The majority of Americans are wondering if they will have a new stimulus check in their bank accounts this September. The IRS has made it clear there are no plans to provide any new stimulus payments in 2025. All the funds people will get from the IRS are normal tax refunds — nothing else.
While rumours about stimulus checks tend to spread quickly online, the agency has made it clear: no new programmes are being rolled out this fall. If you’re seeing posts claiming otherwise, they’re simply false.
But what does this mean for households hoping for extra help? Let’s take a closer look.
No stimulus checks — here’s why
During the pandemic, the government approved several rounds of stimulus payments to allow families to afford expenses. Those payments stopped years ago, and Congress has yet to approve any more money for 2025.
The IRS doesn’t wish to process normal tax returns, issue refunds, or run ongoing credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit or Child Tax Credit. You’ll get those credits if you qualify when you file – but there’s no special “bonus check” in September.
A real tax horror story shows why you have to be vigilant
Though no stimulus check has been forthcoming, another sob story in the news is tax identity theft. In India, a case that shocked everyone reveals how much worse financial fraud can become when personal information is used for nefarious purposes.
Sudhir, proprietor of a small kirana store in Bulandshahr, was shocked when he received communications from tax authorities that he was the proprietor of six Delhi companies—with turnovers exceeding ₹141 crore (about $17 million).
Sudhir has written that his PAN card (the Social Security Number equivalent in the US) was stolen and utilised to create imaginary companies. He initially received notice in 2022, informed the tax authorities it wasn’t him, but got another notice this year with the enormity of business transactions in his name.
A case has been filed by the police, but Sudhir’s case illustrates just how simple it is for individuals to become victims of financial fraud.
What does this have to do with you
So why does a report about a case of PAN fraud in India have anything to do with Americans who are worried about stimulus checks? Both accounts share one big lesson — guard your personal financial information.
In the US, identity thieves occasionally steal Social Security numbers or IRS information to:
- Establish fake businesses
- Obtain fake loans or credit cards
- File fake tax returns to steal refunds
Victims frequently aren’t aware that anything’s wrong until they get a shocking IRS notice or debt collection call.
Read this later:
IRS Form W-2 in 2025: what is it, instructions, and how to fill it out a Wage and Tax Statement
Safeguard yourself
While there is no stimulus check this September, these are some smart ways to keep yourself safe and get your actual tax refund to the right place:
- Monitor your credit report regularly to detect any suspicious activity.
- Use IRS online tools to check if someone filed a return in your name.
- Never share your Social Security number or personal info unless you’re sure it’s secure.
- Obtain an IRS Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN) — a special code to help protect your tax account.
