These States Send People Checks Worth Hundreds of Dollars for Everything From Inflation to Oil Royalties: See If You Qualify

Who doesn’t love getting some extra cash? This year, in some states, residents will receive checks or direct deposits from their state government for everything from refunds for inflation, dividends for revenue generated from oil royalties, and tax rebates. Here’s who qualifies.

Alaska

Established in 1976 after oil was discovered on the northern coast of Alaska, the Alaska Permanent Fund pays annual dividends to all Alaska residents using revenue generated by mineral royalties. The dividends fluctuate from year to year. For 2025, residents can expect to receive a dividend worth $1,000.

In order to qualify, you must have been a resident the previous year and intend to “remain an Alaska resident indefinitely.” There’s also no age requirement for eligibility, so children can receive dividends, too.

Colorado

In 2026, some Colorado residents may be eligible for a sales tax refund based on their income. This is because of what’s known as the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights (TABOR).

Colorado voters approved the TABOR amendment in 1992, which requires the state to refund state revenue above a certain threshold every year. This threshold is based on the previous fiscal year‘s revenue and is adjusted based on factors like inflation and population growth.

The maximum amount that single filers are projected to receive next year is $62, or $124 for married couples filing jointly. That’s for taxpayers with adjusted gross incomes of $329,001 and up. For those who earned less, the refund is less.

However, the value of the state refund may fluctuate from year to year. Taxpayers are not guaranteed to receive money every year.

In 2025, Colorado residents received their refund checks for tax year 2024. These checks were much larger than this year’s projected amount: single filers with adjusted gross incomes of $329,001 and up were eligible to receive up to $565 in 2025, and joint filers were eligible to receive up to $1,130.

Georgia

Georgians who filed their tax returns in 2023 and 2024 on time are eligible for a one-time surplus tax refund from the state in 2025.

These refunds are worth up to $250 for single filers and $500 for married couples filing jointly. This is the third time the state has sent refunds to state taxpayers. (The state also provided refunds for tax year 2021 due to a revenue surplus that year and tax year 2020.)

This refund is for income taxes owed in tax year 2023. So a Georgia resident who owed $0 worth of taxes that year wouldn’t qualify.

Eligibility is based on a few factors. First, you must be a resident of Georgia. Second, you must have filed your 2023 and 2024 tax returns in a “timely” fashion.

If you were claimed as a dependent on another person’s tax return during tax year 2023 and did not earn income for that year, you are not eligible, among other limitations.

New York

For the first time, residents of New York state will receive inflation refund checks beginning this fall. Announced in May 2025 by New York Governor Kathy Hochul, these checks are a result of the state collecting more in sales tax due to inflation increasing the cost of goods and services.

Eligibility for the checks depends on your adjusted gross income in 2023, your residency status in New York state, and whether you were claimed as a dependent on someone else’s tax return. (If you were claimed as a dependent, you’re not eligible.)

Checks range from $150 to $200 for single filers and $300 to $400 for married couples filing jointly.

New Jersey

New Jersey residents may be eligible for Affordable New Jersey Communities for Homeowners and Renters (ANCHOR) property tax relief payments in 2025. The state automatically filed applications for certain taxpayers and began sending out payments Sept. 15.

The ANCHOR program provides property tax relief based on your 2024 income, age, and whether you own or rent your home:

• Homeowners age 65 or older with incomes of $150,000 or less: Can receive up to $1,750
• Homeowners age 65 or older with incomes between $150,000 and $250,000: Can receive up to $1,250
• Homeowners age 64 or younger with incomes of $150,000 or less: Can receive up to $1,500
• Homeowners age 64 or younger with incomes between $150,000 and $250,000: Can receive up to $1,000
• Renters age 65 or older: Can receive up to $700
• Renters age 64 or younger: Can receive up to $450

To qualify, you must have been a New Jersey resident on Oct. 1, 2024, and your home must have been subject to property taxes. The income limit is $250,000 for homeowners and $150,000 for renters. The application deadline is Oct. 31, 2025, though many eligible residents were automatically enrolled. The state says to expect up to a 90-day wait for a direct deposit of your funds.

You can check your payment status online using your Social Security number and ZIP code.

Virginia

In Virginia, certain taxpayers will receive tax rebates in October 2025 due to a revenue surplus. This isn’t the first time the state has provided tax rebates, either. In 2022 and 2023, eligible taxpayers could receive tax rebates, too.

This year, single filers are eligible to receive up to $200 ($400 for those filing jointly). However, only those who had a tax liability—which refers to the amount you owe in taxes minus any credits and deductions—in 2024 are eligible to receive a refund.

The Bottom Line

This year, states like Colorado, New York, New Jersey, and Georgia are providing checks to certain residents. There may be income thresholds, residency requirements, and more. To check your eligibility, visit your state’s designated website.