Stimulus Check Alert: Thousands Across the States Soon to Get Up to $2,500 – Are You Included?

Discussions surrounding a potential fourth federal stimulus payment have been ongoing since the IRS distributed the last of three Economic Impact Payments (EIP) to eligible Americans. This is a clear indication of the financial stress that continues to plague many households and the dire need for additional aid.

In response to this need, several states have taken the initiative and reallocated their surplus budget funds to offer extra financial relief to residents still grappling with the economic impact of ongoing inflation. For instance, in Montana, taxpayers who are married and filing jointly have the opportunity to receive an income tax rebate of up to $2,500, provided they meet the eligibility criteria.

Stimulus funds in some states have been specifically assigned to certain demographic groups such as teachers, individuals who save energy, farm workers, essential workers, and frontline workers. This targeted support recognizes the particular financial pressures these groups may face. Additionally, a rising number of cities, including Chicago, Los Angeles, Pittsburgh, and Seattle, are providing stimulus payments to households with low income this year, as reported by Ramsey Solutions.

The Sun has compiled an extensive list of job-, city-, and state-specific updates on stimulus checks. Regularly reviewing this information and checking your city and state websites, as well as your state’s Department of Revenue site, for the latest news on relief payments is a prudent move. It’s also advisable to follow up on any stimulus program payments and tax rebates that were disbursed earlier this year to verify whether you were eligible for any benefits.

In Alaska, residents are beneficiaries of the Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend, a program that redistributes a portion of the state’s mineral revenue through an annual dividend to benefit current and future generations. The dividend is calculated based on the number of eligible Alaskan applicants in a given dividend year, as well as half of the statutory net income averaged over the previous five fiscal years.

Although the application deadline is typically March 31 of the applicable year, some exceptions apply. As per the Permanent Fund Dividend site, “Applicants who filed an online application (web) and opted for direct deposit, and who have been deemed eligible for payment by September 22, 2023, will receive their 2023 dividend through direct deposit on October 5, 2023. Applications (web and paper) deemed eligible for payment by October 18, 2023, will receive their dividend on October 26, 2023, either through direct deposit or by check. Checks are mailed out from Juneau commencing October 26, 2023.”

In Massachusetts, state tax refunds started to be issued on November 1, 2022, to eligible filers entitled to a refund of 14% of their 2021 Massachusetts state tax liability. If you have yet to file your 2021 return, you may still be able to receive a refund provided you file by September 15, 2023, according to Mass.gov. Eligible individuals can expect to receive their refund approximately one month after filing.

In Minnesota, the Department of Revenue has announced that it will send one-time direct tax rebate payments for the tax year 2021 to eligible Minnesotans following recent updates in tax law. The legislation, signed on May 24, 2023, provides payments of $520 for married couples filing a joint return with an adjusted gross income of $150,000 or less. Single individuals or those with an adjusted gross income of $75,000 or less will receive $260, as well as an additional $260 for each dependent claimed on your return — up to three dependents ($780).

To facilitate this process, Minnesota has recently launched a secure online portal for residents to update their address or bank details that may have changed since filing their 2021 return. Most residents will not have to apply for this payment, as the Department of Revenue will use previously filed income tax or property tax information.

In Montana, the Montana Business & Income Tax Division has confirmed that Gov. Greg Gianforte has signed state House bills into law to provide tax rebates for qualifying Montana taxpayers. House Bill 192 provides a rebate for individual income taxes paid in tax year 2021. For those whose filing status was single, head of household, or married filing separately, the rebate will be either $1,250 or the line 20 amount, whichever is less. For taxpayers who are married and filing jointly, the rebate will be either $2,500 or the line 20 amount, whichever is less.

House Bill 222, known as the Property Tax Rebate, offers a rebate of up to $675 a year of property taxes paid on a principal residence. There are two separate rebates available, one for property taxes paid for the 2022 tax year and another for the 2023 tax year.

In Nuevo Mexico, the Taxation and Revenue Department began issuing rebate checks in mid-June of up to $1,000 for married couples filing joint returns, heads of household and surviving spouses — and $500 for single filers and married individuals filing separately. Eligible residents who filed a 2021 income tax return and are not declared dependent on another tax return will receive payment automatically. This rebate is available to New Mexicans who have filed or will file, their 2021 state income tax return by May 31, 2024.

In Washington, the Washington Working Families Tax Credit is set to provide payments to state residents worth between $50 and $1,200. Payments will be disbursed to individuals and families who meet certain eligibility requirements, which depend on your income level and how many qualifying children you have in your household. Even undocumented workers and others who use an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number to file their taxes are eligible for this payment. If you’re eligible, you have a three-year window to claim your credit.