The confusion stems from social media posts and misleading reports suggesting that the IRS had approved additional rounds of payments for low- and middle-income Americans. However, IRS officials have confirmed that no new economic impact payments are planned unless Congress passes fresh legislation, as mentioned in a report by AP.
Rumors of IRS Stimulus Checks Go Viral
On Friday, several viral posts claimed that the IRS had approved $1,390 stimulus checks, sparking widespread speculation. The posts suggested the funds would reach taxpayers by the end of the summer.
But these claims were swiftly refuted. The IRS clarified that any new round of economic impact payments, commonly known as stimulus checks, must be authorized through legislation. Neither the Senate nor the House has passed such a bill.
No new IRS Stimulus Checks Approved for 2025
Officials confirmed that there is no new IRS stimulus check update for 2025. Stimulus checks are not issued solely at the discretion of the IRS or the Treasury Department. They require Congressional approval, followed by Treasury’s distribution.
The Legislation That Never Passed
Some of the speculation appears linked to a proposal by Republican Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri. In July, he introduced the American Worker Rebate Act, which aimed to provide rebates funded by tariff revenues. The proposed amount included at least $600 per individual, with additional payments for children.However, the bill has not advanced. It has neither cleared the Senate nor the House. For now, it remains referred to the Senate Finance Committee with no immediate prospect of becoming law, as confirmed in a report by AP.
How Past Stimulus Checks Were Authorized
It is important to note that past rounds of IRS stimulus checks eligibility were strictly tied to laws passed by Congress. For example:
- 2008: The Economic Stimulus Act authorized direct payments during the Great Recession.
- 2020–2021: Three major pieces of legislation, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, the COVID-related Tax Relief Act, and the American Rescue Plan Act, enabled direct payments during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In each case, Congress enacted laws specifying the payment amounts, income thresholds, and distribution mechanisms. The Treasury Department and the IRS then executed the payouts.
Recovery Rebate Credits Causing Confusion
Adding to the public’s misunderstanding is the IRS’s announcement earlier this year regarding the Recovery Rebate Credit. The agency distributed about $2.4 billion to taxpayers who had failed to claim credits from 2021. The maximum refundable amount was $1,400 per individual.
Those who had not filed their 2021 tax return were required to do so by April 15, 2025, to qualify. With that deadline long past, there are no new credits available.
IRS officials have reiterated that this one-time correction should not be mistaken for approval of new stimulus checks.
Treasury’s Role in Past Stimulus
The Treasury Department, along with its Bureau of the Fiscal Service, managed the distribution of previous payments. These included both pandemic relief checks and earlier stimulus programs during the 2008 recession.
Without Congressional approval, neither the Treasury nor the IRS has the authority to initiate new stimulus checks.
Why the Misinformation Spread
Experts suggest that economic uncertainty, coupled with political rhetoric around tax rebates, created fertile ground for misinformation. Hawley’s proposal, though not passed, may have been misrepresented online as already approved.
Additionally, headlines referencing IRS refunds and delayed tax credits further contributed to the confusion.
What Taxpayers Should Know
For now, there is no IRS approves stimulus checks announcement for 2025. Taxpayers are advised to rely only on official IRS releases and Treasury statements.
The IRS maintains its updates on irs.gov, where verified information about credits, refunds, and other relief measures is published.
Could More Stimulus Come?
While no payments are scheduled, political proposals remain on the table. Hawley and other lawmakers have floated the idea of using tariff revenues or other federal funds for rebates.
However, unless such bills pass through Congress, taxpayers should not expect any checks. As history has shown, economic impact payments are rare and tied to extraordinary circumstances like recessions or national emergencies.
Despite viral claims, the reality is clear: no new IRS stimulus checks eligibility exists for summer 2025. The rumors are unfounded, and taxpayers should avoid misinformation circulating online. Unless Congress enacts new legislation, the IRS has no authority to distribute additional payments.
FAQs
Has the IRS approved new stimulus checks for summer 2025?
No. The IRS has confirmed that there are no new stimulus checks approved for this summer. Any such payments would require Congressional authorization.
What is the latest IRS stimulus checks update?
The most recent update relates to the Recovery Rebate Credit from 2021, which allowed taxpayers to claim missed COVID-19 payments. That deadline expired on April 15, 2025, and no new credits or stimulus checks are available now.