You've probably seen those flashy headlines scrolling through your feed lately. The ones promising a "Fourth Stimulus Check" or a massive "IRS Relief Deposit" hitting bank accounts any day now. Honestly, it’s exhausting. One minute you're hearing about $2,000 "tariff rebates" and the next, someone on TikTok is claiming the IRS is just handing out cash because of inflation.
Let's get real for a second.
There is no federal stimulus check program running in 2025 like the ones we had during the pandemic. If you’re waiting for a $1,400 deposit from the IRS just for existing, you’re going to be waiting a long time. However, that doesn't mean there isn't money moving around. It just has different names now—like "tax rebates," "surplus refunds," or "Recovery Rebate Credits."
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If you want to know how to check for your money, you have to know where to look. Most people are looking at the federal level when the real action is happening in state capitals.
The Truth About Federal IRS Stimulus Checks 2025
Basically, the federal government is done with "stimulus" in the traditional sense. The IRS officially closed the door on the COVID-era stimulus payments recently. If you missed out on the third stimulus check from 2021, the absolute final deadline to claim that via the Recovery Rebate Credit was April 15, 2025.
If you missed that date? The money is gone. It went back into the Treasury's pockets.
Now, there is some chatter in D.C. about new ideas. You might have heard about the American Worker Rebate Act of 2025. Senator Josh Hawley introduced it, and it proposes checks between $600 and $2,400. But—and this is a big "but"—it hasn't passed. It's just a bill sitting on a desk. The same goes for the "tariff stimulus" idea being floated by the Trump administration. While it sounds great to get a $2,000 check funded by import taxes, it's strictly a proposal. No law has been signed. No checks are being printed.
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How to Check Your Federal Status
If you think the IRS still owes you money from a previous year, don't just guess.
- Log into your IRS Online Account. This is the gold standard. It’ll show you every payment sent to you.
- Check "Where's My Refund?" If you filed your 2024 taxes in early 2025, your "stimulus" might actually just be your regular tax refund or an expanded Child Tax Credit.
- Look for Letter 6475. The IRS mailed these out to confirm how much stimulus money you were supposed to get. If your bank account doesn't match the letter, you've got a problem you need to trace.
Why Your State Is More Likely to Pay You
While the feds are staying quiet, several states are sitting on massive budget surpluses. Instead of keeping the cash, they're sending it back to you. This is where people get confused and start calling them "stimulus checks."
Take New York, for example. Governor Hochul announced "Inflation Refund Checks" for 2025. If you’re a single filer making under $75,000, you’re looking at $200. Married couples making under $150,000 could get $400. They started mailing these out in late 2025, and some are still landing in January 2026.
Virginia is doing something similar. They’ve been sending out one-time tax rebates of up to $200 for individuals ($400 for couples). If you had a tax liability in 2024, you're likely on the list.
Georgia is on its third year of this. Thanks to House Bill 112, they're issuing $250 to $500 rebates. It’s automatic. If you filed your taxes, the money usually just shows up.
The 2025 Child Tax Credit "Bump"
Kinda sneaky, but the IRS actually increased the Child Tax Credit (CTC) for 2025. For the returns you’re filing right now (in early 2026), the credit is worth up to $2,200 per child, up from the old $2,000.
A lot of families see this extra $200 per kid in their refund and think it’s a new stimulus check. It isn't. It's just a better tax credit. But hey, money is money. If you’re claiming the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC), just be aware that the IRS is legally required to hold those refunds until mid-February. Don’t expect that cash to hit your account before late February or early March 2026.
Don't Fall for the Scams
I can't stress this enough: the IRS will never text you a link to "claim your stimulus."
Scammers are having a field day with the 2025 stimulus rumors. They’ll send you a text saying your "$1,702 relief payment" is pending and all you have to do is "verify your SSN." Don't do it. The IRS doesn't use WhatsApp. They don't DM you on X. They send old-fashioned, boring mail or they just deposit the money if they already have your info on file.
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Actionable Next Steps
Stop refreshing your bank app and do these three things instead:
- Check your state's Department of Revenue website. Specifically look for terms like "surplus refund" or "2025 tax rebate." If you live in New York, Virginia, Georgia, or Colorado, there’s a high chance you have a check waiting or already sent.
- Verify your 2021 tax return. If you never got that third stimulus check and you did file by the April 2025 deadline, use the "Payment Trace" feature on the IRS website. Call 800-919-9835 if you need to start a formal inquiry for a lost check.
- Update your direct deposit info. The IRS is phasing out paper checks starting Sept. 30, 2025. If they don't have your routing number, your money is going to get stuck in a digital limbo or delayed by months.
Keep your expectations in check. Unless Congress passes a brand-new bill in the next few months, your "stimulus" is most likely coming from your state or your standard tax refund.
Reference Sources:
- IRS Newsroom: IRS to phase out paper tax refund checks (IR-2025-94)
- Investopedia: States sending checks in 2025
- H&R Block: 2025 Child Tax Credit Changes