IRS Stimulus Checks Update: No New Payments Approved, Legislative Action Required

Recent speculation about impending stimulus checks has fueled excitement among taxpayers, yet the reality remains more complex. Talk of imminent $1,390 and $2,000 payments from the government is continuing to circulate online, sowing confusion among citizens seeking financial reprieve. However, upon thorough investigation into these claims, it appears that these assertions lack legislative backing and official confirmation from the IRS or Congress.

The notion of new stimulus checks arriving this summer to aid low- and middle-income taxpayers is unfounded. While discussions have surfaced suggesting that stimulus checks will soon be distributed to select groups, neither Congress nor the IRS has ratified such a proposal. In fact, an IRS official clarified that these $1,390 payments will not materialize without Congressional authorization via legislation. Thus far, no bills sanctioning such measures have been passed.

Despite various reports and anecdotal chatter suggesting the impending distribution of a fourth stimulus check, there is no substantive or legislative development to suggest its reality. As the IRS advises, taxpayers should remain vigilant and only rely on credible sources and official platforms such as the IRS.gov to confirm the status of stimulus payments. Fraud and misinformation regarding stimulus payments are prevalent, necessitating caution to circumvent scams.

The American Worker Rebate Act proposed earlier by Senator Josh Hawley endeavors to furnish tax rebates funded through tariff revenues; however, its passage through the legislative chambers remains pending. This proposal, if enacted, would facilitate rebates at least $600 per individual within specified income brackets, leveraging tariff-related revenues. The Senate Committee on Finance is currently reviewing the Act, with discussions ongoing.

Furthermore, Donald Trump speculated about leveraging tariff revenues for rebate checks akin to pandemic-era stimulus payments aimed at bolstering the economy. He also proposed returning savings from government efficiency efforts as hypothetical dividends to taxpayers, although these proposals lack implementation details or legislative support.

Past legislative measures enabled stimulus payments during crises like the Great Recession and the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the procedural requirements for such financial disbursals. These payments stemmed from acts like the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act and the American Rescue Plan Act. Any expectation of new checks necessitates a comparable legislative trajectory.

Concurrently, several states including New York have initiated inflation relief checks to residents to counteract heightened sales taxes due to inflation. However, these payments are distinct from federally approved stimulus checks, reflecting state-specific fiscal strategies and independent criteria.

For those previously eligible for stimulus payments linked to the pandemic, the deadline for claiming such credits has passed. The IRS confirms that taxpayers missed the April 2025 deadline to claim the $1,400 Recovery Rebate Credit, nullifying any latent claims.

Given the plethora of conflicting reports and web-based discourse, Americans are encouraged to disengage from unverified sources and refrain from submitting sensitive information online. Ensuring that IRS records for mail and bank accounts remain current is essential to preempt logistical delays in receiving authorized payments. The IRS’s “Where’s My Refund” tool provides taxpayers with reliable updates on refund statuses.

In essence, policymakers continue to deliberate over prospective financial relief instruments, yet no definitive legislative endorsement exists for new stimulus checks as purported by the rumors. As such, citizens ought to take speculative claims with caution and rely solely on confirmed government communications for accurate information.