Governor Youngkin Announces Tax Refunds for Virginians

Since he took office three years ago, Governor Youngkin has consistently announced tax refunds for residents of Virginia. On Wednesday, he highlighted that robust job growth and a surplus of over $10 billion are paving the way for a record $9 billion in tax relief.

However, not everyone is guaranteed to receive a rebate. Eligibility hinges on whether individuals owed state taxes last year.

To qualify, residents must file a 2024 state tax return by November 3rd. If completed by July 1st, the rebate is expected to be sent out by October 15th, most likely arriving by the end of the month.

David Kenbel, the owner of Kenbel Tax Services, elaborates on who is excluded from the rebate. He notes, “If you haven’t been paying taxes in Virginia or haven’t filed at all, that’s an indication your income might be really low.” Furthermore, if individuals have outstanding debts, such as borrowed funds from Virginia Tax or other state agencies, the rebate will first be applied to that debt.

“Typically, if car taxes haven’t been paid for a couple of years and there are significant loans from Virginia, the rebate won’t reach you; it will be diverted to settle what you owe,” Kenbel explained.

For those eligible, the rebates will be delivered in the same manner as their tax refunds—through direct deposit or paper checks. Individual filers may receive up to $200, while joint filers could obtain as much as $400.

Residents have expressed surprise and delight about the rebates. One local, Songja Sheely, mentioned, “I thought it was a bill at first, and to find out it’s money was such a nice shock.” Another resident, Marcia Mason, shared, “I’m eagerly waiting for something to show up in my mailbox and plan to save it for Christmas.”

Caspian Quigley, a local resident, humorously advised, “If you don’t like money, you might want to check your emails.”

Virginia Tax Rebate Eligibility Criteria

• Taxpayers whose credits reduced bills to $0 last year.
• Individuals solely reliant on Social Security, unemployment, or disability, which aren’t taxed by Virginia.
• Single individuals with total income below $11,950 or couples with less than $23,900, who aren’t required to file taxes.
• Anyone who has outstanding debts with Virginia Tax or any other state/local agency, as their rebate will go towards those liabilities first.