Everyone keeps asking the same thing: is another stimulus check coming? Honestly, the answer is "kinda." If you're looking for a massive $1,200 federal check like we saw during the pandemic, you're probably going to be waiting a while. That specific era of "free money" from the IRS is mostly over.
But wait.
That doesn't mean there aren't checks going out. In 2026, the stimulus game has shifted from the federal government to individual states and very specific tax credits. You've basically got to look at your own state's budget and the "One, Big, Beautiful Bill" (OBBB) that passed last year to see if you're actually getting a deposit.
The $2,000 Tariff Rebate: What’s the Deal?
There is a ton of talk about a $2,000 "tariff dividend." This is the big one people are searching for. President Trump proposed this idea to take revenue from foreign tariffs and give it directly back to Americans.
Here is the reality.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick have both hinted that this would be targeted. They aren't just handing it to everyone. The current talk is an income cap of around $100,000 for individuals or families.
But there’s a catch.
Congress has to approve it. Even with a friendly administration, spending $300 billion to $600 billion is a massive hurdle when the national debt is sitting at $38 trillion. If it happens, you likely won’t see that money until mid-to-late 2026. It’s a "wait and see" situation, not a "check is in the mail" situation.
New York and the Inflation Refund
If you live in New York, you're in luck. The state budget for 2025–2026 actually includes a one-time "inflation refund check."
This is basically a way for the state to give back some of the extra sales tax they collected because prices went up so much. If you filed your 2023 taxes as a resident and weren't a dependent, you're probably getting something.
How much?
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- Single filers making $75,000 or less get **$200**.
- Married couples filing jointly making $150,000 or less get **$400**.
- If you make more (up to $150k for singles or $300k for couples), the check drops to **$150** or $300.
New York started mailing these in late 2025, but because there are 8 million people on the list, the mailing continues well into 2026. Check your mailbox. It looks like a standard government check, not a direct deposit, even if you usually get your tax refund electronically.
The Alaska PFD: The Most Reliable Check in America
Alaskans already know the drill. The 2026 Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD) application season is open right now. It started January 1st and ends March 31st.
If you've lived in Alaska for a full calendar year and intend to stay, you get paid. The 2025 dividend was $1,000, and the 2026 amount will be determined later this year based on investment performance. It is literally the only place in the country where a "stimulus" style check is a guaranteed annual event.
What Most People Get Wrong About the IRS and Stimulus
I see people online all the time saying the IRS is sending out "fourth stimulus checks."
Stop. They aren't.
What people are actually seeing are tax refunds or Recovery Rebate Credits. If you missed the third stimulus check from 2021, you actually have until April 15, 2025, to claim it on a 2021 tax return. Once that date passes, that money is gone forever.
There are also new credits from the "One, Big, Beautiful Bill."
For instance, the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) for the 2026 tax year has been bumped up. If you have three or more kids, that credit can be as high as $8,231. That feels like a stimulus check when it hits your bank account, but it's technically a tax credit.
The "Trump Account" for Kids
There is a new thing called a "Trump Account" established under the Working Families Tax Cuts. Starting July 4, 2026, the government is running a pilot program.
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They will put a one-time $1,000 contribution into an account for every eligible child born between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2028. It’s not cash you can spend on groceries tomorrow. The money has to stay in the account—invested in the S&P 500—until the kid turns 18. It’s more like a "future stimulus" for your children.
Georgia’s Surplus Refund
Georgia is another state that likes to give money back when they have a budget surplus. Under HB 112, if you filed your 2023 and 2024 taxes by the May 2025 deadline, you might be seeing a surplus refund in early 2026.
The amounts are pretty standard: $250 for singles, $375 for head of household, and $500 for married couples. You don't have to do anything extra; they just use your tax return info to send it out.
How to Make Sure You Don't Miss Out
Most of these payments—whether state or federal—rely on one thing: your address. If you moved recently and didn't update the IRS or your state's Department of Revenue, your check is probably sitting in a dead-letter office somewhere.
- File your taxes early. The 2026 filing season officially opens January 26, 2026.
- Use Direct Deposit. It is faster. Period.
- Check your state’s "Unclaimed Property" website. Millions of dollars in stimulus and rebate checks go uncashed every year. Search your name; you might find a check from 2022 you forgot about.
The era of universal federal stimulus might be on pause, but the money is still moving through state capitals and updated tax codes. Keep your paperwork in order, because "who will get stimulus checks" is now a question of where you live and how you file.
Next Steps for You:
Check your state's Department of Revenue website specifically for "2025 Surplus Rebates" or "Inflation Relief." If you are in New York, Georgia, or Alaska, follow the specific filing deadlines mentioned above to ensure your 2026 payments are processed without delays. If you still haven't received the 2021 federal stimulus, you must file a 2021 tax return before the April 15, 2025, deadline to claim the Recovery Rebate Credit.