Every year, thousands of Alaska residents eagerly wait to know how much they’ll receive from the state’s Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD) — a unique program that shares oil profits with the people. In 2025, the same system is in place, and as the announcement month approaches, attention is rising.
What Is Alaska’s Permanent Fund Dividend?
The Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD) is a yearly payment given to eligible residents of Alaska from the state’s oil revenue profits. The program was created in 1976, and annual payments have been made since 1983.
The dividend is not a one-time stimulus; it’s a permanent support program that pays citizens their share of the state’s oil wealth.
As of December 2024, the Permanent Fund was valued at $83 billion, according to the Alaska Department of Revenue.
Key Dates for 2025 PFD
The application window for the 2025 PFD closed on March 31, 2025, with over 564,000 applications submitted. Here’s what to expect next:
- September 2025: Official dividend amount announced
- October 2025: Direct deposits begin (first payments expected around October 3)
- March to May 2026: Late payments or corrections for special cases
Who Is Eligible for the 2025 PFD Check?
To qualify, you must meet all of the following:
- Be an Alaska resident for at least one full year before applying
- Have been physically present in the state for at least 72 hours in the past two years
- No felony convictions in the last year
- Must have applied by March 31, 2025
How Much Could the 2025 PFD Payment Be?
The final amount depends on:
- Investment performance of the fund
- Total number of approved applicants
- Legislative decisions (subsidies, bonuses, etc.)
Previous Year Examples:
- 2024: $1,702 ($1,403.83 base + $298.17 energy subsidy)
- 2023: $1,312
- 2022: $3,284 (included $662 energy subsidy)
The 2025 payment is expected to follow a similar trend — somewhere between $1,400 and $1,800, unless a new energy subsidy or tax law is passed.
New Tax Proposals That Could Affect PFD
Two new bills in the Alaska Senate aim to increase revenue by taxing oil companies and online businesses:
Senate Bill 92 (SB 92)
- Would tax S-corporations like Hilcorp, Alaska’s largest oil operator
- Estimated revenue: $100 million per year until 2030
Senate Bill 113
- Proposes a tax on out-of-state online businesses
- Expected to bring in $25 to $65 million yearly
Both face opposition from oil companies and voters, who worry about investment pullbacks and economic risks.
Voter Resistance to Oil Taxes
In 2020, a similar plan to increase oil taxes — Ballot Measure 1 — was rejected by 62% of voters. This shows how divided Alaskans are when it comes to taxing the oil industry, which still fuels much of the state’s economy.