Marina
This fall, New York residents may be eligible for two simultaneous stimulus-style direct payments courtesy of state relief programs designed to help ease the burden of rising costs and high property taxes.
The two initiatives — the inflation refund check and the longtime homeowner program known as the School Tax Relief (STAR) Program — are being distributed this year to millions of households. Here’s a complete breakdown of what each program offers, who qualifies, when you’ll get paid, and what you should do now.
Program 1: Inflation Refund Check
The first of the two payments targets residents who filed a 2023 tax return and meets income thresholds. This is the first time New York has deployed an inflation refund of this kind.
Key Details
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Name of program | Inflation Refund Check |
| Eligible taxpayers | Residents who filed Form IT-201 for 2023 and were not claimed as a dependent. |
| Payment amounts | • Single filer up to $75,000 AGI → $200 • Single filer $75,001-$150,000 → $150 • Joint filers up to $150,000 → $400 • Joint filers $150,001-$300,000 → $300 |
| Number of households | Over 8 million eligible recipients. |
| Mailing schedule | Mailed beginning end of September 2025, continuing through October/November. |
| Application required? | No — checks are automatic for eligible taxpayers. |
Why it matters: With inflation still squeezing budgets, the inflation refund delivers direct cash to help offset higher costs of living for millions in New York.
Program 2: STAR (School Tax Relief) Credit
The second stimulus-type benefit is for New York homeowners via the STAR credit program, which helps ease the burden of school‐property taxes.
Key Details
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Name of program | STAR Credit (Basic and Enhanced) |
| Basic STAR income eligibility | Homeowners owning their primary residence with combined income up to $500,000. |
| Enhanced STAR eligibility | Homeowners 65 or older, combined income limit around $107,300 for 2025-26 year. |
| Payment amounts | Basic STAR checks generally range from $350-$600; Enhanced STAR typically $700-$1,500+ depending on school district. |
| Distribution timing | Checks & credits being sent in summer/fall 2025, aligned with school‐tax due dates. |
Why it matters: For homeowners, especially seniors, the STAR credit offers a meaningful subsidy that gives extra breathing room in their budget amidst rising property and school taxes.
How to Know if You Qualify & What to Do
- For the inflation refund, check whether you filed your 2023 tax return (Form IT-201), and your income falls under the thresholds listed above. No application required; simply watch your mailbox.
- For the STAR credit, verify you are registered for the program (Basic or Enhanced), your residence is your primary home, and you meet the income criteria. If you haven’t registered yet, do so via the state’s STAR portal.
- In both cases, keep your address up to date with the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance so your check or deposit can be delivered.
- Expect timing to vary: Some checks may arrive in late September/early October, others later in the fall. Mail-out is not strictly sequential by ZIP code.
With the dual rollout of the inflation refund check and the expanded STAR homeowner credit, New York is offering two key financial relief programs this fall.
Whether you’re a taxpayer eligible for an up-to-$400 inflation refund or a homeowner eligible for hundreds to over a thousand dollars in STAR credit relief, the money is real and arriving soon.
Stay alert for your check or direct deposit, verify your eligibility, and use the funds strategically to offset rising living costs and property tax burdens. These programs mark a meaningful step toward easing financial pressure for millions across the state.
FAQs
Can I receive both the inflation refund and the STAR credit in the same year?
Yes — these are separate programs with different eligibility criteria. If you qualify for both, you may receive both payments.
What if I moved since filing my 2023 tax return?
You should update your mailing address with the state tax department to ensure your inflation refund check or STAR credit finds you. Handling delays may arise otherwise.
Are there any restrictions on how to spend these payments?
No — both programs deliver funds or credits without strings attached. Recipients can use the funds as they see fit (e.g., pay bills, groceries, property taxes).