'Stimulus Checks' 2026: State Tax Rebates, Property Relief and Trump Checks
State 'stimulus checks,' tax rebates, and other payments are on their way to eligible residents in some states. Is your state one of them?
While federal pandemic-era stimulus checks are a thing of the past, some states are still sending residents tax rebates, property-tax relief, and other direct payments in 2026.
You may have heard that President Donald Trump has once again floated the idea that adults could receive a so-called "Trump dividend," but that's only a midterm campaign promise and not an approved federal payment.
Here's where state payments stand now, including which programs are sending money, which have ended, and where residents still have time to claim relief.
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Trump's $5,000 'dividend' isn't a stimulus check yet
President Donald Trump recently promised a $5,000 payment to every adult U.S. citizen if Republicans retain control of Congress in November.
But it's important to note that the announcement was a campaign promise, not a new federal payment program.
Trump provided no details on how the payments would be funded or administered, and Congress would have to approve the spending.
Additionally, the price tag could exceed $1 trillion, which would far exceed reported tariff revenues.
For more information, see our report: Trump $5,000 Dividend and $500 ACA Rebate Checks: What to Know About the Latest Promises.
$500 Obamacare rebates?
President Donald Trump says nearly 1 million people enrolled in Affordable Care Act (ACA, aka "Obamacare") plans will receive $500 rebate checks beginning in October. The payments would reportedly go to enrollees in 30 states who buy ACA coverage without federal premium subsidies.
The White House says the rebates will come from excess fees collected through HealthCare.gov and claims consumers were overcharged during the Biden administration.
But the administration has not provided evidence that each recipient was overcharged by $500, and health policy experts say the funds stem from unused exchange fees rather than a new appropriation. Stay tuned.
IRS Payments
IRS stimulus checks?
The IRS has essentially wrapped up its distribution of $1,400 stimulus payments for unclaimed tax credits by automatically issuing up to $1,400 per taxpayer to approximately 1 million people.
Those individuals missed claiming the Recovery Rebate Credit on their 2021 tax returns.
As of January 1, 2026, the window to claim unclaimed stimulus has closed.
For more information, see Kiplinger's report IRS Sending Up to $1,400 to One Million People: Are You Eligible?
State Tax Rebates
Special state payments in 2026
Getting back to this year's special state payments, the eligibility criteria, payment amounts, and delivery timelines differ from state to state.
Here's a breakdown of some states issuing special payments.
Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend
- Eligible Alaskans are scheduled to receive $1,200 in 2026: a $1,000 Permanent Fund Dividend plus a $200 energy-relief payment.
- The first large distribution is scheduled for Oct. 1, 2026, with another distribution scheduled for Oct. 22.
Alaska's annual Permanent Fund Dividend is an established direct-payment program. For 2026, the state legislature approved a $1,000 dividend plus a one-time $200 energy-relief payment, for a total of $1,200 for eligible residents.
According to the Alaska Department of Revenue, eligible applicants who filed online, selected direct deposit, and are determined eligible by Sept. 18 will receive their 2026 payment on Oct. 1.
A second distribution is scheduled for Oct. 22 for applicants determined eligible by Oct. 12.
To qualify for the 2026 PFD, applicants generally must have been Alaska residents throughout 2025 and intend to remain Alaska residents indefinitely, among other requirements.
Colorado TABOR Refunds
- Colorado TABOR refunds are paid from a $1.7 billion surplus.
- Due to potential legislative changes, future TABOR payments could decrease.
Colorado TABOR refunds (also known as "Cash Back" payments) are being sent to eligible Coloradans (age and residency rules apply) who filed a Colorado income tax return for a specified year or applied for a Colorado property tax/rent/heat credit (PTC) rebate. The amount depends on your filing status on your applicable Colorado state tax return.
TABOR payments are based on whether the state exceeds a certain surplus revenue threshold.
For Colorado taxes in general, see Kiplinger's Colorado Tax Guide.
2026 Update: The "Cash Back" program remains active, but the 2026 payout is much lower because revenue growth has slowed. If you filed your 2024 return on time, these payments should have arrived via check or direct deposit throughout the first half of 2026.
Georgia Tax Rebates
- Georgia issued $250–$500 tax rebates last year based on filing status and will issue special payments in 2026.
- The state automatically processed payments for eligible filers and funded them with its $11 billion surplus.
Georgia is issuing a one-time special tax refund to eligible taxpayers in 2026. The refunds, authorized by House Bill 1000, began going out in May and will return more than $1 billion to Georgia taxpayers.
The maximum refund is $250 for single filers and married couples filing separately, $375 for heads of household, and $500 for married couples filing jointly.
The actual amount depends on the taxpayer's 2024 Georgia income tax liability and cannot exceed that liability.
- To qualify, taxpayers generally must have filed both their 2024 and 2025 Georgia individual income-tax returns, had a 2024 Georgia tax liability, and not have outstanding obligations that would offset the refund.
- Taxpayers who received an extension for their 2025 return have until October 15, 2026, to file.
- The refund is sent automatically using the payment method on the taxpayer's return; no separate application is required.
Related: Georgia Has a New Income Tax Rate
Michigan Working Famlies Tax Credit
- Over 700,000 families received checks averaging $550 from the expansion of the Working Families Tax Credit (EITC).
- The Michigan EITC will be automatically calculated and included in the taxpayer's regular refund.
Michigan tax credit checks have been sent to more than 700,000 families since the state’s expanded working families tax credit became effective two years ago. The rebate checks are based on previous state tax returns and differ from any Michigan state tax refund that eligible residents receive for a given tax year.
The payments stem from an expansion of Michigan's earned income tax credit (Earned Income Tax Credit for Working Families, also called the Working Families Tax Credit) and were expected to average $550 per family.
To qualify, individuals must have earned income, meet federal EITC eligibility criteria, and file both federal and state tax returns.
Update: As of January 1, 2026, the 15% expansion of the Working Families Tax Credit is fully integrated into the tax system. So eligible residents will automatically receive this relief as part of their standard state tax refund.
State officials say the credit has already made a tangible impact, with over 653,000 recipients benefiting in the past year, averaging $836 each.
For more information, see: Michigan Tax Credit Checks
New Jersey
- New Jersey's ANCHOR Program (property tax relief) has been revamped via the PAS-1 application for easier filing.
- The combined application allows eligible residents to claim up to $6,500 in total property tax benefits.
ANCHOR payments for the 2025 benefit year are scheduled to begin Sept. 15, 2026, and will reportedly be distributed on a rolling basis. According to state officials, most payments should arrive within 90 days unless additional information is needed.
- Most eligible homeowners under 65 and renters don't need to file a new application if the state can process their benefit automatically.
- However, taxpayers who need to change their banking information or request a paper check must file by Sept. 15.
- The general filing deadline for the 2025 benefit year is Nov. 2, 2026.
For renters, the ANCHOR benefit is generally $450 for those under 65 and $700 for those 65 or older, subject to income and other eligibility rules.
New York Tax Relief
- New York Inflation Relief payments have concluded.
- New York offers families other targeted tax relief for 2026.
One-time New York inflation relief checks issued in late 2025 have concluded.
For more information, see: New York Inflation Relief Checks: What to Know.
For 2026, one of the state's major forms of direct tax relief is the expanded Empire State Child Credit.
- For the 2026 tax year, eligible families can receive $1,000 per qualifying child under age 4 and $500 per qualifying child ages 4 through 16, subject to income-based phaseouts.
- The credit is claimed on 2026 returns filed in 2027.
New York's STAR program also continues to provide property-tax relief to eligible homeowners.
- As Kiplinger reported, STAR is essentially two programs rolled into one: Basic STAR and Enhanced STAR (E-STAR). Both provide school district property tax relief but with different eligibility requirements.
- New York officials estimate the tax reduction per household will be about $290 for Basic STAR and $650 for E-STAR.
- STAR and E-STAR relief comes as a tax exemption or tax credit.
For more information, see New York School Tax Relief Checks.
Oregon Kicker Tax Credit
- The Oregon "kicker" tax credit is returning state surplus revenue in 2026.
- The credit is applied to increase state tax refunds or reduce tax liability.
Oregon's "kicker" is being claimed as a credit on 2025 Oregon tax returns filed in 2026. It is not a separate stimulus check. The credit either increases a taxpayer's refund or reduces the amount of state income tax owed.
To qualify, taxpayers generally must have filed a 2024 Oregon return, had Oregon personal income-tax liability for 2024, and file a 2025 Oregon return.
The 2025 kicker is 9.863% of the taxpayer's 2024 Oregon personal income-tax liability.
While many Oregonians welcome the “kicker” as a windfall, some economists worry this recurring rebate leaves state budgeting unpredictable. Some policymakers are calling for more accurate forecasting to protect funding for essential services.
For more information, see our report: Oregon Tax Kicker in 2026: What's Your Refund Amount?.
Pennsylvania Rebates and Credits
- The expanded Pennsylvania Property Tax/Rent Rebate program offers a maximum of $1,000 for eligible residents.
- Eligibility has an income limit for homeowners and renters (excluding 50% of Social Security benefits).
Gov. Shapiro’s historic expansion remains in effect for 2026.
Eligible seniors (65+), widows/widowers (50+), and people with disabilities (18+) can now apply for rebates of up to $1,000 on property taxes or rent paid in 2025.
Thanks to a new cost-of-living adjustment, the income limit has increased to $48,110 for 2026.
Applications are open now and must be submitted by June 30, 2026.
To be eligible for a payment under Pennsylvania's recently expanded "Property Tax/Rent Rebate" program, you must be at least 65 years old, a widow(er) at least 50 years old, or a person with disabilities at least 18 years old.
There's also an annual income limit: for homeowners and renters (50% of your Social Security benefits are excluded).
The standard Pennsylvania rebate amount depends on your income and whether you own or rent your home.
To date, funding has been available so everyone who qualifies can benefit from the program.
Related: Pennsylvania Rebate Checks: What You Need to Know
Also: the new "Working Pennsylvanians" Tax Credit is a relatively new refundable credit for workers with low- to moderate-income
Modeled after the federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), it provides an additional 10% match of your federal credit.
Eligible residents can receive up to $805 automatically when filing their 2025 state tax return (PA-40) this spring.
Related
- State Tax Changes to Know for 2026
- Three Critical Tax Changes Could Boost Your Paycheck
- Frugal Habits People Are Using to Save Money This Year
