Tax rebate on its way

A bipartisan effort to give Delaware taxpayers a $300 rebate should yield results by the end of May.

The Senate unanimously passed the Delaware Relief Rebate Program April 14, and the bill was signed into law by Gov. John Carney before Easter break.

Checks will be issued to Delawareans who filed their 2020 personal income tax returns. Direct payments of $300 will be sent to individuals; married couples will receive $600.

The rebates are meant to help residents offset higher costs due to inflation, which is causing higher prices from the gas pump to the grocery store and beyond.

“Every taxpayer I’ve ever talked to expects us to manage their money in a way that’s responsible and sustainable over the long term. These direct payments to Delaware families are part of a broader, responsible budget proposal that will invest in education, our economy, and Delaware communities, and increase our reserves to prepare our state for the future,” said Carney.

Republican leadership agreed.

“With prices of gasoline, food, and other necessities continuing to rise, the General Assembly needed to act quickly. I’m proud of the work each of the caucuses in the Legislature accomplished to provide much-needed relief to Delawareans,” said Senate Minority Leader Gerald Hocker, R-Ocean View.

About $230 million will be returned to taxpayers through the rebate, said House Minority Leader Rep. Dan Short, R-Seaford. “My members believe this initiative should be the first significant step in a process to better balance the cost of providing state services and easing the tax burden on all Delawareans,” he said.

For more information, go to de.gov/rebate.