$1,390 stimulus checks: What’s going on?
Is America due another stimulus check? A week ago, rumours started spreading online that the U.S. government would be issuing $1,390 checks to low- and middle-class tax filers. Exciting, huh? But let’s dig into the facts and strip away the hype.
The rumors: Big checks on the way
The grapevine, as rumour would have it, was that the IRS and Treasury Department had approved $1,390 stimulus checks to be distributed to some Americans as early as summer. Social media posts and snippets of news made it sound like a done deal, and naturally, optimism ran high.
The reality: Not so fast
Here’s the truth: The IRS maintains there are no stimulus checks in the pipeline currently. A representative told NBC Chicago, “There is no recovery rebate credit for taxpayers to claim.”
Even if the government was disposed to send out fresh payments, Congress would need to pass a law first—and no such law has yet been passed for fresh stimulus checks.
Where may the rumours have come from?
A December 2024 announcement contributed to some of that confusion. During that month, the IRS said it would make automatic payments to all who had not yet claimed the Recovery Rebate Credit on their 2021 tax return.
That credit was for those who skipped or received less than all of the COVID-19 stimulus payments. The most they would receive was $1,400 per person, and payments would be made by January 2025.
The key point: those weren’t stimulus checks just released, and the deadline for filing in order to get the credit has already expired. There have been no other rebates since.
What are Stimulus Checks anyway?
Stimulus checks, or economic impact payments, are money Congress allocates to spur the economy and assist Americans when they need it.
For example:
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, stimulus payments were enabled by three acts: the CARES Act, the COVID-Related Tax Relief Act, and the American Rescue Plan.
Throughout the 2008 Great Recession, Americans were paid through the Economic Stimulus Act.
Getting the money to people is handled by the Treasury Department, the IRS, and the Bureau of the Fiscal Service. But the rule is this: no Congress-approved law, no stimulus check.
The proposed American Worker Rebate Act
Some politicians are attempting to alter that. Republican Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri brought forward the American Worker Rebate Act in July 2025. His proposal would provide tax rebates to eligible Americans from revenues received on tariffs charged during the Trump era.
Here’s the idea:
- Minimum $600 per person.
- Additional cash for qualifying children.
- Payments might go up if tariff revenues are higher than projected.
- Lower payments for individuals earning more than $75,000 annually.
Hawley declared, “Americans deserve a tax rebate,” and added that his plan would permit employees to benefit from tariffs.
Here’s the catch: the bill hasn’t passed the Senate or the House as of yet. It’s pending in committee, meaning no check is materialising from it anytime soon.
Bottom line for Americans
So what’s the bottom line? Despite all the hype, there are no $1,390 stimulus checks planned for low- and middle-income Americans this summer. Older programs and lingering credits probably helped confuse the issue, but new payments require legislation that hasn’t happened yet.
For now, look for formal IRS news releases and Congressional statements. And remember: if it seems too good to be true — like receiving an unsolicited $1,390 cheque — it probably is.
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