Virginia Is Writing Checks — Are You Eligible?
The 2023 Virginia General Assembly passed a law giving taxpayers who have a tax liability a rebate of up to $200 for individual filers and up to $400 for joint filers, according to the Virginia Department of Taxation.
Who is eligible?
How do you know whether you're entitled to this rebate, and if you are, how do you proceed to get it?
In brief, if you had a tax liability last year, you are due a check. "Tax liability" is the amount of tax you owe throughout the year minus any credits (such as the earned income tax credit or the credit for taxes you paid to another state), deductions, or subtractions. You can check your eligibility using the state's rebate lookup tool, and all you need to get started are your SSN or ITIN and your ZIP code.
Virginia has also provided animated videos on its site for the following five scenarios, in case you are unsure:
Did you receive Social Security, unemployment, or disability income last year?
Was your adjusted gross income less than $11,950 (individuals) or $23,900 (joint) last year?
Did you take credits, such as the low-income tax credit, when you filed?
Do you owe money to a local or state agency or institution?
Did you have a tax liability when you filed?
A review of these videos will help you understand your status. There are no forms to fill out. However, you must have filed your 2022 individual income tax return by Nov. 1 to receive the rebate. If you already filed your 2022 taxes, no action is needed.
How you'll get your money.
According to the state website, if you received a refund by direct deposit this year, you'll likely receive your rebate by direct deposit in the same bank account, with the description "VA DEPT TAXATION VATX REBATE." All other eligible taxpayers will receive their rebate by paper check in the mail, in an envelope marked from the state's Department of Taxation.
If you've moved in the past year and have a current forwarding order with the USPS, then your check will be forwarded. However, the state cannot update your bank account information. If the bank account where you received your Virginia refund by direct deposit is closed, you'll receive your rebate by paper check.
Of course, the government is keeping a strict accounting of what you owe. In the fine print, it explains that if you owe money to certain government agencies and institutions, the state will use your rebate to satisfy that debt before sending you the remainder in a check. If you owe more than the amount of your rebate, you will get a letter explaining the use of your rebate toward the debt.