Inflation refund checks are state-level payments, not federal ones, and may be able to access depends entirely on which state you lived in and your tax filing status that year
There is no single "inflation refund" program. Instead, several states created their own refund programs during periods of high inflation—most notably in 2022 and 2023—and each one had different rules about who received money. California, Colorado, Illinois, and New Mexico are examples of states that sent checks, but the income limits, filing requirements, and payment amounts varied widely. If you received a check, it came from your state's tax authority, not the IRS.
The most common inflation refunds went to people who filed a state income tax return for the year the program covered. Some states required you to have lived there on a specific date. Others had income caps—meaning you earned too much to receive the full amount or any amount at all. A few states sent checks automatically to people who met the criteria; others required you to request the refund on your tax return or through a separate form.
Key Takeaways
- Inflation refunds were created by individual states, not the federal government, so whether you received one depends on which state you lived in during the year the program covered.
- Most inflation refunds required you to file a state income tax return for that tax year, and many had income limits that reduced or eliminated your refund if you earned above a certain threshold.
- Some states sent refunds automatically to people who met the criteria, while others required you to claim the refund on your tax return or submit a separate request form.
- If you believe you were owed a refund but did not receive one, contact your state's tax authority directly—they maintain records of who received payments and can investigate missing checks.
How states determined who received inflation refunds
Each state that created an inflation refund program set its own rules. The most common requirements were: you had to file a state income tax return for the tax year the program covered, you had to be a resident of that state on a specific date (usually the last day of the tax year), and your income had to fall below a certain threshold. Some states also required you to have paid state income tax.
California's inflation relief program in 2023, for example, sent checks to people who filed a 2021 tax return and had California adjusted gross income between $250 and $2 million (depending on filing status). Colorado's 2023 refund went to people who filed a 2022 return and had income below $200,000 for single filers. Illinois sent refunds in 2022 to people who filed a 2021 return with income below $250,000. The specifics changed from state to state and year to year.
A few states made refunds automatic—meaning if you filed a return and met the income threshold, the state sent you a check without you having to do anything else. Other states required you to claim the refund on your tax return form itself, or to submit a separate claim form to the state tax authority. If you filed your return but did not claim the refund where required, you may have missed the payment.
What to do if you think you should have received a refund but did not
Start by confirming which state or states you lived in during the tax year the refund covered. Then contact that state's tax authority—usually called the Department of Revenue or Franchise Tax Board—and ask whether an inflation refund program existed for that year and whether you met the criteria. Many state tax websites have a page dedicated to past inflation refund programs that explains the rules and shows payment dates.
If the state confirms you were owed a refund, ask them to check whether a check was mailed to you. Provide your current mailing address and the address where you lived when the check was sent. If the state has a record of mailing the check but you never received it, you can request a replacement check or a payment by another method (such as direct deposit if the state offers it). This process typically takes two to four weeks once you contact the state.
If you filed your return late or amended it after the refund program ended, you may have missed the payment window. Some states allowed late claims for a limited time after the initial program closed; others did not. Ask the tax authority whether a late claim is still possible in your situation. Keep copies of your tax return and any correspondence with the state for your records.
Income limits and how they affected the refund amount
Most states that sent inflation refunds used income limits to determine who received money and how much. These limits typically reduced the refund amount as your income increased, rather than cutting you off entirely at a single threshold. For example, a state might have sent the full refund to people earning under $100,000, a reduced refund to people earning between $100,000 and $150,000, and no refund to people earning above $150,000.
The income figure used was usually your adjusted gross income (AGI) from your state tax return, not your gross income. This means deductions and certain credits were already subtracted before the state compared your income to the limit. If you were close to the income threshold, check your actual AGI on your return—it may be lower than your gross earnings.
If you received a refund but believe the amount was wrong, contact the state tax authority with a copy of your return. They can recalculate the refund based on your actual income and correct any errors. Refund corrections are usually processed within four to six weeks.
States that sent inflation refunds and when they ended
California, Colorado, Illinois, New Mexico, and a handful of other states created inflation refund programs between 2022 and 2023. Most of these programs have now closed, meaning new claims are no longer being accepted. However, if you believe you were owed a refund from a closed program, some states still process late claims or allow you to claim the refund on an amended return.
The payment dates varied. California sent most checks in 2023. Colorado processed refunds in 2023 and 2024. Illinois sent checks in 2022. New Mexico distributed refunds in 2023. If you lived in multiple states during a single tax year, you may have been owed refunds from more than one state—each state's rules applied only to residents of that state.
Check your state's tax authority website to see whether a program existed for the year you are asking about. Most states maintain a page explaining past refund programs, the may be able to access rules, and the payment status. If the program has closed, the page will usually say so and explain whether late claims are still being accepted.
How to find your state's tax authority and check the status of your refund
Search online for "[Your State] Department of Revenue" or "[Your State] tax authority." Most state tax websites have a search function or a dedicated page for inflation refunds or relief programs. You can usually find information about whether a program existed, who was owed money, and whether payments have been sent.
Some states allow you to check your refund status online by entering your Social Security number or tax identification number. Others require you to call or mail a request. If you call, have your tax return handy so you can provide your filing status, income, and the year the return covers. If you mail a request, include a copy of your return and a letter explaining which refund program you are asking about.
Response times vary by state. Phone lines are often busy during tax season (January through April), so calling in the summer or fall may be faster. Email inquiries typically take two to three weeks. If you need a response quickly, calling is usually the fastest option.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I claim an inflation refund on an amended return if I missed it the first time?
It depends on the state and how long ago the program ended. Some states allow amended claims for a year or two after the program closes; others do not. Contact your state's tax authority to ask whether an amended return can still be filed for the refund. If the program has been closed for more than three years, most states will not process a new claim.
What if I moved after the refund was sent and never received the check?
Contact your state's tax authority with your current address and the address where you lived when the check was mailed. The state can confirm whether a check was sent and, if so, issue a replacement. If the original check was cashed by someone else, the state may investigate, but replacement checks are usually issued within two to four weeks of your request.
Do I have to report an inflation refund as income on my federal tax return?
No. Inflation refunds are not considered taxable income by the IRS. You do not report them on your federal return, and they do not affect your federal tax liability. Some states also do not tax the refund on your state return, but check your state's rules to be sure.
If I did not file a state income tax return that year, can I still get the refund?
Most inflation refund programs required you to file a state return for that tax year. If you did not file, you generally cannot claim the refund unless your state had a special late-filing window. Contact your state's tax authority to ask whether you can file a return now and claim the refund retroactively. Some states allow this; others do not.
What if I lived in two different states during the same tax year?
You may have been owed refunds from both states, depending on when you moved and each state's residency rules. File a part-year resident return with each state if you have not already, and then ask each state's tax authority whether you were owed an inflation refund. Each state's rules explore only to the portion of the year you lived there.