Washington , Stop That Shopping! There are rumors online of new stimulus checks by the end of the year.
But Congress has not approved any new payments, and the IRS is not expected to confirm the checks in the coming weeks.
Here’s a quick look at the facts:
Federal stimulus payments for December 2025?
what do we know:
The last round of economic impact payments was issued in 2021, and any future investigations would require new legislation from Congress.
In 2024, the Internal Revenue Service announced automatic payments to eligible taxpayers who did not claim the Recovery Rebate Credit on their 2021 returns. The maximum payment was $1,400 per person.
No action was required to receive the payments, which were sent by direct deposit or check between December 2024 and January 2025. Recipients were also informed by letter.
The last chance to claim the $1,400 credit was to file a 2021 tax return before April 15, 2025. That deadline has passed, no extensions available.
Read more: IRS direct deposit relief payments in November? Here’s what we know
Trump $2000 tariff dividend proposal?
what do we know:
President Donald Trump has promised to deliver generous tariff dividends, which were first floated on his Truth Social platform in November. He posted that the tariffs were generating so much revenue that “every person will be paid a dividend of at least $2000 (not including high income people!).”
Budget experts dismissed the idea, recalling the administration’s short-term plan for DOGE dividend checks tied to billionaire Elon Musk’s proposed budget cuts. “The numbers don’t check out,” said Erica York, vice president of federal tax policy at the nonpartisan Tax Foundation, according to the Associated Press.
Even Treasury Secretary Scott Besant appeared cautious. Last month on ABC’s This Week Sunday, he said he had not discussed the dividend with Trump and suggested it might not mean a direct check from the government. Instead, he said, exemptions could take the form of tax cuts.
FOX 5 also spoke with NOTUS reporter Violet Zira in November about the possibility of payments. He said that it is difficult to predict.
“Carolyn Leavitt was asked at the White House press briefing whether the Trump administration is committed to sending these checks to the American people? And her answer was yes,” Zira said.
“Since that Truth Social post from Trump, we’ve gotten more information. For example, he said the checks will go to people with moderate to low incomes. Treasury Secretary Scott Besant indicated there will be individuals or families who make $100,000 or less,” Zira said. “So we’re getting more information about the plan, but it’s a little difficult to tell whether it will actually be successful or not. There are some factors going into it that have made some people skeptical.”
Read more: $2000 tariff dividend? What President Trump said about the payment
Incentive Scams and Rumors
Recurring online claims for the $1,702 payment or $1,390 check can often be tracked back to state-level programs, such as Alaska’s Permanent Fund Dividend, or scam posts.
Read more: $1702 stimulus payment? Here’s what we know
IRS stimulus alerts
What you can do:
The IRS is warning taxpayers about fake stimulus payment messages intended to steal personal information.
Here’s how to tell if the IRS is contacting you – or if it’s a scammer.
- The IRS never contacts you via email, text, or social media; Scammers often use fake accounts or links.
- The IRS initiates communication with an official letter or notice, which can be verified through a secure IRS online account or customer service.
- Agents may send notices and call, but they will not leave threatening, pre-recorded messages or demand payment.
- Private agencies may contact taxpayers only after written notification, and all valid collection notices include a matching taxpayer authentication number.
- The IRS has eliminated most unannounced visits by revenue officers to improve the protection of taxpayers and employees.
- More information from IRS online.
Read More: Stimulus Payments November 2025, IRS Direct Deposit Relief Payments and Tariff Dividend Fact Check
The Supreme Court appears to be skeptical about the legality of Trump’s tariffs.
The Trump administration defended its sweeping global tariffs against a highly skeptical Supreme Court on Wednesday. The tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump are widespread and the administration’s decision to impose tariffs on nearly every country in the world – sometimes more than 100% – affects how much you pay for many things, from electronics to clothing and car parts. Fox 5’s Katie Barlow explains.
Source: Information in this article comes from the Associated Press, the IRS and previous FOX 5 reporting.
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