Several US states are issuing tax relief payments before the end of 2025, offering financial support to residents as inflation, rising rents and higher living costs continue to strain household budgets. While federal stimulus programmes have ended, state governments are stepping in with targeted rebates, dividends and property tax reductions to ease the pressure on families.
Which US states are sending payments?
Alaska, New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania are all distributing some form of tax relief or rebate this month. These payments are state-run programmes, not federal stimulus cheques, and each state has its own eligibility rules, income thresholds and payment timelines.
Alaska: $1,000 permanent fund dividend
- Alaska’s permanent fund dividend is funded by state oil revenues and provides $1,000 per eligible resident for 2025.
- Most payments were issued earlier in the year.
- Late or pending applications confirmed by 10 December 2025 will be paid on 18 December 2025.
- Applications cleared after that date will be processed in January 2026.
The dividend remains one of the most reliable annual state payments in the country, though the exact amount fluctuates depending on oil revenue.
New York: $150 to $400 inflation relief rebate
- New York has launched a one-time inflation relief rebate as part of the 2025–2026 state budget. More than 8 million residents are expected to receive payments.
- Refund amounts range from $150 to $400.
- New Yorkers do not need to apply; eligible taxpayers will automatically receive a cheque.
- Distribution began in September 2025 and continues through December, with some payments extending into early 2026.
Eligibility is based on:
- Filing a 2023 resident income tax return
- Meeting income thresholds set by the state
- Not being claimed as a dependent
- The rebate is designed to offset the higher sales taxes residents paid due to inflation.
New Jersey: Expanded ANCHOR property tax relief
- New Jersey continues to issue payments through its expanded ANCHOR property tax relief programme.
- Payments for late-filed applications are being mailed throughout early December 2025.
- The benefit amount varies depending on income, age and residency status for 2024.
- Residents can check their application status via the New Jersey Division of Taxation website.
ANCHOR provides relief for both homeowners and renters, making it one of the broadest property tax assistance programmes in the country.
Pennsylvania: PTRR payments still going out
- Pennsylvania is still processing and sending payments under its property tax rent rebate programme.
- Residual payments for late applicants will be mailed throughout December, with some continuing into early 2026.
- The programme benefits older adults, people with disabilities and low-income renters or homeowners.
- Residents should use the official Commonwealth of Pennsylvania portals for updates and application tracking.
- Since its launch in 1971, the programme has delivered more than $8.6 billion in financial relief.
What this means for residents
- State-level relief is becoming increasingly important as national stimulus measures remain stalled.
- Alaska’s dividend is expected to continue annually.
- New Jersey and Pennsylvania’s property tax and rent relief schemes operate on recurring or rolling schedules.
- New York’s inflation rebate is currently one-off, with any extension depending on upcoming budget decisions.
As the year ends, millions of residents across these four states will see meaningful financial support arrive just as holiday and winter expenses peak.
