assistance for Needy Families recipients, foster parents, relative or non-relative caregivers, or Guardianship Assistance Program participants in order to be eligible.

The benefit has already been automatically mailed to those who qualify; you don’t need to apply. Checks should have arrived in time for Florida’s “back to school” sales-tax holiday, which runs from July 25 to August 7. This is according to the Florida Department of Children and Families.

New York

About 3 million New York state residents began receiving property tax rebates of up to $1,050 in June.

The average household income in New York City is $425.

The New York State Department of Taxation and Finance website has information on eligibility, but those who are eligible should have received a check automatically by the end of June.

Georgia

A law allowing refunds to taxpayers who submitted their state returns for both 2020 and 2021 was signed by Governor Brian Kemp in March. In May, heads of households received $375, married couples filing jointly received $500, and single taxpayers received $250.

A smaller rebate may have been given to partial-year residents, people who pay little or no income taxes, or people who owe money in the form of taxes, child support, or other obligations.

According to the Department of Revenue’s website, most residents who submitted their 2021 state return by April 18 should receive theirs by early August. The Department of Revenue began issuing rebates in May.

New Mexico

All taxpayers will receive a refundable income tax rebate from the Land of Enchantment, worth $500 for single filers and $1,000 for joint filers, heads of household, and surviving spouses.

The payments were split into two checks, the first of which was issued in June and the second of which will be issued in August. However, some residents are still awaiting their initial checks.

The rebates are automatically given to eligible taxpayers who have filed their 2021 income taxes or will do so before May 1, 2023, via direct deposit or paper check.

The New Mexico Human Services Department also offers financial assistance to New Mexicans who do not file income taxes, but the available funds are limited to $20 million, and payments are made on a first-come, first-served basis.

Individual taxpayers who filed tax returns individually and made less than $75,000 were already given $250 rebates by the state in July.

Hawaii

Residents will receive a $300 tax rebate this year if their combined income was under $200,000 or $100,000 in 2021. Dependents are also eligible for the rebate.

Couples earning over $200,000 and individuals earning over $100,000 will each receive a one-time payment of $100.

The state Department of Taxation estimates that payments will start to arrive in the mail in late August.

New Jersey

The Affordable New Jersey Communities for Homeowners and Renters (ANCHOR), a $2 billion property tax relief program signed by Governor Phil Murphy at the end of June, is providing property tax rebates to about two million New Jersey households.

Property tax rebates of $1,500 will be given to homeowners making up to $150,000, and $1,000 will be given to those making between $150,000 and $250,000. Renters who make up to $150,000 annually will receive checks for $450.

The rebates will be paid out later than many other states do; according to Jennifer Sciortino, a spokesman for the New Jersey state treasury, it won’t happen until “no later than May 2023,” either by check or direct deposit.

Idaho

A law granting each taxpayer and dependent $75 or 12 percent of their 2020 state income tax return, whichever is greater, was signed by Governor Brad Little in February.

In March, checks started to be issued. Online rebate status reviews are available for residents.

Minnesota

Emergency responders, medical personnel, court personnel, and retail employees are among the frontline workers in Minnesota who are qualified to receive a one-time payment of $750.

The application period for Frontline Worker Pay ended on July 22, 2022. Checks will be sent to approved applicants after that deadline, a processing and verification period, and a 15-day appeals period, which is anticipated to be between August 16 and August 31.

In order to pass a proposed income tax rebate of $1,000 for individuals filing under $165,000 and $2,000 for couples filing under $275,000,Governor Tim Walz has also called for a special session of the legislature.

Republican lawmakers haven’t offered much support to Walz, a member of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party, calling the scheme an election-year gimmick.

At a news conference on July 27, Walz stated, “I think it is absolutely inexcusable that we are sitting on money in the bank of Minnesota and it could go right back to families in cash right now.”

Illinois

With effect as of July 1, Illinois’ estimated $1.83 billion relief package includes income and property tax rebates as well as a temporary reduction in a number of sales taxes.

Individuals with incomes under $200,000 in 2021 will be eligible for a $50 income tax credit, while married couples filing jointly and making less than $400,000 will be eligible for a $100 credit. Additionally, filers are permitted to make up to three dependents at a rate of $100 per dependent claimed on their 2021 taxes. A family of five could make up to $400 overall.

According to an email from the Illinois Department of Revenue to CNET, Comptroller Susanna Mendoza anticipates beginning check cutting the week of September 12 and finishing distribution about eight weeks later.

The Family Relief Plan by Democratic Governor J.B. Pritzker also includes a number of tax holidays and rebates, such as a suspension of the state’s grocery sales tax from July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2023, and a permanent increase of the earned income credit from 18% to 20% of the federal credit.

Massachusetts

Gov. Charlie Baker’s plans for a one-time $250 rebate fell through, but the state is still likely to return to taxpayers more than $2.5 billion in excess tax revenue.

According to Massachusetts law, state tax revenue growth is only allowed to keep pace with wages and salaries; any excess must be returned to taxpayers. Although the exact amount is unknown, Baker stated that “we think the number’s probably north of $2.5 billion,” according to WGBH. According to Baker, residents would receive a 7 percent refund of their 2021 state income tax payment.

That amounts to about $250 for a person making $75,000, which is what Baker originally intended to send.

The State Auditor has until September 20 to determine whether there is, in fact, a surplus. After that, the Department of Revenue might begin issuing tax credits.

Indiana

Due to the state’s automatic taxpayer refund law, Hoosiers are eligible for $125 rebates regardless of income.

In May, payments via direct deposit began to be made. Gov. Eric Holcomb stated that printed checks were supposed to be distributed in July but won’t be until August “because the paper supply required was delayed.”

A second round of payments has already been requested by Holcomb, giving taxpayers $225 each or $450 for married couples filing jointly.

The 7 percent state sales tax on electricity, water, gas, internet, and phone bills would be suspended for six months under an alternative plan that Senate Republicans have countered with.

Maine

An $850 direct relief payment is available to Maine taxpayers with adjusted gross incomes under $100,000 who have filed their state tax returns for the year 2021. A single payment of $1,700 will be made to married couples filing jointly.

Checks were expected to arrive before mid-July.