ELEVEN states including California and Georgia are planning on sending rebates worth up to $850, benefiting millions of Americans.
Inflation skyrocketed by 7.9 percent over the past year – the sharpest rise since 1982 – amid the surging costs for gas, food, and housing.
Lawmakers in states across the country are introducing a raft of relief measures to help offset the impact on American families.
MAINE
Maine Gov. Janet Mills wants to send an $850 check to residents.
She said that the average person will spend an extra $560 this year because of inflation compared to last.
The relief payments still have to be approved, but the first checks could be sent out in June, according to WGME.
Some state politicians want checks to be sent out via direct deposit but bosses at the Maine Revenue Services estimate that it has accurate banking information for less than half of the 800,000 people expected to be eligible for the relief.
GEORGIA
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp signed a law on Wednesday that will see Americans in the Peach State get up to $500.
Residents will get the refund once they’ve filed an individual income tax return for the 2021 tax year, according to the Governor’s office.
Single taxpayers will pocket a $250 payment, while heads of household will get $375 and married filers will get a single $500 check.
Officials say that taxpayers who’ve already submitted their tax returns do not need to adjust them.
Refunds will be allocated either via direct deposit or paper check, according to the Georgia Department of Revenue.
Governor Kemp said: “When government takes in more than it needs, I believe those dollars should be returned to the taxpayer, because that is your money – not the government’s.
“In Georgia, we are taking swift action to lessen the impact of the federal administration’s disastrous policies that have driven record-high inflation over the last year by putting taxpayer dollars back in the pockets of hardworking Georgians.”
CALIFORNIA
Gov. Gavin Newsom has proposed an $11billion package in a bid to help struggling Americans.
Californians could get $400 for each registered vehicle that they own – capped at two cars.
The relief payments are likely to total around $9billion.
Newsom said: “That direct relief will address the issue that we are all struggling to address – and that’s the issue of gas prices.”
Americans could get debit cards with the amount as early as July if lawmakers approve the package.
INDIANA
Indiana residents are due to receive a $125 stimulus, but only after they file their 2021 tax return.
State law requires officials to hand taxpayers a refund if reserves, excluding education, total more than 12.5 percent of the general funding pot.
The state has around $4billion in reserves, equating to 23 percent of its general fund, so taxpayers will see the payments arrive via direct deposit or paper check.
Governor Eric Holcomb said: “Despite a pandemic, Indiana exceed all expectations and closed the state fiscal year with an unprecedented amount in reserves.”
“We have an obligation to put this money back into the hands of taxpayers instead of living it in the hands of (the) government.”
And, the state will work with around 910,000 low-income Americans that pay taxes but don’t file returns.
NEW JERSEY
Governor Phil Murphy included checks worth up to $500 for one million families as part of his administration’s budget deal last year.
So far, there have not been any extra cash rebates proposed in the 2023 budget.
MINNESOTA
Couples in Minnesota earning less than $273,470 could get a rebate of $1,000 amid rising gas prices, according to Governor Tim Walz.
The politician has also called for direct $500 checks for adults who make less than $164,400.
Walz told reporters: “It’s quite a few fill-ups that you could get out of $1,000. I think this money in the hands of folks before summer would make a good difference. And it’s fiscally responsible.”
NEW MEXICO
Married couples that file joint tax returns and have incomes under $150,000 in New Mexico are eligible for a one-time tax rebate of $500.
Single filers with incomes less than $75,000 are eligible for a $250 check, according to the Governor’s website.
Gov. Grisham said: “New Mexicans, like all Americans, are feeling the pressure of rising costs.
“Coupled with the state’s robust current financial situation, there is no reason we shouldn’t be taking every action to cut costs for New Mexican seniors, families, and businesses – and today, we are doing just that.”
NEW YORK
In January, Governor Kathy Hochul announced her spending plan as she revealed the state’s $216.3bn budget.
As part of the measures, she proposed a $2.2billion middle-class property tax rebate for 2.5million homeowners.
Hochul also called for a $1.2billion tax cut for middle-class taxpayers.
The 63-year-old said: “We know that the federal funds will eventually run out and that’s why we’re not banking on them for the future.”
VIRGINIA
It’s likely that politicians in Virginia will pass a rebate check but the amount remains unclear, according to WAVY.
The amount could be $250 or $300 for individual taxpayers.
And, married couples may pocket up to $600.
HAWAII
Earlier this year, Hawaii Governor David Ige called on legislators to provide residents with a $100 check.
He issued the plea in his final State of the State address.
It’s not yet known if Hawaiians will get the rebate that Ige called for and some lawmakers think the amount should be bigger, Hawaii News Now reports.
Senate President Ron Kouchi said a rebate would go a “long way for people who are living paycheck to paycheck”.
IDAHO
Idahoans that filed taxes in the last two years are to be sent a rebate check or deposit from the end of March.
Americans in the state will get either $75 or 12 percent of their 2020 taxes – whichever amount is higher.
Around 25,000 rebates will be issued every week and its progress can be tracked at tax.idaho.gov/rebate.
Officials will issue refunds first by direct deposit then will send paper checks.
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