Rumors about a new round of stimulus checks have circulated again, but federal officials say there are no plans for automatic payments at this time.
What the rumors claimed
Social media chatter and local reports suggested the IRS and Treasury had approved $1,390 payments for low- and middle-income taxpayers to be distributed by summer’s end. Those rumors, however, have been debunked by an IRS spokesperson.
What officials are saying
The IRS spokesperson told NBC Chicago that there is no recovery rebate credit for taxpayers to claim, and Congress has not enacted any legislation to authorize new payments. In parallel, a Republican proposal by Sen. Josh Hawley would use tariff revenue to provide tax rebates to qualified Americans, but it has not advanced in either chamber.
Context and background
Some confusion appears tied to a December 2024 IRS announcement stating that automatic payments would be issued to eligible individuals who did not claim the Recovery Rebate Credit on their 2021 tax returns, with payments expected by January 2025. The maximum amount for that credit was $1,400 per individual, and taxpayers who hadn’t filed their 2021 returns could still be eligible if they filed by the April deadline; no new credits have been announced since then.
What stimulus checks are and how they’ve been used
Stimulus checks—officially economic impact payments—are authorized by Congress through law and distributed by the Treasury Department. Past rounds have occurred through laws passed during the COVID-19 pandemic and earlier economic downturns, including the CARES Act, the COVID-related Tax Relief Act, the American Rescue Plan Act, and the Economic Stimulus Act of 2008. The Treasury’s Bureau of the Fiscal Service has played a role in delivering these payments in past crises.
The latest proposed measures
Sen. Hawley introduced the American Worker Rebate Act in July, proposing tax rebates funded by tariff revenue. The plan would start at a minimum of $600 per individual, with additional amounts for qualifying children, and rebates could scale up if tariff revenue exceeds expectations. Higher income levels would receive reduced rebates, with thresholds set at $75,000 for individual filers. As of now, the bill has not passed the Senate or the House and has only been referred to the Committee on Finance.
What to watch next
There is ongoing political discussion about relief options tied to tariff revenue, but no agreement or legislation is currently in place for new stimulus payments. Taxpayers should stay alert for official updates from the IRS and Congress, and be wary of unverified claims circulating online.
Summary
At present, there is no confirmed plan for new stimulus checks. The only related action on the table involves proposed rebates tied to tariff revenue, which have not advanced in Congress. In the meantime, the IRS emphasizes that no automatic Recovery Rebate Credit payments are due beyond what was already announced for 2021 tax returns, and no new credits have been authorized. Positive note: the discussion reflects ongoing attention to targeted relief measures that lawmakers are debating, which could shape future economic support if approved.