You’ve probably seen the headlines. Maybe a TikTok video popped up on your feed with a bright red "BREAKING NEWS" banner, claiming the IRS is sending out a new round of $2,000 checks. Or perhaps your neighbor mentioned something about a "fourth stimulus" while checking the mail.
It’s confusing. Honestly, it’s exhausting.
The short answer? There is no new federal pandemic-style stimulus package. The government isn't just printing money for everyone like they did in 2020. But—and this is a big but—millions of people actually are getting checks or massive tax breaks in 2025. They just aren't called "stimulus checks" anymore.
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If you live in New York, Georgia, or Colorado, or if you have kids, the money is very real. You just have to know which hoop to jump through.
The Federal Reality: No "Stimulus," But a "Big Beautiful Bill"
Forget the word "stimulus" when talking to the IRS. That ship has sailed. However, late in 2025, a major piece of legislation called the One, Big, Beautiful Bill (OBBBA) changed the game for the 2026 tax filing season.
Basically, the federal government isn't sending a standalone check to your mailbox tomorrow. Instead, they’ve beefed up the credits you get when you file your taxes.
For instance, the Child Tax Credit (CTC) has been bumped up. It’s now worth up to $2,200 per child for the 2025 tax year. Even better, the refundable portion—the part you get back as a check even if you don't owe taxes—is now $1,700.
The "Trump Savings Account" and the $1,000 Baby Bonus
Here is something weird that hasn't gotten enough press. Under the new laws, if you have a baby between 2025 and 2028, the federal government is putting $1,000 into a "Trump Savings Account" for that child. It’s basically a state-sponsored nest egg. It isn't cash in your pocket today to buy groceries, but it’s a grand for your kid's future that didn't exist a year ago.
State-Level "Stimulus" is Still Alive and Kicking
While Washington D.C. argues about the deficit, individual states are sitting on massive surpluses. They’re literally giving the money back. This is where most of the "Are there stimulus checks coming in 2025?" rumors actually come from.
New York’s Inflation Relief
New York is the big one this year. Governor Kathy Hochul announced Inflation Refund Checks. If you’re a New Yorker who filed a 2023 tax return and made under $75,000 (or $150,000 for couples), you’re looking at a check between **$150 and $400**.
The state started mailing these in September 2025, and they’re still hitting mailboxes in early 2026. If yours hasn't arrived, don't panic. They're sending out 8 million of them. It takes time.
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Georgia’s Third Round
Georgia is becoming the king of the rebate. For the third year in a row, they’re doing a surplus refund.
- $250 for single filers.
- $500 for married couples.
You just have to have filed your 2023 and 2024 taxes. No extra application. It just... shows up.
The Oregon "Kicker"
Oregon has this unique (and kinda awesome) law where if the state collects too much tax revenue, they have to give it back. In 2025, that "kicker" is worth $1.41 billion. It’s applied as a credit on your return, which basically means your refund is going to be way bigger than you expected.
The $2,000 "Tariff Dividend" Rumor
You might have heard President Trump talking about a $2,000 check funded by tariffs.
Let’s be real: this is currently just a proposal. It’s been floated as the "American Worker Rebate Act" by Senator Josh Hawley. The idea is to take the money the U.S. makes from taxing imports and give it directly to citizens.
Is it happening in 2025? No.
Could it happen in 2026? Maybe.
It needs Congressional approval, and economists are already fighting over whether it would cause more inflation. For now, don't go out and buy a new TV expecting this $2,000 to hit your account next Tuesday.
What About the Missing 2021 Money?
This is the most important "hidden" check. There is a hard deadline coming up.
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If you never got your third stimulus check from back in 2021 (the $1,400 one), you have until April 15, 2025, to claim it. After that, the money goes back into the government's pocket forever. You claim it by filing a 2021 tax return (even if you don't normally file) and claiming the Recovery Rebate Credit.
The IRS recently admitted that about a million people still haven't claimed this money. They’re even sending out letters to remind people. If you get one, don't throw it away thinking it’s a scam.
How to Actually Get Your Money
Most people miss out on these payments because they simply don't file their taxes. They think, "I don't make enough money to owe anything, so why bother?"
That’s a mistake.
Most of these 2025 "stimulus" equivalents—the New York inflation check, the Georgia rebate, the increased Child Tax Credit—are based entirely on your tax return. If the IRS (or your state) doesn't have your 2024 or 2025 return on file, they don't know where to send the check.
Your Action Plan:
- File your 2025 taxes early. Use IRS Free File if you make under $84,000. It costs zero dollars.
- Check your 2021 records. If you missed that $1,400 payment, file that old return before April 15.
- Update your address. If you moved, the state might be mailing a rebate check to your old apartment.
- Watch for "Paper Check Phase-Out." The IRS is trying to stop mailing paper checks by September 2025. Make sure they have your direct deposit info or you might end up with a prepaid debit card that’s a pain to use.
Stop looking for a "fourth stimulus check" and start looking for "tax rebates" and "refundable credits." The money is there, it just has a different name now.
Next Steps for You:
Check your state's Department of Revenue website specifically for "surplus rebates" or "inflation relief" to see if your local government is one of the 15+ states issuing payments this year. Then, verify with the IRS "Get Your Tax Record" tool to ensure you've claimed all prior Recovery Rebate Credits before the April 15 deadline.