While millions of Americans benefited from federal stimulus checks during the pandemic, that did not mean the end of refunds to citizens.

Many states have since approved refunds for residents who meet certain criteria. Some have used leftover stimulus funds to finance this additional cash infusion.

While many of the rebates have disappeared in the years following the pandemic, direct payments are still available in several states in 2024.

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“Rebates are becoming increasingly popular with state governments, and for good reason,” said Alex Beene, a financial literacy professor at the University of Tennessee at Martin. News week. “They are a great way to show taxpayers that their money is being used wisely and is helping to solve the problems facing the state that could benefit from additional funding.”

Gasoline tax breaks in Missouri

In Missouri, drivers are eligible to receive a refund for the additional gasoline taxes they paid from July 2023 to June 2024.

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To qualify, you must have consumed gasoline on the highway and used a vehicle that weighs less than 26,000 pounds. To receive the money, both individuals and businesses must fill out Form 4923-H.

You will also need your vehicle identification number and the total number of gallons of gasoline and diesel you consumed, as well as the total amount of the Missouri fuel tax increase you paid for the affected period.

The form is a bit more detailed and requires you to list all transactions with the seller’s name and address, as well as the exact amount of gas purchased. The deadline to submit your information for the gas refund is September 30, and you can claim the money both online and by mail.

Pennsylvania Homeowner/Renter Discount

Meanwhile, Pennsylvania authorities are rewarding both homeowners and renters in the state with a property tax/rent refund program.

The discount ranges from $380 to $1,000, depending on income and housing situation.

The specific eligibility criteria state that residents must have a household income of $45,000 or less and be 65 years of age or older, a widow age 50 or older, or a disabled adult. You’ll need proof of age, income, and the taxes or rent you paid last year.

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro had previously described the rebate as a “lifeline for our seniors and people with disabilities, especially those on a fixed income.”

This year, eligible homeowners and renters also have more time to apply for the rebate, as the state recently extended the deadline to December 31.

Many seniors and adults with disabilities became eligible for the refund last month, and the state said more than 442,000 refunds had been paid out as of July 3.

Washington EV Instant Rebate Program

In Washington, electric vehicle owners now benefit from the state’s EV Instant Rebates Program.

Anyone who has purchased an electric vehicle is eligible for up to $9,000 as long as their income is below a certain limit.

Your household income must be 300 percent of the federal poverty level or less, and the value of the vehicle purchased cannot exceed $90,000 or less.

“We are trying to make these vehicles accessible to as many people as possible,” Governor Jay Inslee said earlier The Washington State Standard“They can wake up every morning and say, ‘I don’t have to buy another gallon of gas,’ and that makes people really, really happy.”

The rebate funds will remain available until June 2025 or until the program’s funds are exhausted.

The majority of available rebates “encourage better choices,” Beene said, while mitigating the impact of inflation. But that doesn’t mean Americans should necessarily expect more direct payments in the near future.

“Whether we see more of this in the future will ultimately depend on the economic performance of each state and the revenue that continues to come in,” Beene said. “But it is an encouraging sign that lawmakers are viewing rebates as an effective way to use taxpayer dollars.”

Many of the rebate programs were funded with stimulus money that was set to expire by the end of the year, meaning states are looking for quick ways to get the money to taxpayers.

“Much of the pandemic stimulus would have to be exhausted or at least accounted for before the end of the year so that it is not returned,” said Kevin Thompson, financial expert and founder and CEO of 9i Capital Group News week. “States are trying to pass this money on to their citizens in a variety of ways, including tax credits for electric vehicles and property taxes, unconditional income distributions, or clean energy plans for low-income earners.”

However, not everyone is in favor of these payments. Some worry about how dependent citizens might become on the refunds and what will happen when the money runs out in next year’s budget.

“These plans have met with strong opposition from MPs, with some saying people might get used to these incentives while others see them as much-needed relief in the current situation,” Thompson said.

“Whatever you think of these programs, only time will tell what long-term impact they have on these cities. But for some, they have been a blessing, helping some people find better jobs, increase their wages and, in some cases, go back to school.”