Financial relief in the form of one-time, tax rebate checks are headed to millions of eligible Illinois residents, as part of Gov. J.B. Pritzker's Illinois Family Relief Plan.
“The Illinois Family Relief Plan continues to fight inflation and lower costs for the people of our state during these challenging economic times,” Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton said in a statement. “Income and tax rebates are on the way to ease the burden and provide support to families throughout the state. Our administration cares and will continue to do all it can to make Illinois one of the best states in the nation to live.”
According to officials, those rebates began rolling out Monday.
However, the payout process is expected to be long, with distribution stretching into the late fall, according to a news release from the governor's office.
Here's what to know about the program, including who's eligible to receive a check, how long payouts will take, how residents will get paid and more.
When Might You Get Your Rebate Check?
State officials say the payments could take at least eight weeks in total to distribute.
If you didn't receive a refund or if you were given a paper check refund, it may take longer for the rebate to be issued, according to state officials. Taxpayers who have yet to file or submit an IL-1040 form will receive their rebate after the submission is reviewed.
Comptroller Susana Mendoza said things "remain on schedule," but that Sept. 12 marks the start of only the first wave of checks.
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“My office will be working diligently to get these rebates into the hands of taxpayers," she said in a statement. "After all, it's your money. A total of $1.2 billion dollars will be released over the next six to eight weeks to nearly six million taxpayers.”
How Much Money Could You Get and Who Is Eligible?
There will be two rebates. One is for income taxes and another for property taxes.
Income tax
The income tax rebate calls for a single person to receive $50, while those who file taxes jointly are poised to receive a total of $100, Mendoza's office said in a news release. Residents with dependents will receive a rebate of up to $300 -- $100 per dependent, with a maximum of three.
Income limits of $200,000 per individual taxpayer, or $400,000 for joint filers, will be attached to the checks, according to officials. To qualify, you must have been an Illinois resident in 2021 and meet the income criteria. Those who filled out the 2021 IL-1040 tax form will receive their rebates automatically.
Those who haven't filed individual income tax returns and completed the form yet can still claim their rebate by filling out the form online. Residents with dependents must also complete the 2021 Schedule IL-E/EIC form.
Property tax
On top of the income tax rebates, some homeowners may receive more assistance.
Qualified property owners will receive a rebate equal to the property tax credit claimed on their 2021 IL-1040 form, with a maximum payment of up to $300. To be eligible, you must have paid Illinois property taxes in 2021 on your primary residence and your adjust gross income must be $500,000 or less if filing jointly. If filing alone, your income must be $250,000 or less.
Rebates will be distributed in the method that your original income tax refund was sent, according to the state of Illinois website. If you did not receive a refund, did not file an Illinois income tax return, or are requesting the property tax rebate separately, then your rebate will be sent by paper check.
As is the situation with the income tax rebates, property owners who completed the IL-1040 form will receive rebates automatically. If you didn't, though, there's no need to worry.
Property owners can still receive that rebate as long as they fill out the IL-1040 form. In order to be eligible, you must submit the form by Oct. 17.
How Will You Receive Your Rebate?
According to officials, residents will receive their payment through the same method the original tax refund was sent through.
How Do You Claim Your Rebate Checks?
For many, no action is needed. But some may be required to fill out a form to receive their payments. Here's what the state said:
- For those who have filed state income taxes and claimed a property tax credit for 2021 and are not claimed as a dependent on another return, nothing additional is needed to receive the property and income tax rebates. Payments will be automatic.
- Taxpayers who did notfile or are not required to file their 2021 IL-1040 individual income tax returns but want to only claim the individual income tax rebate must file Form IL-1040, including Schedule IL-E/EIC, Illinois Exemption and Earned Income Credit, to report any eligible dependents.
- Taxpayers who did not file or are not required to file their 2021 IL-1040 individual income tax returns but want to claim both the property tax and individual income tax rebatesmust file Form IL-1040, including Schedule ICR, Illinois Credits, and Schedule IL-E/EIC, Illinois Exemption and Earned Income Credit, to report any eligible dependents.
- Taxpayers who only want to claim the property tax rebate or did not report their property tax information on their 2021 IL-1040 individual income tax return have the option to fill out Form IL-1040-PTR either electronically, or by filling out a paper form and mailing it to IDOR. Form IL-1040-PTR, the Property Tax Rebate Form, is available on IDOR’s website at tax.illinois.gov/rebates.
- Taxpayers eligible for both rebates will receive one payment. Rebates will be sent automatically using the same method original refunds were transmitted if they were sent directly to the taxpayer by the State of Illinois.
How Do I Check on the Status of My Rebates?
For additional information or to check on the status of a rebate, visit tax.illinois.gov/rebates. Those needing can also call 1-800 732-8866 or 217-782-3336.
