It's always awesome, and pretty rare, to get a happy surprise in your mailbox mixed in with all those bills. People throughout New Jersey may have been surprised to find a check in the mail in the past few weeks.. Have you gotten your Middle Class Tax Rebate check yet? 

Townsquare Media
Townsquare Media
loading...

Listen to Lou Russo mornings on 94.3 The Point and download our free 94.3 The Point app.

The Middle Class Tax Rebate was added into the 2021 budget by Governor Phil Murphy and the check comes with a friendly reminder of that.

Townsquare Media
Townsquare Media
loading...

So, who gets the checks? these checks are sent to New Jersey residents who sent in an NJ-1040 Tax Return and claimed at least one dependent and have a $1 or more tax balance.

There are also additional requirements according to the New Jersey state website, including the fact that you must have been a resident of the Garden State for all or part of 2020. See all the requirements here.

The checks started being sent out in early July and all the initial checks were expected to be sent out in about a six week period, but if you haven't received yours yet, the state says they will continue to send checks as tax returns are processed through the end of this year. You did not have to apply for this rebate.

If you're anticipating yours, or trying to figure out how the state came up with the figure you've already received, here's the formula, and it's actually pretty simple. If the amount on Line 50 of your tax return is less than $500, then you get a check for the amount listed on your line 50.

If the amount on Line 50 is $500 or more, you get a check for $500, according to the state website.It's nice to get more than just bills in that mailbox once in a while..

The Richest Guy In NJ Is Probably Not Getting This Rebate - See the richest person in every state

LOOK: Here are 25 ways you could start saving money today

These money-saving tips—from finding discounts to simple changes to your daily habits—can come in handy whether you have a specific savings goal, want to stash away cash for retirement, or just want to pinch pennies. It’s never too late to be more financially savvy. Read on to learn more about how you can start saving now. [From: 25 ways you could be saving money today]

These are the 25 Best Places To Live in New Jersey

Stacker compiled a list of the best places to live in New Jersey using data from Niche. Niche ranks places to live based on a variety of factors including cost of living, schools, health care, recreation, and weather. Cities, suburbs, and towns were included. Listings and images are from realtor.com.

On the list, there's a robust mix of offerings from great schools and nightlife to high walkability and public parks. Some areas have enjoyed rapid growth thanks to new businesses moving to the area, while others offer glimpses into area history with well-preserved architecture and museums. Keep reading to see if your hometown made the list.

More From Beach Radio