The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has addressed a circulating rumor claiming that the federal government plans to send out $1,390 stimulus checks to low- and middle-income taxpayers this summer.
In a statement to NBC Chicago, an IRS spokesperson clarified that “there is no recovery rebate credit for taxpayers to claim,” since Congress has not passed any new legislation authorizing such payments. Officials suggest the confusion may come from people misinterpreting the recovery rebate credit for 2021 tax returns as new stimulus checks.
Background on previous stimulus checks
The first round of stimulus payments went out in March and April 2020, followed by a second distribution on January 15, 2021, and a third between March and December 2021. The deadline to file for the last $1,400 Recovery Rebate Credit expired on April 15, 2025. Any unclaimed funds from those programs are now considered property of the U.S. Treasury.
Eligibility criteria for federal refunds
Eligibility for federal tax refunds is based on specific conditions. For example, a taxpayer cannot be claimed as a dependent on someone else’s return. According to the U.S. Department of the Treasury, a taxpayer typically qualifies for the full Economic Impact Payment if their Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) is up to $75,000 for individuals and married persons filing separately, up to $112,500 for heads of household, and up to $150,000 for joint filers and surviving spouses. Payments are phased out for incomes above these thresholds.
How to check your refund status
The IRS offers an online tool called “Where’s My Refund”, which allows taxpayers to track their refund. To use it, you must enter your Social Security number, filing status, and exact refund amount. The system updates within 24 hours after electronic filing. It will then display one of three statuses: return received, refund approved, or refund sent.
For additional help, taxpayers can call the IRS directly at 800-829-1954. Based on the IRS refund schedule, most direct deposits should have been issued by May 6, while mailed checks could take until June 16.
Will there be a fourth stimulus check?
The possibility of a fourth payment remains uncertain. James Fishback, CEO of Arizona Investment, suggested that if the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) successfully saved $2 trillion by cutting waste, then 20% of that savings could be redistributed to taxpayers. This idea gained support from Elon Musk, who led DOGE at the time, and President Trump. Under this plan, each of the 78 million U.S. taxpaying households could receive up to $5,000. However, no official approval has come from Congress, the IRS, or the White House.
Separately, Republican Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri introduced the American Worker Rebate Act in July. The proposal would return tariff revenues to taxpayers through rebates, beginning at $600 per individual with additional amounts for children. The rebates would phase out for incomes above $75,000 for single filers. Although the bill has been read twice in the Senate, it has not yet advanced.
