Most states have ended their inflation refund programs, but a few still have money left to send
Inflation refund checks were one-time payments that some states sent to residents between 2022 and 2024 to offset high prices. The programs have largely wrapped up. California, Colorado, and a handful of other states completed their distributions. Illinois, Georgia, and a few others finished earlier. If you lived in a state that ran one of these programs and met the income requirements at the time, you may have already received your check—or you may still be waiting if the program is still processing final batches.
The short answer: check your state's tax department website to see if your state ran a program and whether it is still active. If it is, the site will tell you the payment status. If your state has already closed its program, the money has been sent to everyone who may have access to, and no new checks are coming.
Key Takeaways
- Inflation refund programs were state-level, not federal, and each state set its own income limits and payment amounts.
- Most programs have finished sending checks; California, Colorado, Illinois, and Georgia completed theirs by late 2023 or early 2024.
- To learn about your state had a program and whether you received your payment, search "[your state] inflation refund" on your state tax department's website.
- If you were owed money and did not receive it, contact your state tax department directly—they can look up your payment status by Social Security number or tax ID.
Which states sent inflation refund checks and when
California sent the largest program, with payments ranging from $200 to $1,050 depending on income. Payments went out between October 2022 and January 2023. Colorado sent checks between June and August 2023, with amounts between $30 and $750. Illinois sent payments in 2023 with amounts up to $300. Georgia sent checks in 2023 with amounts up to $250.
Other states that ran smaller programs include New Mexico, Minnesota, and Maryland. Each state set different income thresholds—some required you to file a state tax return that year, others looked at federal tax returns, and a few sent money to anyone who met income limits regardless of filing status. The payment amounts and may be able to access rules varied widely, so a program in one state tells you nothing about whether your state had one.
No new inflation refund programs have been announced since 2024, and the ones that were active have either finished sending checks or are in their final processing stages. If your state is not listed here and you are not sure, search your state tax department's website for "inflation refund" or "relief payment" to confirm.
How to check if you received your inflation refund payment
Start by going to your state's tax department website and searching for information about inflation refunds or relief payments. Most states posted a dedicated page with program details, payment timelines, and a tool to check your payment status. You will usually need your Social Security number or tax ID and the tax year the program covered.
If your state's website has a payment tracker, use it. If not, call your state tax department's main line and ask to speak with someone about the inflation refund program. Have your Social Security number, filing status, and the year you filed ready. They can tell you whether you were sent a check, when it was mailed, and whether it was delivered or returned.
If the program has ended and the website says all payments have been sent, but you did not receive yours, contact the tax department anyway. Checks can be lost in the mail, returned as undeliverable, or held up by address changes. The state can reissue a payment or send it by direct deposit if you provide updated information.
What to do if your check never arrived
If your state says a check was mailed to you but you never received it, ask the tax department for the mailing date and the address it was sent to. If the address was wrong or you moved, that explains the delay. The state can send a replacement check to your current address or, in some cases, deposit the money directly to your bank account if you provide routing and account numbers.
If the check was mailed to the correct address and you still have not received it after 60 days from the mailing date, file a claim with your state tax department. They will investigate and either reissue the check or issue a replacement by direct deposit. This process usually takes four to eight weeks.
Keep any mail from your state tax department about the refund program, even if it does not include the check itself. If you need to prove you were owed money, that documentation helps. If you cannot find it, the tax department's records will show whether a payment was issued in your name.
Inflation refund programs by state and payment status
| State | Payment Range | Mailing Period | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $200–$1,050 | October 2022–January 2023 | Complete |
| Colorado | $30–$750 | June–August 2023 | Complete |
| Illinois | Up to $300 | 2023 | Complete |
| Georgia | Up to $250 | 2023 | Complete |
| New Mexico | $100–$500 | 2023 | Complete |
| Minnesota | Up to $300 | 2023 | Complete |
| Maryland | $100–$500 | 2023 | Complete |
This table covers the major programs. Some states ran smaller or more limited programs. Check your state tax department's website to confirm whether your state had a program and what the payment status is now.
Why inflation refund programs ended
Inflation refund programs were temporary responses to high prices in 2022 and 2023. They were funded by state budget surpluses—extra tax revenue that states collected during that period. As inflation cooled and state revenues stabilized, most states finished distributing the money they had set aside and closed the programs.
No state has announced plans for a new inflation refund program. If you hear about one, verify it through your state tax department's official website before providing personal information or money. Scammers sometimes create fake refund offers to steal Social Security numbers or banking details.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get an inflation refund if I did not file taxes that year?
It depends on the state. California and Colorado allowed non-filers to receive payments if they met income requirements. Other states required a tax return to have been filed. Check your state's program rules on its tax department website to see whether non-filers were included.
What if I moved after the check was mailed?
Contact your state tax department and provide your current address. If the original check was returned as undeliverable, they can reissue it to your new address or deposit it directly to your bank account. This usually takes four to six weeks.
Do I have to report the inflation refund as income on my taxes?
No. Inflation refund checks were not taxable income. You do not report them on your federal or state tax return, and they do not affect your tax liability for any year.
Is there a deadline to claim an unclaimed inflation refund?
Most states have closed their programs, so there is no longer a window to claim a payment you missed. However, if you were owed money and did not receive it, contact your state tax department—they may still be able to issue a replacement check or payment.
How do I know if a website offering an inflation refund is legitimate?
Go directly to your state tax department's official website by searching "[your state] department of revenue" or "[your state] tax department." Do not click links in emails or texts claiming to offer refunds. Legitimate refunds come from the state, not from third-party websites.