Illinoisans to Begin Receiving Tax Rebate Payments
Westchester, Ill. – Income and property tax rebates are now being sent to roughly six million qualified taxpayers in Illinois. These rebates are a part of the Illinois Family Relief Plan, which also cut the grocery tax, froze the gas tax, and implemented a school supply tax holiday in addition to these direct payments.
"We know the challenges families are now facing as a result of factors beyond any of our control," said House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch. "The effects of a war in Ukraine and COVID-19's disruptive impacts on global markets are felt by our families at the grocery store and the gas pump. And while no state can curb Vladimir Putin's aggression or singlehandedly reopen world markets still facing the threat of disease, Illinois can provide some relief for local families."
The rebate payments will be sent automatically to Illinois residents who filed 2021 state income taxes and claimed a property tax credit. Those who have not filed can still access the rebates after completing additional filing.
"This was made possible by the budgetary stability Illinois Democrats have worked hard to achieve," said Speaker Welch. "We know there is more to be done, and we'll continue to do the work on behalf of our hardworking families."
The state is also providing property tax rebates for eligible homeowners in an amount equal to the property tax credit they qualified for on their 2021 returns, up to a maximum of $300. The rebate is not allowed if a taxpayer's adjusted gross income for the taxable year exceeds $500,000 for returns with a federal filing status of married filing jointly, or $250,000 for all other returns.
IDOR will certify the list of eligible taxpayers and the rebates will be issued by the Comptroller's Office. Though the 2021 tax deadline was April 18, all qualified income tax filers who file on or before October 17, 2022 will be eligible for rebate payments.
"This $1.8 billion in tax relief is possible because Democrats balanced the budget, eliminated the bill backlog, funded schools, fixed roads – and through responsible financial decision-making – still found ourselves with a one-time surplus," said Governor JB Pritzker. "There are those who might have sent those funds straight back into the pockets of the 1 percent and big corporations instead of working families, but that's not what good government does."
More details about how to claim rebate checks:
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 not file 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 rebates must 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.