With rumors circulating about a fourth stimulus check in 2025, many are wondering, will I get an additional money from the IRS?
Here’s what to know about the American Worker Rebate Act of 2025, stimulus checks, eligibility and how to track your state or federal tax refunds.
Who is getting inflation or IRS stimulus checks in 2025? Can I be one of them?
Several states, including New York, have sent or are sending out “inflation relief checks” to residents who paid higher sales taxes due to inflation. These are one-time payments with varying amounts based on income, with individuals earning up to $75,000 receiving $200, and married couples filing jointly earning up to $150,000 receiving $400.
Pennsylvania, Georgia and Colorado also offered inflation refund checks to property owners or taxpayers in the same vein, but call them “rebate checks” with differing criteria and qualifications.
Florida has not yet offered inflation checks this year, or rebate checks since 2022.
New York governor Kathy Hochul said more information about her state’s checks will follow in the “near future.”
Are we getting stimulus checks in 2025?
President Donald Trump proposed using revenue from new tariffs to issue rebate checks to taxpayers with certain income levels, resembling pandemic-era stimulus payments.
He also floated a separate idea in February to distribute $5,000 “DOGE dividends” based on savings identified by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, though no further details have been provided.
The distinction between a rebate and a stimulus check lies in their purpose: Rebates refund part of a purchase after conditions are met, while stimulus checks are direct payments meant to boost consumer spending.
How many stimulus checks have been issued?
Rumors of a fourth $2,000 stimulus check have circulated online, but there is no official confirmation from Congress or the IRS, and such claims may be misleading or fraudulent.
The first three stimulus checks — issued between 2020 and 2021 — ranged from $600 to $1,400 per individual, with additional amounts for dependents.
The deadline to claim the third stimulus check or the $1,400 Recovery Rebate Credit for 2021 was April 15, 2025. Taxpayers who missed this deadline, even with an extension, can no longer claim the payment, and any unclaimed funds revert to the U.S. Treasury.
For unresolved issues, it’s advised to consult the IRS or a trusted tax professional.
Where is my federal tax refund?
If you filed your federal taxes electronically and included your banking information, then you may expect a direct deposit within 21 days. If you did not include banking information, then you may expect a paper check refund via the mail within six to eight weeks.
Submitting your return is not the same as the IRS accepting your return. Once it is accepted, you will know it has if you see a “Refund Sent” alert when you check your tax return status online. At that point, you won’t have to wait too long for the funds to show up in your account.
Once the IRS approves your refund, it could hit your bank account within days via the direct deposit option.The IRS has an online tool called “Where’s My Refund” that allows you to check on the status of your refund. Click here.You can start checking the status of your refund within 24 hours after your return is filed electronically. The refund information is updated on the IRS website once a day, overnight.
The online tool requires you to enter your Social Security number, filing status and exact refund amount on the return. It will then respond with a return received (processing), refund approved (preparing to issue refund by date shown) or refund sent (send to your bank or in the mail).
Again, once it shows the IRS has approved your refund, it could hit your bank account within days via the direct deposit option.
The other way to check on the status is to call the IRS at 800-829-1954.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Are we getting a stimulus check August 2025? What to know and how to track
Reporting by Francesca Abarca, Palm Beach Post / Palm Beach Post
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
