Government shutdown continues, Senate votes fail
The government remains closed for the weekend. Two Democrats and an independent voted to end the shutdown, but the 54-44 vote left Republicans short.
ANCHOR checks and inflation refund checks are going out for some Americans in October, but what about a fourth stimulus check in 2025 or President Donald Trump’s possible tariff rebate? Here’s how to track the status of your state or federal tax refund from the IRS, without getting scammed.
There have been rumors and unsupported speculation spreading on social media and some websites about a new stimulus check in varying amounts of $1,390 or $1,702 or $2,000 coming to Americans this year, according to reports, which are false. There has been no official confirmation from Congress or the Internal Revenue Service to support these claims, and any such news should be taken with caution as it could be misinformation or attempted fraud.
The IRS has issued warnings against text scams and impersonators that may mislead you about tax refunds, credits, payments, or new stimulus check amounts by pressuring people for personal and financial information about themselves.
There is an effort called the American Worker Rebat Act of 2025. It was submitted by Missouri Republican Sen. Josh Hawley, and aims to send checks between $600 to $2,400 to American taxpayer families. However, it has not passed through Congress as of yet.
There were three prior stimulus checks tied to COVID-era stimulus programs, the third and last of which had an April 15, 2025 deadline to claim.
There were also several states that were sending out inflation relief checks to residents who paid higher sales taxes due to inflation, such as New York, Pennsylvania, Georgia and Colorado and New Jersey residents are starting to receive their ANCHOR property tax relief payments.
Here’s what to know about eligibility and status updates for new or unclaimed stimulus checks in 2025, inflation checks, Trump tariff relief rebates, DOGE dividends, and IRS federal and state tax refunds.
Is there a fourth stimulus check? How to check eligibility
While speculation about a fourth stimulus check has surfaced on social media and unverified websites, there has been no official confirmation from Congress or the IRS to support this claim and any such news should be taken with caution as it could be misinformation or attempted fraud.
The first stimulus check was for up to $1,200 for individuals and $2,400 for married couples, plus $500 per qualifying child under the age of 17. While the second stimulus check was up to $600 per individual, $1,200 for married couples and $600 per qualifying child under 17.
The third stimulus check was for $1,400 per eligible individual and married couples filing jointly received an additional $1,400 for each qualifying dependent.
The opportunities to claim or file for the first stimulus payment (issued in March and April 2020) or the second stimulus check (issued by Jan. 15, 2021) or the third stimulus check (issued between March and December 2021) have now passed.
The deadline to file for the third and last stimulus check was April 15, 2025; it marked a three-year deadline to claim any tax refunds or in this case, the $1,400 Recovery Rebate Credit for 2021.
It is best to work directly with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) or a reputable tax professional to address missing stimulus payments or claim the relevant Recovery Rebate Credit on your tax return, if eligible.
Even if you received a tax extension, you still needed to file your 2021 tax return by the April 15, 2025 deadline to claim that third stimulus check. There are no extensions or appeals available for missed deadlines, and any unclaimed stimulus payments become the property of the U.S. Treasury.
Are we getting a stimulus check in 2025?
President Donald Trump floated the idea of using part of the government revenue being generated by the new tariffs and returning it to taxpayers of a certain income level in the form of a rebate check, similar to the stimulus checks sent during the pandemic.
Trump floats rebates for taxpayers amid tariff windfall
President Donald Trump says his administration is considering taxpayer rebates as the White House says tariffs have raked in over $100 billion.
A rebate is a partial refund of the purchase price that a consumer paid, often upon meeting certain conditions.
A stimulus check, on the other hand, is a direct payment to encourage spending and stimulate the economy by putting money directly into the consumers’ hands.
In February, Trump also said he would consider the plan to pay out $5,000 stimulus checks to taxpayers in the form of a “DOGE dividend” during a summit in Miami. He explained it as using part of the 20% of the savings identified by Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and giving it back to taxpayers. However, he has not shared any further specifics or details about the possible “DOGE dividend” or its certainty since then.
Who is getting inflation checks?
Several states, including New York, have sent or are sending out “inflation relief checks” to residents who paid higher sales taxes due to inflation. These are one-time payments with varying amounts based on income, with individuals earning up to $75,000 receiving $200, and married couples filing jointly earning up to $150,000 receiving $400.
Pennsylvania, Georgia and Colorado also offered inflation refund checks to property owners or taxpayers in the same vein, but call them “rebate checks” with differing criteria and qualifications.
Who is getting ANCHOR property tax relief payments?
The ANCHOR program offers tax relief to New Jersey property owners and renters that meet specific requirements, according to the New Jersey Division of Taxation. It offers up to $1,750 for homeowners ages 65 or older, or up to $1,500 for homeowners below 65 and renters age 65 or older may receive up to $700, while renters younger than 65 may be given up to $450.
For NJ residents that haven’t already applied, there is still time to apply using the online form. The form is to remain open until Oct. 31.
Where is my federal tax refund?
If you filed your federal taxes electronically and included your banking information, then you may expect a direct deposit within 21 days. If you did not include banking information, then you may expect a paper check refund via the mail within six to eight weeks.
Submitting your return is not the same as the IRS accepting your return. Once it is accepted, you will know it has if you see a “Refund Sent” alert when you check your tax return status online, at which point you won’t have to wait too long for the funds to show up in your account.
Once the IRS approves your refund, it could hit your bank account within days via the direct deposit option.
The IRS has an online tool called “Where’s My Refund” that allows you to check on the status of your refund. Click here.
You can start checking the status of your refund within 24 hours after you e-filed your return. The refund information is updated on the IRS website once a day, overnight.
The online tool requires you to enter your Social Security number, filing status and exact refund amount on the return. It will then respond with a return received (processing), refund approved (preparing to issue refund by date shown) or refund sent (send to your bank or in the mail).
Again, once it shows the IRS has approved your refund, it could hit your bank account within days via the direct deposit option.
The other way to check on the status is to call the IRS at 800-829-1954.
Where is my state tax refund?
Most states have dedicated online portals for tracking income tax returns.
The Delaware Division of Taxation has established an online portal you can access to check the status of your state refund.
To check on Pennsylvania online portal for state tax refund, click here.
To check on New Jersey online portal for state tax refund, click here.
Maria Francis is a Pennsylvania-based journalist with the Mid-Atlantic Connect Team.
