August 2025 stimulus buzz: Will you get another check in your bank account this summer? Check details

Are you still waiting on an inflation relief check or tax refund this year from the IRS or wondering about the fourth stimulus check in 2025? Amid rumours that US citizens will receive stimulus payment of $2,000, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has issued a clarification on whether Americans will receive checks to low-income and middle-income taxpayers by the end of this summer.

On July 25, President Donald Trump floated the idea of sending American taxpayers a tariff rebate check, saying, “We have so much money coming in, we’re thinking about a little rebate. But the big thing we want to do is pay down debt. But we’re thinking about a rebate.”

A few days after the president's tariff rebate comments, Missouri Republican Sen. Josh Hawley announced the American Worker Rebate Act of 2025 aimed at sending checks to Americans.

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Will you receive stimulus check in August?

There have been speculations and rumours on social media that a fourth stimulus check of $2,000 might be received by Americans. But 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. “There is no recovery rebate credit for taxpayers to claim” since no formal legislation in this matter has been passed by Congress.

There has been no indication that a fourth stimulus check will be issued as a result of cost-cutting measures. Any form of stimulus payment issued by the US government would have to be approved by Congress.

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.

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Can you claim stimulus payment now?

The window to claim or file for the first stimulus payment (distributed in March and April 2020), the second stimulus check (sent by Jan. 15, 2021), or the third stimulus check (issued between March and December 2021) has now closed. For the third and final stimulus payment, the filing deadline was April 15, 2025, marking the three-year limit to request any tax refunds, including 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.

Where is my tax refund?

On the IRS.gov site, taxpayers who filed their returns can see their refund status on the "Where's My Refund?" tool. To see the status, you must enter the following information:

Your Social Security or individual taxpayer ID number (ITIN)

Your filing status

The exact refund amount on your return

Once the information is entered, you will see one of the following:
Return Received – The IRS received your return and are processing it.

Refund Approved – The IRS approved your refund and are preparing to issue it by the date shown.

Refund Sent – The IRS sent the refund to your bank or you in the mail. It may take five days for it to show in your bank account or several weeks for your check to arrive in the mail.

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How long will it take for my refund to be deposited?

The timeline for your refund depends on how you filed the tax return.

If you file electronically, your return is processed much faster than if you file a paper return and wait for a check. According to the IRS, most refunds are issued in less than three weeks.

The IRS advises taxpayers not to depend on receiving a refund by a specific date, particularly when making significant purchases or paying bills. Some returns may need further review, which could take more time.

Why is my refund delayed?

There are a bevy of reasons why a tax return gets delayed. Here are the most common reasons, as per the IRS:

The return has errors, is incomplete, or is affected by identity theft or fraud.

The return needs a correction to the child tax credit or recovery rebate credit amount.

The return has a claim filed for an earned income tax credit or additional child tax credit or includes a Form 8379, Injured Spouse Allocation PDF.

The time it takes a taxpayer's bank or credit union to post the refund to the taxpayer's account.

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.