You may have heard something recently—perhaps online, perhaps through someone you know—that the IRS is sending every American a $3,000 refund check in June. Sounds great, huh? Before you start daydreaming about how you’ll spend it, though, let’s get the facts straight and cut through the hype.
The immediate response? No, the IRS is not sending every home a $3,000 refund check. However, if you’ve recently filed your taxes and you’re in line to receive a refund, it could be around $3,000, depending on your tax situation. That’s where this myth likely originated—some people are getting that amount, but it’s not automatic or across the board.
Who might get a refund?
Here’s why: if you submitted your 2024 federal tax return by the end of May 2025, or if you requested an extension, you might receive a refund this summer. But whether you do and how much depends on a few factors, such as:
- Whether you’re due a refund based on how much tax you paid throughout the year
- If your return was on time and accurate
- If you e-filed or paper-filed
- If you opted for direct deposit or paper check
Mostly, e-filers and those with direct deposit are receiving money earlier.
When will refunds be received?
If you filed May 1 through May 15 and chose direct deposit, the IRS started issuing payments in early June, and they will keep going through June 4. If your payment is coming to you in a paper check via mail, you might expect it from now until June 11.
Submitted between May 16 and May 31? The IRS says you should see your direct deposit by June 6 through June 19 or a paper check by June 13 through June 26.
If you filed a paper return—and especially if it needs to be hand-checked—you can expect to wait even longer. Those refunds take anywhere from late June through late July to arrive.
Monitoring your refund
If you’re not sure whether you are getting a refund or just want to know when it will come, the IRS provides an easy tool called “Where’s My Refund?” It provides real-time data and is the most expedient way to check the status of your return.
Bottom line
There is no $3,000 stimulus or refund check being mailed to everyone in the country. But if you have filed your taxes and you’re entitled to money back, your refund could be coming soon, perhaps even this week. Just remember: it all hinges on your tax return, how you filed it, and if there were complications. So, if you’re waiting around, it’s a good idea to check the status online.
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