Now that it’s officially 2026, you may be wondering if those $2,000 stimulus checks will be arriving anytime soon.
Trump first mentioned the payment on his Truth Social account in November, posting the tariff dividend would be paid out to “everyone,” but would exclude “high income people.” Trump then doubled down that the $2,000 payments would be sent out to Americans, “probably in the middle of next year (2026).”
“Next year is projected to be the largest tax refund season ever, and we’re going to be giving back refunds out of the tariffs, as we have taken in literally trillions of dollars,” Trump said during a Dec. 2 cabinet meeting. “We’re going to be giving a nice dividend to the people in addition to reducing debt.
But experts have said that tariff revenue likely won’t cover the cost of issuing such checks, reported USA TODAY.
In September, the Treasury Department said it had generated $195 billion in tariff-related revenue. The Bipartisan Policy Center calculated $194.9 billion in net tariff revenue in 2025, which would come up short of the estimated $300 billion cost of sending the checks.
As we begin a new year, here’s the latest on when that $2,000 check could come.
What would need to happen to get a $2,000 stimulus check?
Any form of stimulus payment issued by the U.S. government would have to be approved by Congress.
According to USA TODAY, a bill called the American Worker Rebate Act of 2025 was introduced by Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Missouri, in July, proposing the use of tariff revenue to issue checks between $600 and $2,400 to American taxpayer families. It was referred to the Committee on Finance, where it received no further action.
Who will get the $2,000 stimulus check?
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Nov. 12 that Trump is considering stimulus checks for families earning $100,000 or less.
$2,000 dividend check date
Trump continues to say that tariff dividend checks would be sent out in 2026, though no official date has been announced.
While talking to reporters on Nov. 17, while in the Oval Office, Trump said “individuals of moderate income” could expect dividends “probably in the middle of next year,” reported USA TODAY.
USA TODAY contributed to this story.
Natassia Paloma may be reached at npaloma@gannett.com, @NatassiaPaloma on X, natassia_paloma on Instagram, and Natassia Paloma on Facebook.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: $2,000 stimulus check update: Latest on tariff dividend checks in 2026
Reporting by Natassia Paloma, El Paso Times / El Paso Times
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
