Gov. Kathy Hochul has issued a warning to New York State residents about “scammers” who are spreading false information about the inflation reduction refund checks that are being sent to more than 8.2 million households.
In April, the governor announced that the fiscal year 2026 budget includes the state’s first-ever inflation refund checks, with direct payments to taxpayers coming in the fall. Joint tax filers with income up to $150,000 will receive a $400 check, and joint filers with income over $150,000 but no more than $300,000 will receive a $300 check. Single tax filers with income up to $75,000 will receive a $200 check, and single filers with income over $75,000 but no more than $150,000 will receive a $150 check.
Checks are being mailed now and will continue through November, the governor announced last week. On Sunday, she issued the warning about scams targeting the refund initiative. Text and voice messages, emails, and direct mail are being sent in an attempt to spread false information, she said. The messages falsely claim that recipients must submit accurate payment information in order to receive an inflation refund check, supposedly so revenue agencies can deposit money into a taxpayer’s bank account.
But taxpayers do not have to do anything to receive an inflation refund check outside of meeting eligibility requirements, the governor said. Those who filed Form IT-201, the State Resident Income Tax Return, for tax year 2023; reported income within the qualifying thresholds, and were not claimed as a dependent on another taxpayer’s return are eligible for an inflation refund check.
The initiative will send $316.4 million to almost 1.3 million Long Island taxpayers, the governor said. “With scams targeting the state’s inflation refund initiative, let me be clear: The Tax Department and the [Internal Revenue Service] do not call or text individuals for personal information,” she said in a statement. “My administration urges New Yorkers to remain vigilant and report these scams to the Tax Department to protect yourself from being a victim.”
The governor advised those receiving a message purporting to be from an official source to block the sender, delete the message, and report it to the State Tax Department or the I.R.S. The Tax Department does not use text messages, email, direct mail, or social media to request personal tax information.
