What is the about irs stimulus checks
7/24/2025 06:49pm
**Bottom line 📝:**
The IRS is **not currently sending out any new, nationwide “stimulus checks.”** The three federal Economic Impact Payments (EIPs) tied to COVID-19 were completed in 2020-2021, and Congress has **not** authorized a fourth round. Recent online chatter about a new $2,000 or $1,390 check in 2025 is unsubstantiated and, so far, **only rumor** .
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### How we got here
| Round | Legislation | Payment Amount | Key Eligibility Rules |
|-------|-------------|----------------|-----------------------|
| 1st | CARES Act – Mar 2020 | $1,200 per adult + $500 per qualifying child | 2019/2018 AGI ≤ $75k (single) / $150k (joint); phased out above that |
| 2nd | Consolidated Appropriations Act – Dec 2020 | $600 per adult + $600 per qualifying child | Same AGI phase-outs as above |
| 3rd | American Rescue Plan – Mar 2021 | $1,400 per adult & **all** dependents claimed | Tighter AGI caps: full amount up to $75k/$150k, gone by $80k/$160k |
• Those who missed a payment can still claim the **Recovery Rebate Credit** by filing (or amending) their 2020 and/or 2021 tax returns.
• The IRS “Get My Payment” portal is now offline but the “Where’s My Refund” tracker will confirm any RRC credits once a return is processed.
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### What’s circulating online – and why it’s *not* official
1. **$1,390 rumor (summer 2025):** Viral posts claim a one-time inflation relief check is “on the way” this August. There is **no bill in Congress and no IRS implementation plan** .
2. **$2,000 rumor:** Similar social-media graphics suggest lawmakers have quietly approved a $2,000 EIP4. Treasury and IRS spokespeople have explicitly denied this .
Scammers often use such headlines to harvest personal data or collect bogus “processing fees.” Always verify through IRS.gov, not links in emails or texts.
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### What assistance *is* out there right now
1. **State-specific rebates/credits:** More than a dozen states (e.g., CA, CO, NJ) have issued their own cost-of-living rebates. Check your state tax agency’s site.
2. **Expanded tax credits:**
• Child Tax Credit (up to $2,000 per child for 2024 returns, part-refundable)
• Earned Income Tax Credit (up to $7,830 for larger families)
3. **Natural-disaster filing extensions:** Residents in federally declared disaster zones automatically get more time to file and pay.
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### Practical next steps 👇
1. **Double-check past EIPs:** Look at IRS Notices 1444, 1444-B, and 1444-C or your online IRS account to confirm what you already received.
2. **File any missing 2020/2021 returns** to claim the Recovery Rebate Credit if applicable.
3. **Ignore “sign-up links” or “processing-fee” pitches**—they’re scams. The IRS never charges to issue legitimate payments.
4. **Monitor credible sources:**
• IRS Newsroom (IRS.gov/newsroom)
• Treasury press releases
• C-SPAN or congress.gov for any stimulus-related bills
Stay alert, stay informed, and don’t let click-bait headlines steer your financial planning. 👍💡