The pandemic-related stimulus checks, including the 2021 Recovery Rebate Credits, have officially been distributed. The IRS made automatic payments to nearly one million taxpayers, totaling $2.4 billion.
These payments aimed to cover unclaimed credits from 2021. While these funds have been sent via direct deposit or physical checks, there’s still a looming deadline for claiming them. If you haven’t claimed your credit yet, time is running out.
Deadline to Claim the 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit
If you haven’t yet filed for the 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit, the deadline to claim it is April 15, 2025. After this date, no extensions will be allowed. Any unclaimed funds will return to the federal government for institutional use. It’s important to note that non-filers will lose access to these credits permanently.
To qualify for the Recovery Rebate Credit, individuals needed to meet certain criteria. Single filers with an Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) of $75,000 or less, and married couples with an AGI of $150,000 or less, were eligible for the full $1,400 payment. However, eligibility phased out for individuals making $80,000 or more and couples making $160,000 or more.
To claim these credits, taxpayers were required to file a 2021 tax return, even if their income was low. Once the deadline passes, the money will no longer be available to those who missed out.
Local Stimulus Programs in 2025
While federal stimulus checks are no longer available, some states have their own economic support programs in 2025. For instance, New York offers payments ranging from $150 to $400 to qualified residents.
States like California and Colorado have introduced “inflation checks” to provide additional financial relief to their residents. These programs are separate from the federal government’s actions and are still ongoing.
Recipients of these payments will typically receive a notification by mail. If you want to check the status of a federal refund, you can use the IRS’s “Where’s My Refund?” tool.
This tool allows you to track your refund status by entering your Social Security Number, filing status, and expected refund amount. For state refunds, each state has its own system; for example, Maine has a portal called Maine Revenue Services.
Rumors of Additional Stimulus Payments
There have been numerous rumors about additional federal stimulus payments. In February 2025, a proposal for a “DOGE Dividend” was mentioned, claiming a potential $5,000 payment per eligible household.
This idea, which gained attention after discussions between Donald Trump and Elon Musk, is still in the rumor stage. It was said to be funded by budget savings and meant to help American families.
However, the proposal has faced numerous challenges and has not advanced. It requires approval from Congress, which hasn’t yet taken place. Given the United States’ current involvement in international conflicts, the likelihood of this plan moving forward is uncertain.
The Fourth Round of Stimulus Checks: Is It Happening?
As for the rumored fourth round of stimulus checks, it seems unlikely. Elon Musk’s departure from the Department of Government Efficiency in May 2025 has left uncertainty surrounding the proposal. Economic experts have raised concerns about the feasibility of the proposed budget cuts, which, so far, have not been verified.
The proposal initially suggested distributing 20% of $2 trillion in federal savings. However, recent reports in April 2025 show that the actual savings amount to about $155 billion, far below the $2 trillion initially promised. This translates to only about $1,000 per taxpayer, which is much lower than the anticipated $5,000 per household.
Despite James Fishback, an advisor to Trump, still promoting the idea, there has been no recent progress. No concrete evidence of legislative development or negotiations has emerged. Moreover, with current global events taking priority, the White House has not made any statements on this matter.