Many American taxpayers continue to hold hope for additional stimulus checks in 2025, while others are curious about the DOGE dividend proposal. There are also ongoing inquiries about unclaimed past stimulus payments issued by the IRS.
Unclaimed Stimulus Payments and Expired Deadlines
The IRS has made it clear that if you missed the deadlines for claiming previous stimulus payments, you cannot file for them now. The deadline to claim the first stimulus payment (issued in March/April 2020) and the second stimulus payment (issued before January 15, 2021) has already passed. This means that those who didn’t claim these payments through their tax returns have lost the chance to receive them.
As for the third stimulus payment, a Recovery Rebate Credit of $1,400 for 2021, the deadline to claim it was April 15, 2025. Even with a tax extension, taxpayers needed to file their 2021 tax return by that date to qualify for this credit. No further extensions or appeals are allowed. Any unclaimed funds from these payments will revert to the U.S. Treasury.
Speculation Around a Fourth Stimulus Check
There has been a lot of talk on social media and unverified websites about a potential fourth stimulus check worth $2,000. However, neither Congress nor the IRS has confirmed any such plans.
Taxpayers should be cautious about these claims, as they may be misleading or even part of fraudulent schemes. Always verify information from reliable sources to avoid falling victim to scams.
The DOGE Dividend Proposal: Is It Happening?
In February, former President Donald Trump mentioned the idea of a DOGE dividend during a Miami summit, suggesting that taxpayers could receive $5,000 stimulus checks in the form of DOGE (Dogecoin).
He explained that part of the 20% savings from Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) could fund these payments. However, no further details on the feasibility or implementation of this idea have been shared.
As of now, the DOGE dividend remains speculative and lacks official confirmation. Therefore, it’s important to treat this proposal with caution and await any official announcements from the government or relevant authorities.
How to Track Your IRS Refund
If you’ve filed your 2025 tax return and are waiting for your refund, the IRS offers several ways to track its status. Taxpayers who file electronically and provide banking information can typically expect their refunds within 21 days via direct deposit. Those who didn’t provide banking details will receive a paper check in about 6-8 weeks.
To track your refund, you can use the IRS’s “Where’s My Refund?” online tool. This tool allows you to check the status of your refund 24 hours after e-filing, and it updates daily. You’ll need to enter your Social Security number, filing status, and the exact refund amount.
The tool shows three possible statuses:
Return received: The IRS is processing your return.
Refund approved: Your refund has been approved, and the IRS is preparing to deposit it.
Refund sent: Your refund has been deposited or mailed.
For those who prefer speaking to someone, you can call the IRS at 800-829-1954 for the same information.
Protecting Yourself from Scams
The IRS continues to warn taxpayers about scammers impersonating officials, often asking for sensitive information like Social Security numbers.
To avoid falling for these scams, always work directly with the IRS or a reputable tax professional to address missing payments. If you believe you’ve been targeted by a scam, report it immediately.
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